Case Study: Out of the Box Animal Rescue

Summary: In 2020, despite OOTB’s questionable history, including a dog’s death, they proposed a partnership with OCAS. OOTB’s president faced accusations of threats and poor conditions. OCAS considered the alliance due to some positive references and a dubious inspection. An OCAS-transferred dog, Samson, deteriorated under OOTB. OCAS’s policies and oversight highlight improvement areas.

On August 15, 2020, reports surfaced that Out of the Box Rescue (OOTB) sought a partnership with Orange County Animal Services (OCAS). Concerns about OOTB arose due to negative feedback and documented issues, including a dog’s death and legal fines. Notably, OOTB’s president allegedly threatened local shelter staff, and there were reports of poor conditions at their premises.

Despite these concerns, OCAS considered the partnership, citing positive references from two shelters and a veterinarian, and after an on-site inspection deemed satisfactory. Yet, notable discrepancies include OCAS proceeding without a complete reference check, alarming photos from their inspection, and over 25 counts of animal cruelty charged against OOTB involving some OCAS dogs. One of many OCAS transfers is highlighted below, Samson, who deteriorated drastically under OOTB’s care.

Further, OCAS’s decision-making and practices have been under scrutiny. The issues raised are their perceived emphasis on live release rates as a success metric, lack of thorough screening for adopters, inconsistent inspections of rescue partners, and lack of a comprehensive animal enrichment program. Comparatively, other larger shelters have more robust protocols in place, suggesting areas of improvement for OCAS.