Neutering your kitty oƯers several significant advantages! These benefits encompass:
׆ׇ Fighting behavior reduction
׆ׇ Decreased marking and spraying
׆ׇ Reduced urine smell
׆ׇ Prevention of diseases transmitted
via fighting & breeding
׆ׇ Lower roaming risk
׆ׇ Management of unwanted/stray
kitten populations
׆ׇ Potential lifespan increase and
reduced cancer risk
Arrange for neutering this month!
Secure your appointment promptly, availability is limited! Call us at … … …. to schedule! Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for your time and eƯorts to improve the Town of Apple Valley. The cats held at Apple Valley Animal Services are desperate for your help. In the honor of a beloved friend or family member who cares for cats, please demand the cats to be listed on the website to give them a chance for rescue or adoption. The disparity between the dogs and cats is alarming. For example, on January 11 out of the 66 animals listed on the website, only 5 are cats. Only 6 cats with December intake dates were listed.
Based on the December disposition report, 173 cats and kittens were killed. 75 of which were labeled "not adoptable". What measures are taken to categorize them accordingly? 17 cats/kittens with September intake date, and 32 with November intake date were killed in December due to "health" and "not adoptable". Why were they kept in the back for nearly 2 months to become unhealthy and feral?
You can end this mass killing with supporting free/low cost spay and neuter for the residents of Apple Valley, as well as, Trap, Neuter, Release, to control the population. Where is the $100,000 contracted by the county for TNVR?
There is a responsibility that comes with your authority.
With regards,
Shirin Shamloo
Urgent Call for Reform and Accountability at Apple Valley Animal Shelter (AVAS) Dear Apple Valley Town Council Members and San Bernardino County Supervisors, We are writing to express deep concern about the systemic issues at Apple Valley Animal Shelter (AVAS) regarding the treatment of cats. The November Disposition Report and other shelter practices reveal troubling trends that demand immediate action.
In November, the live release rate for cats at AVAS was just 31.6%, according to the shelter’s monthly disposition report of Nov.
As of Dec.14, only 11 cats intake in Nov and ZERO cats intake in Dec were posted on the AVAS website.
In November alone, 96 cats were euthanized, and 12 died, but none of these cats were posted online or included in the daily urgent list.
AVAS has been labeling the majority cats as "unadoptable," with many of them being kittens after policy update since Sep.1, euthanizing them without proper evaluation, and hiding them from public view.
1. Disparity in Treatment Between Cats and Dogs
Key Statistics from the November Disposition Report:
Live Release Rate:
o Dogs: 87% 323 total in the report(excluding dead on arrival, Euthanized: 41, Died at shelter: 1).
o Cats: 31.6% 158 total in the report (excluding dead on arrival, Euthanized: 96, Died at shelter: 12).
The disparity in outcomes for cats compared to dogs is staggering. It is evident that the shelter has the capacity to improve, as demonstrated in treating and adopting dogs.
2.Lack of Visibility and Minimal EƯort for Cats:
In November alone, 96 cats were euthanized, and 12 died at the shelter. None of these 108 cats euthanized in Nov were posted online or included in the daily urgent list, eƯectively condemning them to a hidden death.
On average, less than 30% of cats are posted on the AVAS website, severely limiting their chances of adoption.
Majority of dogs, including those in "holding" or "receiving" areas, are posted on the AVAS website, providing them with greater adoption opportunities.
Vaccination Delays:
Dogs are vaccinated within 3 days of intake, providing timely health protection. Cats, however, are vaccinated 3 weeks after intake, leaving them vulnerable to illness and further diminishing their chances of survival.
This lack of visibility, delayed vaccinations, and minimal eƯort reflects systemic neglect and an apparent disregard for cats’ welfare.
3. Questionable Labeling and Euthanasia Standards:
Since the cat intake policy update in September, the majority of cat intakes have been kittens—generally easy to socialize
In nearby shelters within the same county, over 75% of cats are labeled as friendly, yet at AVAS, 68 cats were euthanized as "not adoptable" in November alone. Additionally, 24 cats were euthanized for health reasons, despite the absence of a full-time veterinarian on-site.
Cats are largely confined to the back-end areas of the shelter, where minimal resources and eƯorts are allocated to them.
Volunteers and rescues are denied access to these areas, leaving the majority of cats unseen and ultimately euthanized without a fair chance.
It appears AVAS is euthanizing cats with little to no eƯort to evaluate, treat, or rehome them. This lack of transparency and eƯort is unacceptable for a public shelter. AVAS has been killing cats at will, out of convenience, and in secret—behavior that must not be tolerated.
4. Accountability and Transparency
The labeling process appears inconsistent and unprofessional, raising questions about the qualifications and accountability of the staƯ involved. Decisions to euthanize cats are being made with minimal eƯort to evaluate, treat, or rehome them, and it seems that AVAS is euthanizing cats out of convenience rather than necessity.
We demand accountability for the decisions leading to the mass euthanasia of cats at AVAS:
Who is making these decisions?
What qualifications do they have?
Why are so many cats being labeled as "not adoptable" or killed for minor health conditions?
We call for the immediate replacement of personnel responsible for these decisions and replacing personnel who have contributed to this mass euthanasia.
5. Lack of Essential Programs and Resources for Cats
Apple valley town fails to implement key programs essential for reducing the euthanasia rate and improving outcomes for cats:
No Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program: This is critical for managing community cat populations and preventing overcrowding.
No Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program: Expanding access to aƯordable spay/neuter services would significantly reduce shelter intake.
Without these programs, AVAS perpetuates a cycle of unnecessary euthanasia.
4. Urgent Requests for Reform
To address these issues, we respectfully request:
1. Transparency:
o Require AVAS to list all cats and dogs on its website, including those in holding and receiving areas within 3 days of intake.
o Publish intake, outcome, and euthanasia data monthly.
2. Accountability:
o Investigate the personnel responsible for labeling and euthanizing cats and hold them accountable.
o Replace staƯ engaged in systemic neglect or misuse of euthanasia practices.
3. Resources for Cats:
o Allocate qulified resources to ensure timely vaccinations, proper evaluations, and medical care for all cats.
o Establish TNR and low-cost spay/neuter programs to control the population and reduce intake.
4. Policy Changes:
o Prohibit euthanasia of animals without documented evaluation by qualified personnel.
o Prioritize medical care and adoption eƯorts over euthanasia.
The practices at AVAS are a betrayal of the public trust and a failure to fulfill the responsibilities of a taxpayer-funded shelter.
The shelter's treatment of cats—hiding them from public view, delaying vaccinations, mislabeling their adoptability, and euthanizing them without eƯort to save them—is unacceptable.
We demand accountability, reform, and transparency to ensure AVAS becomes a place where all animals, including cats, are given a fair chance at life.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.