Halfway Through 2026: A Look at What Fix Our Shelters Has Accomplished

When we launched Fix Our Shelters, our mission was straightforward: advocate for lawful, transparent, and compassionate municipal animal shelters. We believed communities deserved shelters that followed California law, treated animals humanely, and earned the public's trust.

That mission has only grown stronger.

If you've been following us this year, you already know one thing:

We don't believe advocacy should only happen on social media.

Real change happens through public records requests, late-night research, meetings with elected officials, legislative advocacy, legal action when necessary, community organizing, and countless conversations with people who simply refuse to accept that animals deserve anything less than better.

2026 has already been one of the busiest and most impactful years in our organization's history. None of what we've accomplished would have been possible without our volunteers, supporters, donors, rescue partners, veterinarians, and advocates across California and beyond.

Here's a look at what we've been working on.

Holding Municipal Shelters Accountable

One of our primary focuses continues to be ensuring municipal animal shelters operate lawfully, transparently, and in the best interests of both animals and the communities they serve.

Throughout the year, we've continued documenting concerns related to illegal restricted intake policies, appointment-only intake systems, transparency, public safety, shelter accountability, and access to services.

When education and collaboration are no longer enough, we are prepared to take formal action.

More Than 140 Cease and Desist Demands

This year alone, Fix Our Shelters issued more than 140 cease and desist demands to municipal shelters throughout California.

These letters address practices that we believe violate California law, including illegal restricted intake policies, delayed access to shelter services, and other practices that place both animals and communities at unnecessary risk.

Legal action is never our first choice.

But government agencies have an obligation to follow the law, and taxpayers deserve public institutions that operate with transparency and accountability.

Sometimes reminding agencies of that responsibility requires more than public comment.

Investing in Prevention Instead of Crisis

One thing we've always believed is that you cannot shelter your way out of pet overpopulation.

If we truly want fewer animals entering shelters, we have to invest in prevention.

That is why we've dramatically expanded our low-cost spay and neuter efforts this year.

Working in partnership with SNIP (Spay Neuter Improvement Project), along with incredible volunteers, veterinarians, rescue partners, and community supporters, we've organized multiple affordable spay and neuter clinics to help families who otherwise could not access these essential services.

Every surgery represents far more than one animal.

It represents future litters prevented.

It represents fewer homeless animals.

It represents reduced shelter overcrowding.

It represents healthier communities.

It represents lives saved before they ever become shelter statistics.

We are incredibly grateful to SNIP for partnering with us and sharing our belief that prevention is the single most effective solution to California's shelter crisis.

Our philosophy remains simple:

No Birth. No Death.

Leadership Changes in Sacramento

Real reform often begins with leadership.

This year brought significant leadership changes within Sacramento's Front Street Animal Shelter.

Fix Our Shelters remained actively engaged throughout the process, advocating for accountability, transparency, and meaningful reform.

Among those changes was the removal of Staycee Dains from the Operations Manager position and the early retirement of the Shelter Manager Phillip Zimmerman..

As Sacramento moved toward selecting new leadership, we also worked to encourage the appointment of a shelter director capable of restoring public trust, improving transparency, strengthening relationships with volunteers and rescue organizations, and ensuring compliance with California law.

Leadership matters.

Culture matters.

Leadership determines how volunteers are treated, how rescues are viewed, how animals are cared for, and whether a shelter becomes a trusted community resource or an institution the public loses faith in.

We remain optimistic about Sacramento's future and will continue supporting reforms that improve outcomes for both animals and the community.

Standing Up for Animals Beyond Sacramento

Although Sacramento remains home, our work has expanded far beyond city limits.

One of the most heartbreaking cases we've become involved with this year is the ongoing situation surrounding Miranda's Rescue in Humboldt County.

As allegations surrounding the rescue became public and investigations progressed, Fix Our Shelters worked alongside advocates to help elevate awareness, provide support, and encourage government accountability.

Believing that governmental action had been insufficient in response to serious allegations and widespread public concern, we also issued a formal cease and desist demand to Humboldt County.

Communities deserve confidence that agencies responsible for protecting animals will respond appropriately when serious concerns arise.

While California remains our primary focus, our work does not stop at state lines.

When animals are suffering and our experience can help, we assist advocates and organizations across the country by sharing research, strategy, policy guidance, and support for accountability efforts.

Because protecting animals should never be limited by geography.

Bringing Animal Welfare to the State Capitol

In May, advocates from across California joined Fix Our Shelters for our annual Lobby Day at the California State Capitol.

People traveled from every corner of the state with one shared goal:

To remind lawmakers that California's shelter crisis will not solve itself.

Together, we met with legislators and their staff to discuss issues including:

• Illegal restricted intake

• Increased investment in affordable spay and neuter

• Municipal shelter accountability

• Public safety

• Animal welfare legislation

• Modernizing California's shelter system

• Long-term solutions to overcrowding

  
  

Lobby Day continues to grow each year, and we're incredibly grateful to every advocate who took time away from work, family, and their own lives to participate.

Grassroots advocacy works because lawmakers hear directly from the people living these issues every day.

Building Grassroots Power

One of the things we're most proud of isn't something that shows up in headlines.

It's the network.

Over the past year, Fix Our Shelters has increasingly become a resource for advocates throughout California and across the country.

We've helped local groups understand municipal shelter policies, navigate public records requests, organize effective advocacy campaigns, engage with local government, interpret shelter practices, and build sustainable grassroots movements in their own communities.

When communities become informed, they become empowered.

When advocates work together instead of alone, change happens faster.

Every community we help becomes another voice speaking up for animals.

That ripple effect is one of the most meaningful accomplishments of this past year

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Building a Movement

Fix Our Shelters began with one simple belief:

Municipal animal shelters should follow the law.

Today, our work extends far beyond that original mission.

We advocate.

We educate.

We organize.

We legislate.

We host low-cost spay and neuter clinics.

We support advocates.

We engage with lawmakers.

We assist rescue organizations.

We promote transparency.

We push for accountability.

And when necessary, we are prepared to challenge government agencies that fail to fulfill their responsibilities.

While California remains at the heart of our work, our commitment extends wherever animals and the people fighting for them need another voice.

There is still an enormous amount of work ahead.

Animals continue to suffer because of outdated policies, poor leadership, inadequate investment in prevention, and a lack of accountability.

But we're also seeing something encouraging.

More people are speaking up.

More communities are demanding better.

More elected officials are listening.

And more advocates are realizing that meaningful change is possible when ordinary people refuse to stay silent.

Thank You

None of this happens because of one person.

It happens because of volunteers who spend evenings making phone calls.

Supporters who attend city council meetings.

Donors who believe this work matters.

Veterinarians and partners like SNIP who help make prevention possible.

Rescue organizations that never stop fighting.

Community members who refuse to accept "that's just the way it is."

To every volunteer, donor, advocate, veterinarian, rescue partner, and supporter who has stood beside us this year:

Thank you.

We're only halfway through 2026.

There is still a tremendous amount of work ahead.

But because of this community, we know we're making a difference.

Together, we will continue to Advocate. Educate. Legislate.

Because every animal deserves a community willing to fight for them.

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