SEAACA Fact Check

The claims addressed on this page convey demonstrably false information about SEAACA’s Animal Care and Control services. These falsehoods regarding SEAACA programs, services, staff, events, etc., have either been forwarded by members of the public or encountered by agency personnel. They are not simply expressions of opinion but are verifiably incorrect information. Likewise, the clarifications are not opinion, declarations of condemnation, or criticism. Each fact check is designed to promote full transparency and understanding, and is provided here for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact us at 562-803-3301.

Claim: (January 2024) What has created an urgent exit of male dogs at SEAACA? What are they sick with? 

FACT: Like any highly populated environment such as a boarding facility or animal shelter, there are a number of health variables including but not limited to Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC).

On Friday, January 5, 2024 SEAACA circulated a mass email to community members and partners sharing two confirmed cases of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus. The email’s opening paragraph read, “SEAACA continues to seek community assistance to help create exit strategies for animals who are in need of assistance due to various reasons. SEAACA has had 2 confirmed cases of the highly contagious, Streptococcus Equi Subspecies Zooepidemicus also known as "Strep Zoo" which has exposed dogs in the male-side housing kennels of the Care Center.”

SEAACA openly shared this information in an “All Alert Report” email to bring attention to rapidly seek  outlets for the Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus exposed dogs. Provided below are the outcomes of the Strep Zoo exposed dogs circulated on the January 5, 2024 mass email report.

Owner Claim 0
Adoption or adoption commitment by public and Adoption Partners (Rescue) 18
Humanely Euthanized 16
Currently in SEAACA's Care in need of exit. 0
Total 34

Claim: SEAACA is not quarantining dogs that have been exposed to Strep zoo nor are they cleaning with the right products.

FACT: As of, Friday, January 5, 2024, SEAACA’s main male dog kennels have been shut down to new intake to reduce potential exposure.  The existing, exposed population remains under quarantine.  With the use of PPE and release of dogs through an external male kennel door, SEAACA’s team continues to care for the remaining dogs on the male side just as they would be in any other area of the Care Center. 

 This main housing area of the kennels cannot reopen until all exposed dogs have been exited.

SEAACA uses Rescue as a cleaning solution as it is effective in eliminating multiple viruses and bacteria.

Claim:SEAACA is not cleaning with the proper cleaning solution.

FACT: SEAACA uses Rescue as a cleaning solution. Staff undergoes extensive training for safety protocols, including handling hazardous/contagious waste. This includes changing gloves, the use of PPE and sanitizing collection tools between each kennel cleaning to prevent cross-contamination.‌

Claim: SEAACA is not at full capacity. They have room to hold more animals and should not euthanize.

FACT: SEAACA has had to limit kennel capacity so the general male side kennels do not expose any new intake. This section of the kennels cannot be thoroughly sanitized while dogs are occupying that specific area. This has in fact reduced the number of kennels available.

Put simply, the longer the exposure to the infected environment and the higher the number of dogs exposed, the higher the chances are that other dogs will become infected with disease or illness.

SEAACA has also been asking dog finders to hold on to the dog(s) rather than bringing them to the Care Center to limit any potential new exposure.

SEAACA cohouses many animals that come into the Care Center. Ideally, there would be less animals in SEAACA’s care to reduce or eliminate cohousing. Kennelmates have a higher likelihood of contracting diseases and viruses from one another.

SEAACA seeks to hold animals for the longest feasible time to encourage redemption or adoption.  Unfortunately, the limited kennel space at SEAACA imposes practical limits on these holding periods if animals are not redeemed or adopted. Adoption holds can be placed from the very first date by both the public and Adoption Partners.  The availability date is the point in time that an adoption can occur.

Additionally, as of December 15, 2023, SEAACA has also been notifying our community and adoption partners that, “SEAACA’s Care Center will undergo a maintenance project in early 2024. In preparation, SEAACA will remain in communication with Adoption/Community Partners. This project limits SEAACA's dog housing capacity at the Care Center, we appreciate all your support and understanding. More information will be shared as it becomes available, including our January adoption promotion.”

 Further capacity information can be found on this Fact Check page under the tab, “SEAACA can house 200 dogs without facing overpopulation.”

Claim: SEAACA is mass Euthanizing 47 animals

Fact: 47 dogs’ identification numbers were circulated by community members on social media and by mass email. As of 1:30 pm on August 29, 2023, the 47 dogs had the following dispositions & statuses:
 
Owner Claim 0
Adoption Partner(Rescue) 21
Public Adoptions Completed & Pending Public Adoption Appointments 6
Humanely Euthanized 4
Currently in SEAACA’s Care in need of exit. 16
Total 47

 

Claim: Some puppies can survive Parvo

FACT: While it's true that some canines can survive Parvo, most cases require hospitalization and intensive medical treatment. Proper treatment can increase the chances of survival for both dogs and puppies. SEAACA is not a full-service or specialty veterinary facility, which is why it collaborates closely with the community to create exit strategies and reduce the risk of infecting other canines.
 

Claim: SEAACA is not testing for Parvo.

FACT: Parvo testing has been a standard practice at SEAACA for many years. Since August 2023, there has been an increase in cases, prompting additional measures. Canines 12 months old and younger are now tested both before intake and again during a specific stage. It's important to note that this additional testing does not eliminate the possibility of Parvo exposure, as canines can test negative during the incubation period before shedding the virus.
 

