Q: What is the purpose of the proposed joint funding from the ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society to LA Animal Services?

A: This proposal is the first collaboration of this scale between the ASPCA and Best Friends who are both committed to make an impact on LA’s animals. Through a combination of funding and expertise, the initiative is designed to strengthen the City’s system to promote sustainability, accountability, and effectuate lasting change.

Q: Why are only the ASPCA and Best Friends (and not any other animal welfare organizations) part of this?

A: The ASPCA and Best Friends are two fo the leading animal welfare organizations in the country, and are uniquely qualified and experienced in pet lifesaving efforts in Los Angeles. Both organizations have worked closely with LA Animal Services over the years. we are grateful that they have come together to support the LA Animal Services and the animals in our care.

Q: Is this a takeover of LA Animal Services? 

A: Absolutely not. Best Friends and the ASPCA are coming together to help at the behest of the city. One of the main aspects of this partnership is for Best Friends and ASPCA to provide training for LA Animal Services staff on proven lifesaving and efficient workflow practices. Training may include items such as safe animal handling, disease control and sanitation practices, safety protocols like cat and dog body and cat and dog handling, adoption process and client service, staff performance management, and management development. 

Q: What does this mean for staff? for volunteers?

A: Both staff and volunteers at LA Animal Services will benefit from this support as the initiative focuses on creating a faster, more efficient path for animals in our shelters to find loving homes through adoptions, fostering, and reunification with owners. 

For shelter staff, the initiative will provide training on proven lifesaving and efficient workflow practices that increase positive outcomes for animals, prevent unneccessary shelter intake, and free up resources to provide care for animals with the most need in our Centers.

Q: Why a three-year timeframe? 

A: According to the proposed agreement between the ASPCA, Best Friends, and the City of Los Angeles, the City will make reasonable efforts to fund the additional positions after the three years of grant funding. We know that it can take time to see the results of programming, particularly for large municipal shelter systems, and therefore a phased approach that progressively builds with each phase is key. 

Q: What happens after the three years are up? 

A: LA Animal Services will request the funding and assume responsibility for maintaining the added staff positions to ensure the Initiative’s impact extends well beyond three years. By that time, the Department will have a robust foster program, pathway planning, necessary leadership positions, and a team dedicated to getting animals adopted.  

Q: Why not invest directly in spay/neuter? 

A: This proposal represents a coordinated effort to support shelter staff and strengthen and stabilize shelter operations to meaningfully improve care, safety, and outcomes for the city’s animals.

Q: Does this mean you will euthanize fewer animals?

A: That is the goal as the priorities of this initiative include: 

• Preventing unnecessary shelter intake;
• Improving in-shelter care and operational efficiency to ensure animals receive timely, coordinated care; and 
• Increasing positive outcomes for animals through adoptions, fostering, and reunification with owners. 

Q: Why is this money not going to help dogs on Skid Row?

A: The joint funding proposed by the ASPCA and Best Friends focuses on strengthening and enhancing services for animals being cared for in our six LA City shelters.

LA Animal Services continues to work closely with LAPD on the initiative introduced by Mayor Karen Bass last year to enhance animal welfare in Skid Row, which increases resources and specialized investigations, and provides basic support to pet owners where needed.