Animal welfare advocates raised urgent concerns at the Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting on October 22, 2024, spotlighting the troubling state of local animal shelters. Julie Virga, representing the nonprofit watchdog organization Fix Our Shelters, delivered a passionate plea against the board's recent approval of a $2.5 million contract with consultant Kristin Hasson, who has been linked to high euthanasia rates and poor shelter conditions.

Virga criticized the board for bypassing its own policies in awarding the contract, arguing that it was inappropriate to pay Hasson to rectify issues she allegedly helped create. "Animal advocates from across our country are watching what is happening here," she stated, emphasizing the widespread dissatisfaction with the current management of Riverside County shelters.

The speaker highlighted alarming issues, including inhumane treatment of animals, mismanagement, and violations of state laws, such as Hayden's Law. She pointed out that under Hasson's guidance, shelters have reportedly turned away animals and failed to prioritize spaying and neutering, contributing to a growing population of stray animals.

Virga's remarks underscored a broader national concern regarding animal shelter practices, as she called for immediate action to address the "madness" of high euthanasia rates in California, which she claimed leads to the deaths of over 100,000 animals annually. The meeting concluded with a call for accountability and a demand for the cancellation of the controversial contract, as advocates vowed to continue their fight for better conditions for animals in Riverside County.