To: Marcia Meyeda, The los Angeles county board of , supervisors, Governor Gavin Newsom
End “Do Not Release” Hold accountability for Oofa & Buttercup
The Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control Department must immediately review and correct the policies and actions that prevented the lawful release of my dogs from the Downey Animal Care Center after the investigative hold was lifted.
Specifically, the department should:
• Honor the removal of investigative holds once a law enforcement officer or detective has cleared the animals for release.
• Prohibit shelter staff from placing or maintaining unauthorized “do not release” flags that contradict the official investigative determination.
• Allow owners to redeem their animals through all reasonable payment methods, including the acceptance of care bonds when offered.
• Establish a transparent appeal or review process when a redemption is denied so owners are not left without recourse.
• Ensure all policies are applied consistently and in accordance with California law and public policy.
• Prohibit shelter staff from placing or maintaining unauthorized “do not release” flags that contradict the official investigative determination.
• Allow owners to redeem their animals through all reasonable payment methods, including the acceptance of care bonds when offered.
• Establish a transparent appeal or review process when a redemption is denied so owners are not left without recourse.
• Ensure all policies are applied consistently and in accordance with California law and public policy.
This petition asks Los Angeles County officials and the Department of Animal Care & Control to review this case, correct the administrative failures that prevented redemption, and implement safeguards so that no pet owner faces the same barrier when attempting to reclaim their animals.
Pets are family members, and communities rely on local animal shelters to operate fairly, transparently, and according to the law. When an owner is prevented from reclaiming their animals even after an investigative hold has been lifted, it raises serious concerns about accountability and oversight within the shelter system.
Pets are family members, and communities rely on local animal shelters to operate fairly, transparently, and according to the law. When an owner is prevented from reclaiming their animals even after an investigative hold has been lifted, it raises serious concerns about accountability and oversight within the shelter system.
Situations like this affect more than one individual. They create fear and confusion for pet owners who trust that if their animals enter the shelter system, they will be treated humanely and returned when legally eligible for release.
Clear procedures, transparency, and consistent policy enforcement protect both animals and the public. When shelters follow proper release protocols and provide fair redemption opportunities, they strengthen community trust and prevent unnecessary separation between families and their pets.
Why is this important?
This petition asks local leaders and the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control to review current practices, ensure proper oversight, and implement safeguards that protect the rights of pet owners while maintaining the welfare of animals in their care.
By addressing these concerns, the county can reinforce public confidence in the shelter system and ensure that policies are applied fairly to every member of the community.
This issue affects the entire community because pet owners rely on the Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control system to operate transparently and fairly. When an investigative hold is lifted and an owner attempts to reclaim their animals, the expectation is that the animals will be returned according to established procedures.
This issue affects the entire community because pet owners rely on the Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control system to operate transparently and fairly. When an investigative hold is lifted and an owner attempts to reclaim their animals, the expectation is that the animals will be returned according to established procedures.
In this case, after the investigative hold was reportedly removed, my dogs were not released to me and were instead transferred from the Downey Animal Care Center to another facility in Agoura Hills. This occurred despite my efforts to redeem them and resolve the situation with the department.
When animals are transferred between facilities while redemption issues remain unresolved, it creates additional barriers for owners trying to recover their pets and raises serious concerns about due process, transparency, and oversight within the shelter system.
The community deserves clear policies, consistent enforcement of those policies, and accountability when administrative actions prevent lawful redemption of animals. This petition asks Los Angeles County officials and the Department of Animal Care & Control to review these practices and ensure that no pet owner faces unnecessary obstacles when attempting to reclaim their animals.
