A string of public commenters at the San Bernardino City Council meeting on issues surrounding the city animal shelter said the facility is “in crisis,” citing large numbers of animals dying and shortcomings in medical care, staffing and intake practices.

The concerns were raised during the public comment portion of the meeting by residents and rescue volunteers who said animals are arriving dead, are euthanized en masse, or leave the shelter sick and untreated.

A resident who identified herself only as Georgia said: "In September, I counted 489 dead animals...To date, we have 3,563 animals that are dead. 1,938 of those animals were euthanized. 1,281 of those animals were brought in dead...344 died in custody." Georgia also said rescues and adopters are deterred by animals leaving the shelter injured or ill.

Hector Ruiz Romo, founder of the nonprofit Red Line Rescue, told the council he and other rescues face impossible deadlines and gaps in basic medical requirements when pulling animals. "Rescues are expected to claim dogs by 2PM and remove them the same day. A deadline that makes saving lives nearly impossible when dozens are listed at once," Ruiz Romo said. He added that animals are sometimes released without rabies shots or spay/neuter, and that multiple unaltered males housed together have led to fights and serious injuries.

Volunteer Stephanie Lenfesti described specific operational failures she said volunteers and rescues observe daily: mislabeling, inconsistent screening of adopters, insufficient kennel staffing, inadequate neonatal care for kittens and delays at the gate that prevent timely rescue pulls. "Clear accountability and ongoing staff training are essential to prevent mistakes that cost lives," she said. Lenfesti also asked the council to permit volunteers to move dogs to a satellite center to relieve kennel stress and to authorize regular roundtable meetings between rescues and shelter management.

Speakers repeatedly cited disease outbreaks. Ruiz Romo said a distemper outbreak has persisted more than six months and that responses have trended toward "mass euthanasia instead of prevention or treatment." Several commenters urged enforcement of spay-and-neuter rules and penalties for backyard breeders as long-term measures to reduce shelter intake.

Volunteers and rescuers also described operational donations and partnerships that they say have not translated into improved outcomes. One speaker said outside organizations provided mobile clinics and grants, but that conditions at the shelter have not improved commensurately.

Councilmembers and staff acknowledged the comments during council announcements and encouraged volunteerism. Councilmember Juan Figueroa (Mayor Pro Tem) noted a foster program and encouraged residents to consider fostering. Councilmember Kim Canas said commissioners and staff should continue to pursue transparency and performance metrics for the shelter.

The council did not take formal action on the animal shelter during the meeting; comments were received during the public-comment period and several councilmembers said staff will follow up. Speakers asked the city to provide clearer reporting on shelter metrics, to prioritize veterinary capacity and to create more predictable, rescue-friendly procedures.

Residents and rescue leaders asked the council for three immediate items: (1) guaranteed vaccinations and basic medical care upon release to rescues or adopters, (2) predictable rescue pull procedures and sufficient gate staffing, and (3) enforcement and funding for spay/neuter programs and penalties to reduce intake.

The public comment record included multiple offers from volunteers to assist with operations and a request for the council to consider an operational manager to oversee kennel staff and rescue coordination.

Ending

Speakers concluded by urging the council to act on operational fixes rather than interim measures. No ordinance, contract or funding decision was made during the meeting; commenters requested follow-up and greater transparency from city staff.