Complaints about Lake Forest reptile shelter prompt Orange County officials to investigate - OCRegister

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OC Animal Care officials, following up on complaints of possible animal cruelty Wednesday, Sept. 25, said they removed about 200 animals that may have been left unattended for days at a Lake Forest reptile rescue organization.

Deputies were dispatched at 2:26 p.m. to assist with the county agency’s  investigation at Reptile Rescue Orange, 22762 Aspan St. Ste. 208, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Carrie Braun said.

Authorities had received multiple reports suggesting possible animal cruelty at the Lake Forest nonprofit since the beginning of September, OCAC spokeswoman Jessica Novillo said.

  • An Orange County Animal Control officer leaves the Reptile Rescue Orange County offices in Lake Forest on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Officials were called to the office after a foul odor was reported. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Local veterinarian Dr. Scott Weldy enters the Reptile Rescue Orange County offices in Lake Forest on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Animal Control officials were called to the office after a foul odor was reported. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  • An Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy peers inside the Reptile Rescue Orange County offices in Lake Forest on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Animal Control officials were called to the office after a foul odor was reported. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • An Orange County Animal Control officer enters the Reptile Rescue Orange County offices in Lake Forest on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Officials were called to the office after a foul odor was reported. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • The Reptile Rescue Orange County offices in Lake Forest on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Animal Control officials were called to the office after a foul odor was reported. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Volunteers take an inventory of animals inside the Reptile Rescue Orange County offices in Lake Forest on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Officials were called to the office after a foul odor was reported. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • An Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy keeps watch outside the Reptile Rescue Orange County offices in Lake Forest on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Animal Control officials were called to the office after a foul odor was reported. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

“Part of the complaints we received mentioned that, for several days, nobody was seen coming into the property to check on the welfare of the animals,” she said.

Authorities had contacted the shelter’s director several times this month and also visited its premises on Sunday, Sept. 22., but had limited access to the facility. When they came back on Wednesday afternoon, they found dozens of reptiles, but no people working at the facility.

Authorities were in the process of removing 200 reptiles, amphibians and arachnids from the Reptile Rescue location as of 9 p.m., Novillo said. County staff and volunteers were seen coming in and out of the non-profit’s storefront throughout the evening, and a foul odor was noticeably present in neighboring businesses.

Exotic species that require specialized care were among the animals confiscated from RROC. Volunteers from the Serrano Animal and Bird hospital and the Southern California Herpetology Association lent their time and expertise to help county officials ensure that the animals would be properly housed moving forward.

However, the sudden intake of a large number of creatures has created demand for additional supplies at the county agency’s shelters, Novillo said. Officials have reached out to the public on social media seeking donations of ceramic water bowls, heat lamps, mite spray, insect for feed and tanks of various sizes to house a wide assortment of animals and arachnids.

The investigation into the matter was ongoing.

A representative for Reptile Rescue Orange County could not be reached for comment Thursday evening. The group was founded in 2008, according to its website.

“Reptile Rescue Orange County is dedicated to providing the proper care and housing of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates searching for a new home,” a statement on the nonprofit’s website says. “RROC strives to be an educational cornerstone in the local community, and fully supports and believes in the right to responsibly keep and care for reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.”

Staff photographer Kevin Sullivan and City News Service contributed to this report.



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