The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) was established in 1889. In February 1985 after recognizing a need to further provide safety and protection within the communities served, they created and implemented the K-9 Unit.
The S.A.F.E. Foundation recently had the opportunity to work with the Orange County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit which currently has nine (9) Police Service Dogs and their handlers. We learned that these K9s were in need of protective safety equipment that was not provided by the Department.
Our foundation worked with the OCSD K-9 Unit to purchase each K9 ear protectors and specialized goggles to protect their eyes from debris, dirt, smoke, etc. while performing their given tasks. In addition, the S.A.F.E. Foundation purchased five (5) customized ballistic vests for those K9s whose specific tasks require their performance and endurance not be hindered by the standard issued vests.
When we arrived at the training site with the delivery, the dogs were happily “entertaining” themselves with a favorite “toy” (e.g., bumper, Kong ball, etc.) ready to start their day of training. Even though wearing goggles and ear protectors was a new experience for some of these K9s, all of the dogs were so well behaved and allowed their Deputy partners to fit and adjust their goggles.
Watching the mutual respect, bond, and trust between the Deputies and their K9 partners was amazing! We were very impressed with the OCSD K-9 Unit and their professionalism and how much responsibility they have. And these Police Service Dogs are energetic, attentive, work hard, and clearly love what they do.
The S.A.F.E. Foundation will continue to provide assistance to the Orange County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit when needed.
See the “Q&A” section to learn more about these heroic K9s in the interview S.A.F.E. Foundation did with the OCSD K-9 Unit.
Q&A
Q: What are the names of the current K9s on active duty?
A: *Our current K9s are: K9“Enzo,” K9“Ketel,” K9“Mac,” K9“Rocky,” K9“Lido,” K9“Solo,” K9“Max,” and K9“Falco.” *Note: After this interview was conducted, the K-9 Unit welcomed a new member to the team, K9 “Hugo.”
Q: What is the main job description and/or responsibilities of the Orange County Sheriff’s K9 Unit?
A: The Orange County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit is assigned to our Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) along with the SWAT Team, Hazardous Devices Section (HDS), and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT). Our K9 teams supplement Patrol Operations as well as Special Investigative and Operational units throughout the Sheriff’s Department. The primary mission of our K9s, officially titled “Police Service Dogs,” is to help locate people or things using their innate abilities.
Q: What obstacles might these Police Service Dogs face while on duty because they do not have the appropriate field equipment due to lack of financial assistance (e.g., ballistic vests)?
A: Standard issued ballistic K9 vests are heavy and cumbersome. Due to the size of the vest and lack of flexibility, the standard issued vests significantly effect a K9’s ability to remain agile. Although standard vests are more economically efficient and can be used on a variety of K9 body types, our K9s will often fatigue rapidly due to the size and weight of the ballistic protection. Specialized vests through companies such as, “K9 Storm,” which are ordered and sized for individual dogs, allow our K9s to maintain their agility, decrease the opportunity for fatigue, and allow for ballistic protection throughout an entire shift instead of short periods of time.
Q: Is there financial assistance provided to the deputies for the care of their K9 partners (e.g., food, vet services for basic health care, safety equipment such as goggles and/or ballistic vests, housing, bumpers, etc.)? Do the Deputies have out-of-pocket expenses in the care and training of their K9 partners?
A: Our handlers are not financially responsible for housing, food, basic safety equipment, or veterinary health care. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department covers those expenses. However, our handlers frequently pay out of pocket for more effective safety equipment or protective training gear above and beyond what is issued by the Department.
Q: How long is the initial K-9 Unit training program? Is there ongoing training-how often?
A: *Our OCSD K9s and new handlers undergo six (6) weeks of initial basic training from a third-party P.O.S.T.- certified dog trainer before joining the team. Once they complete the basic school, K-9 teams participate in upwards of 600 hours of training per year including: detection training, weekly team training, individual shift training, specialized training in tracking, SWAT tactics, Air Support Operations, Waterborne Operations, etc.
*Note: P.O.S.T. is the acronym for Police Officer’s Standards and Training
Q: On average, how long does a K9 serve on “active duty” before he or she retires?
