Last year, San Bernardino County’s Animal Care moved from its traditional name of “Animal Care and Control” to “Animal Care.” The reason for this rebrand was to more accurately emphasize the proactive, nurturing, and compassionate approach San Bernardino County takes in its treatment of animals. It serves as a representation of both a culture and a mindset. From a new logo to new uniforms, the team at Animal Care are passionate about serving the people and pets of our community.
As part of the rebranding project, Animal Care revitalized some of its services. One service was the enrichment program. Animal Care employs full-time enrichment specialists, who are dedicated to daily interaction with the animals. The Animal Care enrichment program focuses on physical, cognitive, and social and sensory enrichment activities.
The specialists engage the animals in different ways to stimulate play, freedom of movement, positive behaviors and healthy interactions with other animals and humans, as well as sensory activities to stimulate the animal’s five senses. The sensory activities include special treats and snacks or may also include bubbles, free play or brushing.
Enrichment not only benefits the animals during their time at the shelter, but it also reinforces good behavior and social skills. Enrichment has been proven to increase the likelihood of adoption.
An enhancement of Animal Care services has been accomplished by expanding the volunteer program to further support the animals’ well-being and enrichment. This expansion has given community members an opportunity to volunteer their time toward caring and interacting with animals in need.
Some of the other ways that Animal Care shows its daily commitment to care is through the provision of community resources to pet owners, including promoting animal adoptions for pets in need of loving homes, responsible pet ownership, and a spay/neuter voucher program. Many pet adoptions from the Devore and Big Bear Animal Shelters are completed at a reduced cost through the support of the nonprofit agency, Animals Are First Fund (ARFF).
The rebrand has successfully brought attention to the care and welfare of animals and the impact it has on the community. Animal Care’s comprehensive rebranding is far more than a redesigned title, it is a concerted effort to connect, engage and inform the public about the importance of encouraging humane treatment of animals and minimizing the number of animals without homes while encouraging forever homes for those animals that have entered temporary care at Animal Care shelters.
For more information about animals available for adoption in San Bernardino County’s Big Bear and Devore Animal Shelters, please visit animalcare.sbcounty.gov/pets or call (800) 472-5609. To make a donation to assist animals at the shelter, visit arffund.org.
Additional County Update News – October 19, 2023
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