Last week was a particularly busy one for animal stories in the local media. Reading and watching news online, in print and on television, you couldn’t help but see three stories of particular interest locally.

The story that was most concerning was the announcement regarding a large confiscation of cats in Santa Ana. Although the actual event happened over a month ago, the press finally caught wind of this sad hoarding situation that occurred at the home of a well-respected cat rescuer. Rescuers becoming hoarders is an all too common occurrence.

In early February, the founder of Cat Connection Rescue Network had her home raided by the Animal Services Section of the Santa Ana Police Department. Animal Services confiscated 110 cats from the home. The animals were picked up and taken to the already overcrowded Orange County shelter—our shelter—because Santa Ana contracts with OC Animal Care to handle its shelter services.

All cats taken to the Orange County shelter are at great risk, since the cat euthanasia rate at the shelter runs close to 70 percent.

A number of animal rescue groups stepped up almost immediately and managed to get most of the cats out of the shelter. I was contacted through my Facebook rescue group weeks ago to aid in identifying the cats from the raid so that Facebook rescuers could assist in finding them new homes.

I also communicated with a good friend of mine—longtime cat rescue volunteer and RSM resident Jillianne Richards—who stepped in and reluctantly took the helm of CCRN to ensure that the organization kept their commitments to two PetSmart stores in Orange County.

The staff at OC Animal Care came up with a special event that was held on Saturday, March 5, called We're Crazy About Cats!, where a $20 discount on all cats was provided to increase the number of adoptions. According to staff, there were a number of adoptions that day—but not many of the confiscated cats were adopted.

As of late last week, when the story first appeared in the Orange County Register and on television news programs, Tammy Osborn, adoption partner coordinator at OC Animal Care, told me that out of 110 cats confiscated, 17 were put down due to health and/or behavioral issues, 73 were adopted, and 20 were still available. Many of them are black—which was expected—since black animals generally take longer to place. The remaining cats can be seen in the adoptable cats section of the OC Animal Care website.

The most exciting event was the opening of Milo’s Cafe in Foothill Ranch on Saturday. The owner, Scott Sellman, spent two years and a substantial sum of money bringing this unique approach to dog-friendly dining to the local community.

Four dog rescue groups participated in the grand opening, with three dogs being adopted and another two finding foster homes. Plans for Milo’s include regular dog adoption events at the location.

Milo’s looks like any other restaurant inside. However, dogs are welcomed and encouraged on the large covered patio area, where there is a dog concierge waiting for them upon their arrival. Dogs can either sit with their owners at their table or spend their time with other dogs in the dog play area.

The dog-friendlessness isn’t the only thing that Milo’s Cafe has going for it. Sellman created a menu that has something for everyone. I’ve already eaten there twice and can vouch for the quality of the food.

Over at Starr Ranch in Trabuco Canyon, there’s the “owl cam” that has gone viral on YouTube, had a write-up in the Orange County Register and even brought the “amazing” Huell Howser out for an episode of Visiting with Huell Howser on KCET. The Rancho Santa Margarita Historical Society couldn’t get Howser out to RSM for the city’s 10th anniversary—but the owls in Trabuco Canyon brought him out.

There’s been controversy over the owl family being watched in its nest. Viewers have seen one chick looking weaker than the rest. Although there were concerns that he was not eating well, his mom was also observed feeding him while the other chicks were asleep.

Some viewers advocated going into the nest to rescue him, while others felt that humans shouldn’t interfere with natural selection to try to save the chick.

As a bird owner and rescuer myself, I can tell you that very rarely can a bird such as this be saved in the long run, meaning that the chick should be left alone. My experience with rescuing birds—whether injured or a runt— is that they usually die within 24 hours of being rescued.