A: The average service length of our K9s varies on the health, stamina, and drive of each individual dog. There is no minimum or maximum service requirement. On average, our K9s will work until they are around 8 or 9 years old, leaving them with a few more years of well-earned retirement with their handler’s family.
Q: Do you use both male and female dogs? And, is there a difference in their temperament or in their training performance?
A: The OCSD K9 Unit does not currently deploy any female K9s on Patrol. Both genders can adequately perform the tasks necessary for Police Service Dogs and other agencies within the County of Orange do in fact deploy females with no difference in performance.
Q: What happens to the Police Service Dogs when they retire? Is there any financial assistance provided for the care of these retired K9s? If not, who assumes the financial responsibility?
A: Currently, retired Police Service Dogs do receive limited financial assistance from generous donations collected by the Orange County Police Canine Association, however, once a K9 is retired, their handlers assume full financial responsibility for them.
Q: What do you think motivates these dogs to risk their lives and do what they do each day?
A: Police Service Dogs are simply domesticated and highly trained animals. Being such, they have very little sense of self-preservation in human terms. Our Police Service Dogs do not perceive danger in the same manner we might; they merely believe they are performing a special task we have trained them to do. Whether that is searching for a dangerous and violent suspect or operating in an environment too confined or dangerous for Deputies to enter, their drive to perform that given task in search of a “reward” means that they will forge ahead regardless of danger.
Being that our Police Service Dogs do not detect danger or potential hazards effectively, it is incumbent on every handler to ensure the search area we are deploying them into is as safe as possible given their mission, and that they are equipped with the proper safety gear.
Q: Do your K9 partners get rewarded for a “job well-done,” and if so, what are a couple examples of their favorite rewards?
A: Each of our K9 partners has their own favorite reward for a given task or “Job well-done.” A couple favorites among our team are the salt-free (“pup patty”) cheeseburger from In-n-Out or a Starbucks “Puppuccino” (whipped cream in a cup).
Q: Can you briefly share a recent incident that required the assistance of your Police Service Dogs?
A: Recently, several of our OCSD K9 teams were called to assist with a vehicle pursuit involving two suspects wanted in connection to residential burglaries. The vehicle they were evading in was believed to be stolen. After a pursuit spanning several South Orange County Cities, the suspects abandoned their vehicle in a Regional Nature Park and fled on foot. Sheriff’s helicopter, “Duke 1,” was overhead and watched the suspects run down a trail and into a ravine filled with dense vegetation. The vegetation they fled into was so thick and overgrown, it was impossible for helicopter to track their movement.
One of our OCSD K9s was able to track the suspects (while wearing his K9 Storm customized ballistic vest for added protection) through the vegetation and into the creek below. With the assistance of our K9, both suspects were located by the search team and taken into custody. A search of the suspects’ vehicle later revealed a firearm and additional stolen property.
Without the assistance of a K9, this search would have been called off due to the environment they fled into, and two dangerous suspects would have remained free within our community.
Q: Is there anything the Orange County Sheriff’s K9 Unit would like the public to know about what your Unit does or something they may not be aware of with regards to the Police Service Dogs themselves?
A: Sometimes our K9 partners can be overlooked by the Law Enforcement community as a piece of specialized equipment, but I think it’s important for the community at large to know that our Police Service Dogs are very well taken care of.
The bond between K9 and handler is something that isn’t found in many other places in Law Enforcement. We love and care for our K9 partners and they show us the same amount of love in return. Although it’s unfortunate that at times we must insert our four-legged partners into dangerous situations, we do not take it lightly or for granted.
The safety of our K9 partners is always a priority to us and we dedicate many hundreds of hours in specialized training to ensure they have the best possible chance of returning home with their handlers every night.
They are not vicious attack animals sent to hunt man. In fact, each of our Police Service Dogs have their own unique personalities, quirks, likes, and dislikes. But, they all love the social interaction between man and dog. Community outreach demonstrations are an ongoing responsibility we have as K9 handlers, and we love interacting with the citizens we serve. I would encourage anyone with questions or interest in gaining knowledge about Police Service Dogs to attend one of our demonstrations.
