#shelter-capacity

#shelter-capacity

Authorities seized 28 dogs from the home of a Windsor woman in early December and led her away in handcuffs, highlighting a case of alleged animal cruelty by a self-described rescuer, as well as broader issues officials say are straining shelters in the aftermath of the pandemic. The dogs taken from the Hastings Place home of Christina Urrutia Urena were just the latest animals formerly in her care to wind up in Sonoma County shelters, according to officials. RELATED: 40 dogs rescued from squalid California apartment. 'One of the worst hoarding situations.' The Dec. 9 action, including Urrutia's arrest, was more drastic because of the conditions discovered in the garage and the number of affected dogs, authorities said.

This weekend, the city of Portland is resuming enforcement of its local laws governing when, where, and how homeless Portlanders can live in public spaces. Mayor Keith Wilson announced that enforcement would begin November 1, saying he wants people found in violation to be referred to resources like shelters or substance use programs. That's the same day the federal food assistance program SNAP expires for millions of low-income Americans, and homeless Portlanders will now also be at risk of fines and jail time if they decline a "reasonable alternate shelter" when offered. It's part of Wilson's efforts to deliver on his lofty campaign promise to end unsheltered homelessness in the city by December 1.