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

Orange County Animal Care and Orange County sheriff’s deputies responded Wednesday to a Lake Forest reptile rescue organization, following up on complaints and checking on the welfare of animals there, authorities said.

Deputies were dispatched to an assistance with cruelty to animals call at 2:26 p.m. at 22762 Aspan Ave., according to Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

OC Animal Care officials were on site “assessing the situation,” said Jessica Novillo, a spokeswoman for the agency.

Other details were not immediately available Wednesday evening.

The address is the site of Reptile Rescue Orange County, a nonprofit organization that aims to “find quality homes for reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and all other exotic animals that people can no longer care for,” according to its website.

Authorities have received multiple reports since the beginning of September about the rescue group, Novillo said. OCAC officials declined Wednesday evening to discuss details of complaints involving Reptile Rescue Orange County.

Authorities contacted the shelter’s owner several times this month and also visited its premises on Sunday, Sept. 22., but had limited access to the facility.

Animal Care staff and volunteers were seen coming in and out of the shelter as late as 6:30 p.m. A foul odor was noticeably present in neighboring businesses, but no living or dead animals appeared to have been removed from the building. The investigation was ongoing.

A representative for Reptile Rescue Orange County could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

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