Hello Monrovians, 

Today we have two important and exciting updates to share. We continue fielding countless calls, emails and messages about Blondie and her two cubs, as many in our community continue to have Blondie in our hearts and on our minds. The City continues working with our state representatives to advocate for certain policy changes like those which led to the euthanization of Blondie. But her two young cubs are still alive and we have an opportunity to help their rehabilitation and be released back into the Angeles National Forest.

Blondie’s two male cubs are receiving specialized care at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center. 

Wildlife veterinarians have completed an initial examination and report that both cubs are in good health and estimated to be approximately 2 to 3 months old. Because they are young, they will require months of intensive, hands-on care... including round-the-clock feeding, medical monitoring, and carefully designed enrichment to help them develop the instincts they will need to survive on their own.

The San Diego Humane Society typically receive 3 to 4 cubs each year, and they have had strong success in releasing animals back into the wild. Their goal is always to return cubs to their original area to avoid disrupting the ecosystem, with typical release windows in October or May/June. October 2026 is a possibility for Blondie’s cubs, pending evaluation, and final approval will ultimately be determined by the State.

Raising and rehabilitating wildlife at this stage requires significant time, expertise, and resources... care costs are approximately $400 per bear cub, per week. For those who have asked how they can help, donations can be made directly to support the cubs’ care and rehabilitation. Contributions will go toward their ongoing medical care, nutrition, and the resources needed to prepare them for a successful return to the wild. In the future, we will also have special merchandise for sale, with all proceeds going toward Blondie’s cubs, so stay tuned.

Over the course of the next several months, we want to promote this campaign to help the bear cubs, further educate our community about living with wildlife, and advocate for policy change that leads to better outcomes for both humans and wildlife. 

Together, we can still give Blondie's cubs the chance to live full, wild lives, and play a small role in their journey. To make a gift to support their care, visit sdhumane.org/monroviabearcubs. All donations go directly to the non-profit for the care of Blondie's bear cubs.

I’m happy to share that Monrovia has once again been named a finalist for the 2026 All-America City Award! We’re excited to be in the running again after earning the All-America City designation in 2024 and being named a finalist in 2023. Our community continues to be recognized for its commitment to civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation, and impact. Please take a moment to review the National Civic League’s announcement naming the City of Monrovia a finalist for the 2026 All-America City Award.

We are excited for the opportunity to once again showcase our community in Denver, Colorado. This year’s theme is “Strengthening Civic Health and Building Trust.” Our 2026 application highlights programs including the Monrovia Police Department’s Community Activist Policing Bureau (CAP) and the San Gabriel Valley Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement (SGV CARE) program, the City's partnership with the Monrovia Community Adult School, and our Biking for Bucks program. To learn more about the event, please take a look at the highlights video from last year. 

Sincerely, 
Dylan