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Residents urge reinstatement of Carlsbad shelter volunteer program, warn of overcrowding and euthanasia
Summary
Multiple residents told the board that the volunteer program at the Carlsbad animal shelter has been inactive for over a year, linking the suspension to overcrowding, reduced enrichment for animals and increased euthanasia; speakers asked supervisors to prioritize reinstatement and spay/neuter investments.
During non‑agenda public comment on March 3, several residents and advocacy group representatives urged the Board of Supervisors to restore volunteer programs at county animal shelters, citing sustained volunteer exclusion at Carlsbad, overcrowding at Carlsbad and Bonita shelters, and concern for animals' welfare.
"The volunteer program in the Carlsbad shelter must actively be reinstated and properly managed," a caller who identified herself as Blair said. "Volunteers are essential. They reduce staff burden, improve animal outcomes, and strengthen community engagement." Kelsey Coglin, speaking as a voting constituent for Supervisor Lawson Reamer, told the board that prospective volunteers have been turned away for more than a year and implored supervisors to "take immediate concrete action to reinstate this program."
Speakers tied the volunteer gap to operational problems, arguing that insufficient spay and neuter access is a root cause of shelter overcrowding. "Investment in low‑cost spay and neuter programs is the single most effective long‑term solution," Kelsey Coglin said. Multiple callers asked the board who is accountable for hiring or assigning staff to manage volunteer programs and requested follow up from supervisors.
Other callers described individual incidents of neglect or cruelty involving horses and called for better enforcement and prosecution of animal‑cruelty cases. Advocacy organizations on the phone asked the board to treat animal cruelty as a serious public safety issue and to ensure enforcement and prosecution resources are adequate.
Board action: these remarks were delivered in public comment; no formal board action on shelter staffing or policy was recorded during the March 3 meeting. Supervisors acknowledged receipt of concerns and staff offered to follow up with callers where possible.
