Live release rate increasing at Hollister Police Animal Care and Services
HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION) Hollister Police Animal Care and Services said shelter statistics from last year show a large improvement over the last few years.
In 2019, the shelter reported a live release rate of 70%, a number they said has steadily increased from 46% in 2016. A live release rate is calculated by the amount of live animals leaving the shelter by all leaving the shelter, with the exception of owner-requested euthanasia and animals brought in dead.
Hollister Police Animal Care and Services said 1,696 live animals went through the shelter last year. 729 were adopted or sent to rescue, and 391 were reunited with their owners. Animal Control Officers also responded to 1,018 field calls in Hollister and unincorporated San Benito County.
The shelter takes in stray animals, dangerous animal investigations, owner surrenders, owner-requested euthanasia, dead animals and cruelty and neglect investigations.
Hollister Police Animal Care and Services said it believes the improved live release rate may be the result of better spay and neuter procedures, more pet adoption fairs, education through social media, growing relationships with rescue organizations, more volunteers and responsible pet ownership.
The shelter said staff often keep animals longer than required time limits as well to work with the animal to become more adoptable or move on to a rescue group.
