Officials at the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter have seen a consistent trend of dogs and cats being given up by their owners since 2022, and this year is on track to surpass past years.

“About 60% of the requests for surrender are because folks are moving, or their new housing isn’t allowing pets, or they can’t afford vet care,” said Jennifer Stinett, the general manager of the Coastal Animal Services Authority, better known as CASA, which provides animal care for Dana Point and San Clemente.

“Another increase we’ve seen, especially this year, is unwanted litters of puppies and kittens,” Stinett said. “So, you have both people who have unaltered animals or who can’t afford to get their adult animals altered, and they’re having these accidental litters or unaltered animals where p

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