Residents urge county action after shelter announces changes to euthanasia extensions

Multiple animal-welfare advocates told the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on March 11 that county shelter practices are harming efforts to save dogs and that a newly announced policy change will reduce chances for rescues and adoptions.

Corinne Cooper, identifying herself as an animal advocate, said the shelter had informed rescuers it would "no longer allow extensions for dogs on euthanasia list," and described extensions as essential because rescues and foster families often cannot meet potential adopters on short notice. Cooper said the shelter's limited hours and the geographic constraints of rescues mean that extensions give time for lifesaving matches: "Every extension granted has saved lives in my experience."

Other speakers, including Irina Ditlowska and Bara Sapir, urged the board to intervene and asked supervisors to work with the shelter to establish a more rescue-friendly process, request a moratorium on the immediate removal of dogs from the list, and help expand outreach and foster recruitment. Sapir said 18 dogs were scheduled for euthanasia the following morning and asked the board to request extensions for those animals while the county and rescue community develop a better plan.

Board members did not take immediate policy action during the meeting but supervisors and advocates said they planned follow-up meetings with shelter staff. Advocates asked the board to use its communications channels to help recruit fosters and adopters and to convene an ad hoc committee that would include rescue groups and staff to develop alternatives to the reported policy change.

Speakers said they will continue to press the county for policy changes and asked for transparent reporting of shelter intake, outcome and extension data so the public and rescue partners can coordinate more effectively.