Your Comprehensive Guide to the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter

The San Bernardino City Animal Shelter is a vital community resource, dedicated to providing shelter, care, and adoption services for homeless animals. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about the shelter, including its mission, services, and how you can help the animals in its care.

Mission and Services

Mission Statement:
"To ensure the humane treatment and placement of all animals within our care, to promote responsible pet ownership and to enhance the human-animal bond within our community."

Services:

• Animal Intake: The shelter accepts stray, surrendered, and abandoned animals.
• Medical Care: Animals receive veterinary exams, vaccinations, and other medical care as needed.
• Adoption Services: The shelter offers adoption services for dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals.
• Foster Care: The shelter partners with foster families to provide temporary care for animals in need.
• Community Outreach: The shelter conducts outreach programs to educate the public about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.

Animal Intake and Adoption Statistics

In 2022, the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter:

• Took in over 10,000 animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and other small animals.
• Adopted out nearly 6,000 animals to loving homes.
• Had a live release rate of over 60%, meaning that more than 60% of the animals in its care were reunited with their owners, adopted, or placed in foster homes.

How You Can Help

There are many ways you can help the animals at the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter:

• Adopt a Pet: Opening your home to a homeless animal is the most direct way to make a difference.
• Become a Foster Parent: Foster families provide temporary care for animals who are too young to be adopted or who need special attention.
• Volunteer Your Time: Volunteers help with animal care, cleaning, and other shelter tasks.
• Donate: The shelter relies on donations to provide food, medical care, and other essential services for the animals.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Spread the word about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering.

Effective Strategies for Supporting the Shelter

• Partner with Local Businesses: Collaborate with businesses to offer adoption events, donation drives, and other fundraising opportunities.
• Utilize Social Media: Use social media platforms to promote the shelter, highlight adoptable animals, and share important information about animal welfare.
• Conduct Public Awareness Campaigns: Host community events, distribute flyers, and run public service announcements to educate the public about the shelter and its mission.
• Develop Educational Programs: Offer educational programs on responsible pet ownership, pet first aid, and animal welfare to schools, community centers, and other organizations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Supporting the Shelter

• Overwhelming the Shelter: Do not bring animals to the shelter without first contacting the staff to ensure that space is available.
• Donating Prohibited Items: Only donate items that the shelter has specifically requested. Do not donate used bedding, food that is not in its original packaging, or expired medications.
• Ignoring the Shelter's Rules: Always follow the shelter's rules and guidelines when visiting or interacting with the animals.
• Expecting Too Much: The shelter is a busy and often overwhelmed facility that does its best to care for the animals in its care. Be patient and understanding with the staff.

Why Supporting the Shelter Matters

Supporting the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter matters for several reasons:

• Animal Welfare: The shelter provides essential care and medical treatment to animals in need, ensuring their well-being and preventing suffering.
• Community Health: By controlling the population of stray animals, the shelter helps to reduce the risk of animal-borne diseases and promotes public health.
• Human-Animal Bond: The shelter facilitates the human-animal bond by connecting people with loving companion animals who can bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love to their lives.
• Economic Benefits: The shelter provides employment opportunities and generates revenue for local businesses, supporting the local economy.

Pros and Cons of Supporting the Shelter

Pros:

• Directly helps animals in need: Provides shelter, food, and medical care to homeless and neglected animals.
• Promotes responsible pet ownership: Educates the public about the importance of spaying, neutering, and providing proper care for pets.
• Strengthens the human-animal bond: Facilitates the adoption of animals into loving homes, improving their lives and the lives of their human companions.
• Supports the local economy: Provides employment opportunities and generates revenue for local businesses.

Cons:

• Can be emotionally challenging: Working with or volunteering at an animal shelter can expose you to animal suffering and euthanasia.
• May require financial commitment: Donations and volunteer time can be costly for some individuals.
• Limited availability: Shelters may have limited space and resources, which can make it difficult to accommodate all animals in need.
• Potential for injury: Working with animals can involve some risk of being injured, especially with larger or aggressive animals.

Conclusion

The San Bernardino City Animal Shelter is an essential community resource that provides vital care and services to homeless animals. By supporting the shelter through adoption, volunteering, donations, and education, you can make a significant difference in the lives of the animals in its care and in the community as a whole.

Additional Information

Contact Information:
* Address: 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, CA 92408
* Phone: (909) 384-7387
* Email: [email protected]

Hours of Operation:
* Monday-Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
* Saturday-Sunday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Adoption Fees:
* Dogs: $100
* Cats: $50
* Small animals: $25

Table 1: Animal Intake Statistics

• Other includes rabbits, birds, reptiles, and other small animals.
  ** Year-to-date figures as of March 31, 2023.

Table 2: Adoption Statistics

• Other includes rabbits, birds, reptiles, and other small animals.
  ** Year-to-date figures as of March 31, 2023.

Table 3: Live Release Rate

Live release rate is defined as the percentage of animals that are reunited with their owners, adopted, or placed in foster homes.
** Year-to-date figures as of March 31, 2023.