Officials groom merchant

Gina Kantzavedian may have degrees in engineering and computer

science, but she “hasn’t been happier” since leaving her Willard

Marine job as a naval architect to pursue her life’s love of caring

for animals.

But the Laguna Beach businesswoman, owner of Animal Crackers, a

pet supplies and grooming facility, has allegedly run afoul of laws

governing animals and adoptions, according to Animal Services

officials.

Kantzavedian has been investigated for allegedly selling animals

without a license, has been cited for possessing a ferret, and is

suspected by authorities of violating laws governing animal

adoptions.

Animal Services officer Joy Falk says she intends to see that

Kantzabedian complies with the law by expanding upon her grooming

permit to authorize legal adoptions -- or face the consequences.

Kantzavedian is back in operation after her license to operate was

suspended for a day , and she has hired an attorney to look into the

various issues she faces.

One thing she is not doing is halting her efforts to find good

homes for animals that have been abandoned.

“They say because I’m not an animal control person I’m not doing

things properly,” said Kantzavedian. “I keep records on every animal

for shots and neutering, and each one gets a microchip so the owner

can find it if it gets lost.”

Animal Services claims to have received several citizen complaints

concerning Animal Crackers and Kantzavedian’s operation of the shop.

“We told the owner no adoptions without a permit; she was told to

comply, but she didn’t,” said Falk.

“I agree, people should follow the law,” said Kantzavedian.

The first warning was verbal, and a second written, Falk said. At

one point Kantzavedian’s permit to operate was suspended after she

was found to have a ferret in her store -- which in California is

illegal -- in addition to the other allegations of improper

practices. The permit was reinstated the next day.

Kantzavedian does not believe there were ever any citizen

complaints, and says she is certain she is running a safe adoption

practice. All of her animals come from pounds throughout Los Angeles

and Orange Counties, to which she pays required fees.

Estimating to have served as an adoption or foster agent for 2,000

to 3,000 animals throughout her life, Kantzavedian said she rejects

around 40% of her applicants.

“It has to be a love affair,” says Kantzavedian, who does not

charge for her services. “When I see people greet animals with hugs

and get tears in their eyes I know its good.”

All applicants sign an adoption agreement which binds them to

proper care for the animal with adequate diet, shelter, medical care,

and a safe and loving environment, she says. Kantzavedian says she

does inspections of adoptees’ homes to see the contract enforced.

Where Animal Services officials see their purpose as enforcing

laws, Kantzavedian sees herself as a matchmaker between an animal and

a loving home.

It is illegal in Laguna Beach to give away animals unless it is

out of the home, according to Animal Services.

According to Falk, certain guidelines have been set up to ensure

that animals given up for adoption come from healthy environments,

and are properly cared for. This involves the issuance of permits to

qualified holders, and the keeping of paperwork to track the source

of where the animals come from.

Recent problems involving diseased animals bred in Mexican “puppy

mills” that have made their way to Southern California only to die in

a short time have increased official’s concerns over animal

adoptions.