Additional information about our Police Service Dogs is available at ocsheriff.gov or on Instagram @ocsheriff and @ocsdk9unit.
During the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, many nonprofit organizations, animal shelters, and others “jumped into action” to rescue and relocate animals-both domestic and wildlife. Some made space in their facility to give shelter and aid to animals in need. Others took in the injured wildlife treating their wounds and rehabilitating them with the goal of safely releasing the animals back into the wild (if their injuries were healed and if they’d be able to take care of themselves).
The S.A.F.E. Foundation contacted several of these organizations and shelters to see how we could be of assistance and how we could support these “heroes.” The S.A.F.E. Foundation purchased and shipped any items they needed; not surprisingly, their lists were long and varied.
These requests included food for all types of animals, baby formulas, toys, heating pads, travel cases, transport cages, small animal hammocks, towels, cleaners, burn ointments, bandages, blankets, gloves, various animal treats, bathing tubs, litter boxes, litter, etc.
One of these organizations the S.A.F.E. Foundation helped was the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center (WWCC), a well-known nonprofit rehabilitation center located on PCH in Huntington Beach.
They graciously agreed to meet with us and give us a tour. Upon arriving, our first impression was how friendly everyone was as we made our way to meet Debbie McGuire, WWCC’s Executive Director. Accompanying us on the tour was Newt Likier, a WWCC technician, who was well-versed on everything from the animals to the facility’s inner workings.
We saw several volunteers and staff members who were working hard from cleaning cages, changing bandages, making meals (based on dietary needs), feeding, to preparing for emergency rescues coming in that day. It was incredible to see how many animals were being cared for at WWCC. The compassion and commitment those volunteers and staff members showed to the animals was both touching and inspirational.
However, it was hard not to get angry and frustrated to see numerous baby (and adult) animals that were unnecessarily injured or abandoned due to human carelessness.
The Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center offers schools the opportunity to bring students to learn about the local ecosystems and to tour the facility. There are several interactive stations students can have fun with while learning how they can help protect these ecosystems and the animals.
The Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center and all of its volunteers and staff are professional, knowledgeable, hard-working, and committed! Orange County is lucky to have such an important facility that does amazing work in rehabilitating and releasing wildlife. WWCC depends on donations to care for the animals. Please take the time to visit the WWCC and you’ll be inspired to donate not only money, but your time in a local rescue center or shelter near you!
Learn more about the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center and the incredible work they do. Read the Q&A Interview with Debbie McGuire.
Q&A
Q: When was the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center established? At the same location it is now?
A: QUICK HISTORY: In 1972, we became the first licensed wildlife rehabilitator in the state of California. First operating in Anaheim, CA out of the North Orange County School District Regional Occupational Program. We were then known as the Alliance for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education (AWRE). On Feb 7, 1990, at 4:53 p.m., 1.4 miles out from the shores of Huntington Beach, the anchor of the American Trader Oil tanker punctured a hole in its hull, spilling 400,000 gallons of Alaskan crude oil onto Huntington Beach and Newport Beach sickening more than 4,000 animals. The first incoming birds were housed at the Huntington Beach Junior Lifeguard Tower and were then moved several days later to a temporary facility on Terminal Island in Long Beach. CDFW, USFWS, and other organizations came to help us treat the oiled birds. Only 600 (approximately 15%) of the affected animals and birds survived treatment at a makeshift facility. It was obvious that we were not prepared to respond to such emergencies. An oil-soaked bird lying helpless on a beach stained with black crude oil – it’s a haunting image, one with which we are all too familiar with in Southern California. By 1989, the year of the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, the wildlife community had already been networking to rescue affected wildlife from devastating disasters. The 1990 American Trader oil spill in Huntington Beach further mobilized the wildlife care community in Southern California. This major event brought concerned individuals, local and state government officials So Cal Edison, and citizen groups such as AWRE and the Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy (HBWC) together to begin planning for the WWCC. On March 31, 1997, with the assistance of CDFW, OSPR, So Cal Edison, and others, the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center (WWCC) opened at our current location. We officially changed our name with the move.
Q: What is the basic Mission of the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center?
