An attorney for the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society has asked the Arcadia City Council to amend the municipal code so as to allow establishment of an animal shelter in Chicago Park.
Fish and Game officials met in Arcadia with members of area police to discuss dealing with increasingly visible wild animals, especially bears, who amble into cities bordering Angeles National Forest. Wildfires may drive animals from the mountains.
More than 40 cats and kittens have taken over a foreclosed house in Arcadia and while most neighbors are complaining, some are feeding and trying to find a home for the cats. The house, at 381 Walnut Avenue, has been described as "one big litter box."
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control, which has licensing responsibility in Arcadia, has increased its fees from $2.50 to $3.50 for spayed dogs and from $5.00 to $7.00 for non-spayed animals.
Arcadia, along with several other communities in the San Gabriel Valley, face termination of animal control services now rendered by the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society. This agency will discontinue services as of June 30, 1978.
The Arcadia City Council agreed to continue its contract with Los Angeles County for animal control. In addition, Arcadia will remain in the 9 city consortium which does business with the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society.
Non-profit group Free Animal Doctor seeks to build a full service non-profit veterinary clinic at Santa Anita Park racetrack through donations and crowdfunding. The website is FreeAnimalDoctor.org.
The local police department and humane societies in the San Gabriel Valley do not support efforts to establish a new private humane society in Arcadia.
A 150-pound bear, about half the size of the adult bear seen earlier in the week, was caught in the northeast corner of Wilderness Park as it rummaged through a trash dumpster. It was tranquilized and released deep in the Angeles National Forest.
A 300-pound bear was seen rummaging through a trash can in Wilderness Park, and authorities feel it may be the same bear that was captured in the same place 10 months ago, then released 50 miles away in Angeles National Forest near Pyramid Lake.
Area law enforcement officials will meet in Arcadia with the California Department of Fish and Game representatives to discuss wildlife, especially bears, coming down into the populated foothill cities.