Additional Efforts:

  • SEAACA uses Rescue as a cleaning solution to combat Parvo because it is effective in eliminating the virus.
  • Additional "pooper scoopers" have been added to minimize the potential spread of the Parvovirus from kennel to kennel. This is achieved by reducing contact between fecal matter and cleaning tools.
  • SEAACA continues to vaccinate canines for Parvo upon intake.
  • Staff undergo extensive training for safety protocols, including handling hazardous/contagious waste. This includes changing gloves and sanitizing collection tools between each kennel cleaning to prevent cross-contamination.

Claim: SEAACA dogs get parvo 5 times a month at their location..

FACT: Parvo outbreaks are unpredictable and may vary from month to month. There have been months with no reported cases of Parvo. The timing of a dog testing positive for Parvo or showing symptoms is hard to predict, and this uncertainty presents challenges for intake management.

Claim: SEAACA can house 200 dogs without facing overpopulation.

FACT: SEAACA's shelter capacity is influenced by various factors, including the size of animals in appropriate enclosures (e.g., a 65 lb. Husky vs. an 11 lb. Chihuahua), the ability to cohouse animals safely both behaviorally and medically, physical kennel availability, the number of incoming and exiting animals, kennel closures for disinfection and isolation due to communicable diseases (no new intakes are permitted until disinfection is completed), staffing shortages, and more. Shelter capacity is a complex and dynamic issue.

Claim: Isn’t California supposed to be a “no-kill” State?

Fact:The 5 year, “no-kill” goal was shared by Governor Newsom in January of 2020. Additionally the Governor allocated funding to assist animal welfare organizations. The allocated funding is being distributed through a program called, Cal For All Animals. For further information about Cal For All Animals, visit, www.californiaforallanimals.com/about/history.

Although the funding provides tremendous support for animal welfare agencies like SEAACA, it is not an immediate solution to pet overpopulation nor did it change the status of The State of California to “no-kill” overnight. However, the funding is instrumental to support organizations like SEAACA with the goal to continue to increase animal lifesaving.  SEAACA has benefited from this program by receiving the installation feline cat portals at the Care Center. Learn more about feline cat portals, here.

In addition to the cat portals SEAACA was awarded funding to support pet adoptions and pet retention. A portion of SEAACA’s grant funding specifically supports SEAACA’s Big Meow Program. The Big Meow program helps to reduce unwanted litters of kittens. The funding also helps to support animal placement though various adoption promotions at SEAACA.

SEAACA strives to keep animals home, return animals home if they are lost  and  find placement for those adoptable animals that remain unclaimed or are abandoned.

SEAACA seeks ongoing support from a continuously expanding network of community and adoption partners for placement of adoptable animals.

Note: The term, “no-kill” can have various definitions based on the interpretation of individual or group.

Claim: More than ever I see information for urgent animals at SEAACA.

Fact: This is true. SEAACA has continued to expand communications & outreach efforts to community members to increase animal lifesaving. These efforts have been to bring awareness of animals that are abandoned, unclaimed or not adopted. Although SEAACA plays a role with our community’s lost and abandoned pets, SEAACA calls on community members and partners to provide exit strategies. We collaborate with the community to “Share the Care”.

Some animals spend a significant amount of time at the Care Center and others are either sick or injured and in need of additional care beyond SEAACA’s capacity. SEAACA shares this information in hopes of community members will provide outlets. Each animal is evaluated individually.

Although SEAACA’s dedicated team provides care for the animals at our facility, the goal is to have the animals safely return back home, placed in a new permanent home, in foster care, with an Adoption Partner or transferred to a another agency with kennel occupancies as soon as possible. SEAACA is a temporary holding facility. Even with the team’s best efforts, SEAACA does not have the resources and space to humanely keep all animals indefinitely. SEAACA recognizes that animal shelters can be stressful which impacts their physical and mental health.

In addition to the animals in SEAACA’s care, SEAACA continues to asses and implement various strategies to keep animals home and from entering our care. SEAACA’s Team remains committed to working toward solutions and resolutions to increase placement and owner-pet retention.

SEAACA is grateful for the ongoing support and efforts from our community partners. Furthermore, to increase animal lifesaving, SEAACA welcomes community members and groups to collaborate with our team of dedicated professionals.

Claim: SEAACA should scan for microchips to get pets home.

Fact: The Animal Care Technicians and Field Officers scan all animals upon intake with universal microchip scanners. The animals are also rescanned at the time of adoption, veterinary treatment or humane euthanasia with universal microchip scanners.

SEAACA’s Field Officers carry universal microchip scanners in their units. In many cases, pets are returned to their owners in the field without coming into the Care Center because of a registered, traceable chip.

Unfortunately, on a regular basis, microchips are discovered that do not have a registered owner or the information provided is outdated.

Claim: SEAACA is high kill.

Fact: SEAACA’s statistics can be found here on our statistics page, seaaca.org/about-us/statistics. SEAACA strives to reduce humane euthanasia and calls on all members of the community to be a part of the long term solution. Additionally, SEAACA continues efforts to educate the public and work collaboratively with community partners.

Claim: SEAACA will not pick up a cat in my neighborhood.

Fact: SEAACA continues to actively receive those felines who are sick, injured or otherwise suffering. SEAACA, consistent with majority of animal care and control providers in the region and across the country, is not receiving those who are healthy (including non-friendly, previously referred to as “feral” cats).

This feline intake modification was implemented in March of 2020 after careful consideration and review of recommendations from a variety of sources relevant to the animal care and control industry.

Additionally, finders of kittens can visit, seaaca.org/field-services/kittens for information and support.