San Jose Shelter Facing Lawsuit After Rise in Animal Deaths Over the Last Three Years

San Jose Animal Care is facing legal action after an increase in animal deaths over the last few years and allegations of medical negligence raised by local law groups and advocates.

Warning: Images in the story may be difficult for some readers.

San Jose Animal Care has been a community favorite for years, with all things concerning local patrons' pets, but after an increase in deaths within the shelter, Sarah Thompson, an attorney with Ryther Law Group representing Partners in Animal Care & Compassion, and other advocates and volunteers called for action . 

There were already concerns from advocates in the years prior to the initial audit, with a 2022 - 2023 report of  death rate hitting a five year high, with evidence that 426 animals died in shelters and 1,072 animals euthanized. After an incident in December of 2024 when a dog named Rufus - claimed to be a healthy and happy dog - died of a routine neuter when he was placed back into his kennel under anesthesia and left unmonitored, along with several alleged state penal violations, the community sent an open letter to the city in January of this year. 

Rebekah Davis Mathews, a former volunteer, said partnerships with other rescue groups have declined significantly, leading to more animals being euthanized. With the shelter's release rate being at 85% –the lowest it has been in five years, the shelter faces the risk of losing its “no kill” facility title. The release rate to keep the title needs to be 90% or higher. 

Reports also state that the shelter housed more than 900 animals, which is almost double the capacity of its recommended 500. The report states the rise in capacity is because the shelter has a record of taking in sick animals. The rates compounded because adopters don’t tend to adopt ill pets, as well as consistent staffing issues and inability

to find veterinarians to aid in the treatment of animals.

While Rufus was the focal point of the lawsuit, another standout incident that sparked protest was Lola, a family dog of six years, who was reported to have been found with an IV catheter fully wrapped around her leg, and her slip-lead wrapped around her neck dozens of times, according to Courtney Ferro, one of the employees working at the time, and who found Lola. 

San Jose Animal Care has been a local hotspot of all things concerning the community's animals, offering services that range from adoption, fostering, and medical care. With the years of alleged negligence the community trust has been tainted with less people fostering, and others claim to adopt with less confidence. As of recently the shelter has made no recent plans - publicly - to fix the issues addressed by the animal organizations and are at risk of being shut down by the city. I’ve reached out to the shelter itself and a volunteer, both have yet to comment on the issues addressed.