Our fair city is truly unlike any other. Just back from a few weeks in Washington D.C. and NYC, we have a new appreciation for the mind-bending, geographic sprawl of Los Angeles.
On the evening of July 4, we witnessed the organizational skill of NYPD in action as officers coolly directed swarms of party-peeps on and off massive barges moored on the Hudson River without ever breaking a sweat in spite of the fact that the temperature and humidity came close to triple-digits.
Our subway rides, including many through the less monied parts of the boroughs at all hours of the day and night, were a revelation. The cars are clean, sleek, quiet, air-conditioned, fresh-looking (the graffiti is gone), definitely not filthy, scarred and scary like LA’s beleaguered Red and Purple Lines.
Dig it: the population of Los Angeles is approximately 4 million, while NYC’s population is more than double that size. In New York, those 8 million-plus residents are contained within about 304 square miles, while LA’s modest-by-comparison population spreads out into 502 square miles. These surprising ratios mean that lots of life in LA falls through the cracks, so to speak, into myriad blind spots. And this becomes relevant when we try to better understand how to help shelter animals get adopted.
This brings us to the City of Redlands, 65 miles or so east of our Pasadena burg. Redlands Animal Control may be one of the least-visited in our region, meaning euthanasia rates there are perhaps the highest in the county. One contributing factor: This location apparently lacks the resources to self-promote in the form of social media and all the rest, so we’re giving Redlands the spotlight this week.
Reviewing the case files, some of the animals here arrived over a year ago. Typically, the reason that these particular animals are still alive is because they are in foster care. This does not mean, however, that they are entirely safe from eventual euthanasia. Fosters cannot always commit to forever.
Sometimes, a foster’s residence or living arrangement may change—new landlord—and this new arrangement forbids pets. Other life circumstances may intervene, like an illness or injury. And frankly, sometimes fosters simply get burned out.
Don’t judge—help instead. If you’re ready to add to your companion-animal family, consider road-tripping to give an overlooked pet a break. Photos included here were supplied courtesy of Redlands Animal Control.
About Redlands Animal Control
- 504 Kansas Street, Redlands, CA 92373
- 909-798-7644
- Closed Sunday and Monday
- Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Meet PENNY #A057731
- Female canine
- Breed: Hound mix
- Age: 2 years, 5 months old
- Penny arrived here in February 2023
Meet BISHOP #A055971
- Male canine
- Breed: GSD
- Age: 4 years old
- Bishop arrived here in February 2023
Meet BRUCE #A056443
- Male canine
- Breed: Labrador Retriever mix
- Age: 7 years old
- Arrived at the shelter in May 2023
Meet CLAY #A057508
- Male canine
- Breed: GSD
- Age: 4 years old
- Clay has been here since December 2023
Meet CARGO #A057183
- Breed: GSD/Pit mix
- Age: 4 years old
- Male canine
- Cargo has been here since October 2023
Meet JOSE #A055977
- Male feline
- Breed: DSH
- Age: 7 years old
- Jose was brought to the shelter more than one year ago, in June 2023
Meet TURKEY #A057440
- Male canine
- Breed: GSD
- Age: 1 year, seven months
- Turkey has been here since December 2023
Meet DONKEY #A057866
- Female feline
- Breed: DSH
- Age: 1 year, 4 months
- Donkey has been here since March 2024
Meet KAT #A058307
- Male feline
- Breed: DSH
- Age: 11 weeks old
- Arrived here in June 2024
Meet JAY-JAY #A058413
- Male canine
- Breed: Papillon Mix
- Age: 10 years old
- Arrived here in June 2024
Meet MUTTONS #A057865
- Female canine
- Breed: Labrador Retriever, white coat
- Age: 5 years old
- Arrived here in March 2024
“Hot Girl Summer” is S-O-O-O-O-O 2023
So check out Pasadena Humane’s “Big Dog Summer” Adoption event—it’s on, now through Thursday July 25!
These photos are courtesy of Pasadena Humane, thanks to our friend Kevin McManus. And you’re a lucky dog, because if you adopt a dog over 40 lbs. like Reese and Shay here, their adoption fee (normally $150) is waived through July 25.
All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchipping and age-appropriate vaccines. New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals as well as a gift bag including care information specific to your pet.
Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 PM through 5:00 PM. If you prefer an appointment, schedule online!
Meet REESE #A513961
- Male canine
- Breed: Husky
- Age: Three years old
- Size/weight: On the smallish side for a Husky at 45 pounds
- Eligible for free adoption through July 25!
- Playful and intelligent— even plays “fetch” by himself when friends are busy
- Loves walks
- A bit bashful, will truly shine in a quiet home
Meet SHAY #A5144
- Female canine
- Breed: GSD mix
- Age: 4 years old
- Size/weight: a svelte 40 lbs.
- Eligible for free adoption through July 25!
- Has been trained, knows basic commands
- Likes to carry around her tennis ball as a security blanket
- Cuddly, gentle, might do best as your only dog
Pasadena Humane
361 S. Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, 91105
626-792-7151
Meet SUNNY D
Special thanks to our comadre Darlene Papa for this listing.
If you even so much as glance at this weekly column, you’ll know that we have a weakness for gingers. This guy melts our hearts. Set up a meet and greet at https://www.lifelineforpets.org.
- Male feline
- Breed: DSH, marmalade-ginger tabby
- Age: 1.5 years old
- Loves to be held
- Pairing with dogs not advised
- May not adapt well to other cats
- Requires one Rx (allergy pill) daily
