Hello Apple Valley,
I am writing today to bring to your attention an urgent matter involving stray cats in your town. I love cats and all the love that they provide. The Apple Valley Animal Shelter is killing cats and kittens at an alarming rate and speed. In 2023 AVAC euthanized 2313 cats and kittens and this has increased in 2024. I am a part of a Southern California Cat Rescue Group and we see the daily flood of trapped cats getting brought into the shelter and they dont have a good chance of getting out. According to AVAC statistics, over 93% get euthanized and less than 1% get adopted. Some are euthanized due to easily treatable medical conditions, some just days after their quarantine hold is over, some the very same day they become available for adoption they are heartlessly euthanized. The cats simply have no chance at AVAS and it's heartbreaking to see. I've seen mommas and their entire litters get euthanized simply because they dont give them the time to network with a local rescue and foster home, they would rather kill them all and not deal with it. Who kills healthy mommas and all thier babies like this? This is immoral behavior and it is in violation of AB 1881, The Animal Bill of Rights Act, which protects an animal's right to a comfortable life, free from fear and anxiety with freedom from exploitation, cruelty and neglect. AVAS practices are unacceptable in a first world class city like Apple Valley, California. One of the biggest challenges is the Leash Law that applies to both cats and dogs and allows the trapping and killing of all Outdoor/ Stray/ Lost cats.
Please work to revise the Leash Law to allow the free roaming of outdoor "fixed" stray cats through TNR or TVNR programs that Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release. TNVR programs are proven to work and work well in neighboring county cities throughout Los Angeles County, Riverside County, Orange County and San Diego County to effectively and humanely manage cat populations. The cat rescue community applauds efforts made in San Bernardino County to initiate TNR programs, initiate Animal Fostering Programs, and a mobile clinic to support community cats. These efforts can't come soon enough, animals are on the Euthanization list and getting killed everyday in Apple Valley.
Thank you,
Matthew Torian