An investigation that ended with Santa Barbara County Animal Services impounding 21 dogs and more than 300 birds has prompted the agency to put out a plea for people to foster some animals.
Animal control officers and Santa Maria police officers served a warrant on Wednesday in the city.
Animal Services Director Sarah Aguilar said the agency “has been involved in various issues with the owner for several years” before Wednesday’s operation.
“Thanks to various witnesses and neighbors, we were able to pull together enough evidence for a judge to grant us a warrant,” she said.
Her agency spearheaded the investigation, which apparently involved hoarding, and coordinated with the Santa Maria Police Department to serve the warrant.
While Animal Services staff conducts investigations and writes warrants, they are not equipped to properly serve warrants without support and partnership with an additional law enforcement agency, Aguilar said.
The 21 impounded dogs appear to be Australian Shepherd mixes with a significant amount of inbreeding, Aguilar said.
“Once the dogs are evaluated medically and behaviorally, we will notify the public that they are available for adoption or foster. In the mean time, we have 92 other dogs available to take home,” she said.
As of Thursday morning the county had 103 dogs in shelter and 58 in foster homes, plus 81 cats in shelter and 106 in foster care.
“Fostering a dog already in the shelter helps alleviate potential crowding and creates space for animals arriving through this response and everyday community needs,” Animal Services staff said.
The census also included 91 rabbits and guinea pigs in shelter and 48 in foster home, plus 334 other animals, including the recently impounded birds.
Foster homes also are needed for pigeons, chickens, cockatiels and parakeets seized by the county.
It’s not common for hoarding situations to include birds, Aguilar said.
“Most hoarders are typically folks who have good intentions but have gotten overwhelmed. Primarily we see them with cats, rabbits and dogs,” Aguilar said. “Birds tend to reproduce slower and with smaller clutches.”
For anyone with room for a pet, fostering is simple. Residents can visit any shelter to meet an animal and talk with staff about a good match.
Those interested in fostering birds are encouraged to speak with staff about the birds available and their housing needs. County Animal Services provides all supplies and ongoing support.
All three shelters are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays (closed Mondays) at:
- Santa Maria: 548 W. Foster Road
- Goleta: 5473 Overpass Road
- Lompoc: 1501 W. Central Ave.
For more information about fostering an animal, go to the Animal Services webpage.
Those who can’t foster an animal can still help through donations to the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation.
