The California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals) today announced the launch of "It's a Sign," a new public awareness advertising campaign designed to encourage more Californians to adopt pets from animal shelters.

We are writing to provide clarity to the animal welfare community: The Community Cat Program has been validated as legal in its current form since February 2025, and criteria have been established to support the lawfulness of other community cat programs in California, making them an essential tool for modern sheltering.

Throughout her career, Gabrielle has focused on professionalizing the sheltering field, strengthening staff development, and cultivating a workplace rooted in optimism, compassion, and purpose.

California is facing a well-documented shortage of veterinarians, particularly those trained and willing to perform high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) surgery. At the same time, demand for services has surged. The result is a bottleneck that no amount of dedication can overcome without systemic change.

February 13, 2026 Dear City Leaders, On behalf of the California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), the state association representing and supporting more than 300 shelters, animal control agencies, private humane societies, and other animal welfare organizations, we are writing to encourage cities and municipalities to carefully evaluate the standards, oversight, and accountability measures in place for animal services providers that you contract with to meet your lega

If you’ve ever walked into a veterinary office with a sick pet and walked out overwhelmed, anxious, or blindsided by a bill you weren’t prepared for—you’re not alone.