A: Our mission is to educate the public about the human impact on wildlife and mitigate that impact through the rehabilitation and release of injured, orphaned, oiled, and sick wildlife.
Q: Is the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center a nonprofit organization? Besides public donations, do you receive funding from any federal, state, or local agencies?
A: We are a 501(C)3 charitable organization. We receive some funding from a few city animal controls and competitive grants.
Q: What types of animals do you care for and rehabilitate?
A: We care for and rehabilitate all native California species, with only a few exceptions like skunks and crows. We don’t take any marine mammals.
Q: On average, how many animals in a month are treated? Is there a busy season?
A: Our busy season is spring and summer (or baby season). At that time we are caring for over 1,000 patients.
Q: What animal species tend to be more difficult to treat? Why? And the easiest? Why?
A: This is a hard question. We see over 200 different species of animals every year. One of the more difficult species is the tiny hummingbird. They are small and have very fast metabolisms which means they must eat often. So, they are difficult because they require a lot of care. If a hummingbird suffers a wing fracture, it’s almost impossible to mend it correctly so that they can hover and fly. One of the easiest is the band-tailed pigeon because they pose no danger to us.
Q: How do these injured and rescued animals come to the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center?
A: Members of the public, life guards, and animal control officers bring us our patients.
Q: Are many of the injured animals or those that are rescued due to human causation?
A: Most of our patients are here because of humans, either directly or indirectly.
Q: What types of injuries or rescues caused by human actions do you encounter?
A: Fishing gear entanglements, pellets/arrows/other projectiles, window strikes, glue traps, oilings, vehicle collisions, cat and dog attacks, poisoning, wildfires, etc.
Q: How do you and the staff stay motivated during these emotionally taxing cases?
A: It’s important to remember that we are giving these animals a chance they wouldn’t otherwise get. We are actively helping to improve the lives of our patients, and that matters.
Q: Is the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center’s goal to release animals once they’re rehabilitated back into the wild or in a safe environment? What circumstances might prevent this?
A: The wild is our primary release location. We wait for good weather and the right time of day for different species. Rain, wildfires, and human interference can get in the way.
Q: During the treatment of wildlife, how do you ensure that once they’re rehabilitated, they haven’t been habituated to humans?
A: We leave the animals alone as much as possible. Once the medical aspects are done, animals go to outdoor enclosures to finish the process and gain their strength back. The only time they are bothered is for feedings and cleanings. For baby animals, we use face shields and ghillie suits to disguise our human faces.
Q: Are there any situations that would require you to use a tracking device on released wildlife to monitor their movements for their safety?
A: During unusual events like oil spills or mass strandings, we may federally band birds. Birds can only be banded after special permission is granted by the USGS. We just installed a MOTUS tracking antenna on our building to track the movements of birds. Our antenna, the first in Orange County, helps gather information on migration, roosting sites, longevity, and if they encounter any mishaps.
Q: Does the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center partner with any federal, state, or local organizations (or agencies) that protect and monitor the released wildlife?
A: We partner with the CDFW, OWCN, USFWS, and MOTUS.ORG through Canada Birds.
Q: Besides volunteers, who is on staff- i.e., veterinarians, technicians, etc.?
A: We have thirteen paid staff. We have one licensed part-time veterinarian on staff, One Executive Director, two administrative support staff, eight wildlife technicians, and one volunteer coordinator.
Q: How many volunteers do you have currently?
A: We have approximately 250 volunteers.
Q: If someone wants to become a volunteer, who should they contact?
A: To volunteer, please apply on our website, www.wwccoc.org/volunteer. Our volunteer coordinator will contact you for further information and instructions.
Q: How can people make monetary donations to the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center?
A: Mail in a check. Attend our Fundraiser – Wildlife Baby Shower on Saturday, May 3rd. go to our website at www.wwccoc.org/donate. Choose something off of our Amazon wishlist.
PayPal: http://bit.ly/3CPTLLz
Amazon Wishlist: https://a.co/3iSR2xF
Zelle: debbie.mcguire@wwccoc
Q: Does the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center have a Wish List of items you’re in need of that people can purchase and donate to you? Where can they find that information?
A: Amazon Wishlist: https://a.co/3iSR2xF
