Rescue volunteers scramble to place dogs from Stanislaus animal shelter. What to know

Rescue volunteers and officials at the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency disagree over how to handle a shelter beyond capacity. Volunteers say dogs are being doubled up in small kennels and sent out with inaccurate health clearances, while the agency says it’s doing what it can against overwhelming intake numbers.

FULL STORY: Stanislaus County’s overcrowded animal shelter strains rescue network

Here are key takeaways:

• Every Wednesday, rescue volunteers receive a list of dogs needing immediate placement. Recently, that list hit 50 dogs. Volunteers then race to evaluate, photograph and share the dogs with a 30,000-member Facebook group before a Monday morning deadline.

• The shelter has euthanized an average of 673 animals per year since fiscal year 2020-21. Its live release rate sits just over 80%, and its self-published data shows intake running 30% to more than 100% higher than counties of similar size.

• Kennels designed for one dog now often hold two, with each animal getting roughly 4-by-5 feet of space. SASA Director Lily Yap confirmed dividers meant for cleaning are being used to double capacity during intake spikes.

• The shelter has one full-time veterinarian performing surgeries three days a week. A nationwide vet shortage has made hiring a second one difficult, according to Yap.

• Through a “foster-to-adopt” program, dogs are being leaving the shelter without being spayed or neutered, with return appointments sometimes months away. Volunteer Paula Nourse said some people miss those appointments or move, and the dogs “get loose.”

• A volunteer received a poodle medically cleared for transport that “showed up nearly dead and died five hours later,” according to PAWS Network volunteer Rebecca Martello. Yap responded by requiring visual health checks before transport.

• Modesto Councilmember Chris Ricci said he would not support more city funding for the joint powers agreement until customer experience, spay/neuter services and treatment of rescue volunteers improve.

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This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM.