Latest news with #LosAngelesAnimalServices
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- General
- Los Angeles Times
This innovative effort to save L.A.'s shelter dogs fosters human friendships too
Wee soccer players squeal past a cluster of seniors practicing tai chi. The Metro rumbles by. Joggers crunch along gravel paths. A man on a bench eats a burrito. 'We chose this place for the distractions,' says Priscilla Johnston, who, along with her foster dog, Simon, and a group of 12 other dogs and their handlers, has assembled at Los Angeles State Historic Park in Chinatown. They're at the park on this overcast Sunday morning to learn leash skills. Despite the smorgasbord of sights, sounds and smells, the dogs remain impressively on task, calmly walking beside their humans until Simon — a sleek, young Black Mouth Cur mix with a white-tipped tail — unexpectedly steps into a puddle and leaps skyward. 'Water excites him,' says Johnston, with a laugh. Simon and friends are a subset of Los Angeles Animal Services shelter dogs being fostered through an innovative, volunteer-run nonprofit called Dog Coalition Los Angeles. This organization supports fosters with guidance, training classes and a community of peers on the same foster journey. Dog Coalition's Sunday leash classes help the dogs build confidence by exposing them to new experiences in a positive, controlled way. While socialization is beneficial for any dog, it also greatly improves a shelter dog's chances of adoption, which is a matter of survival. Amid L.A.'s ongoing animal overpopulation crisis, healthy and adoptable pets are at constant risk of euthanasia for lack of space. Dog Coalition's efforts to free up kennel space and ensure successful adoptions improve the odds not just for dogs in the program, but for all city shelter dogs. The program's process begins by thoughtfully matching dogs (who are more than 35 pounds — the demographic in greatest need) with fosters. All seven Dog Coalition team members are also city shelter volunteers, so they run playgroups and get to know the dogs at North Central shelter in Lincoln Heights, where the program is based. At the same time, they build relationships with fosters, interviewing applicants to learn about their lifestyle, household and dog experience. Once a dog and foster are paired, the team guides the foster in creating a calm, structured environment in which the dog can relax, then introduces some basic training and socialization. Ultimately, the dog is matched with an adopter using the same considered rubric, and the happily ever after ensues. While the idea of placing shelter dogs in private foster homes is not new, this program enhances the foster experience for both its human and canine participants. Since its formation in 2022, the program has partnered with over 80 fosters to help more than 270 shelter dogs. Impressive numbers for a small organization, but only a partial solution considering the city shelter system's 'Dog Occupancy Meter' reported 1,541 dogs in early July — more than double the city's capacity. 'Their support of our foster community ensures fosters have the assistance they need, while their work to match shelter dogs with loving families contributes to the welfare and successful adoption rates of our animals,' Animal Services Interim General Manager Annette Ramirez said in an emailed statement. Despite the discouraging statistics, it's a lighthearted scene around the water bowls during a break at the Sunday leash class. One foster regales the group with a tale of stolen focaccia. 'But he's a great dog,' he says, affectionately scratching behind the thief's ears. 'We need to work on that counter surfing,' responds team member Soyoung Kim. Another foster affects a Southern drawl, providing entertaining commentary from the perspective of a low-slung beagle mix named Loreta. A third group discusses the merits of using a 'nose band,' a leash technique inspired by equestrian tack. 'It's like a bra — not comfortable at first, but good support,' says Johnston. Team members offer extra guidance to newer fosters, and experienced fosters often step in to help. 'We love our repeat fosters!' says team member Carter Goffigon. 'Don't get me wrong, we love new fosters too, but our experienced fosters already learned the foundations, so they are trained themselves.' Goffigon estimates that at least a third of the program's participants return to foster again. One couple has fostered 11 dogs in just three years. The coalition's team members also foster, like Goffigon and her husband, Tim Maher, who maintain a household comprising 'three permanents and one rotating dog.' Originating under the name Foster For Life, the program came to be when a group of shelter volunteers and two rescues — Blue Man Dog and A Purposeful Rescue — created a model for a foster support program rooted in thoughtfulness and education to address the shelter system's overpopulation issues. The rescues have since moved on to implement a similar model at the South L.A. shelter. Meanwhile, remaining team members, sensing the potential for broader impact and inspired by a growing community of dog-loving Angelenos, rebranded themselves as Dog Coalition Los Angeles. Fostering remains the group's focus, but Goffigon says there's a push to document and share their educational materials with a wider audience. A free adoption guide is available to the public on the program's website. But community, above all else, sets this program apart. Fosters get to know one another during weekly training classes and Zoom meetings. Playgroups and adoption events, often hosted at convivial spots— like Creature's Plants & Coffee in Eagle Rock or the Hermosillo, a bar in Highland Park— are another chance to connect in person. They also follow each dog's progress via updates on the coalition's Instagram. Friendships among fosters often form organically, but team member Bismark Padilla says they sometimes pair people based on geography or dog play style, or they might match an apartment dweller with someone who has a yard. It can be social or an opportunity to help each other. Thomas Hinkamp often travels for work, but connecting with other fosters who can watch his dog Zamora when he's away has made fostering possible for him. 'Everyone's looking out for the dogs, and for the fosters as well,' he says. Dog Coalition's educational approach makes fostering accessible for first-timers, commonly attracting people new to town. This was the case for Gretchen Craig, who, after a year of living in L.A., fostered a spotted husky mix named Lilac. Ultimately Craig 'foster failed,' a term used in dog circles to indicate the happy outcome when a foster decides to adopt their dog. 'I do miss the ritual of Sunday leash class,' she admits, but both she and Lilac made lasting friendships. The program also appeals to Angelenos who desire dog companionship but aren't ready to commit — whether they're grieving a beloved pet, unable to take on the financial responsibility or uncertain about their future plans. Then there's the breed of human who sees fostering for Dog Coalition as a chance to hone their dog skills among an experienced group of handlers. Outside the park, Padilla runs into program 'alums' — Jack Goodman and his 'foster fail' Felisha, an amber-eyed shepherd mix. 'We told Jack we needed a special person to handle this dog,' says Padilla, referencing Felisha's fear-based reactivity. 'We're very careful — we never want to put a dog in a wrong situation. But it sparked something in Jack. He was up to the challenge.' 'Some people have pottery class, but this was the best extracurricular I could have found!' says Goodman. Echoing this sentiment from an adopter's standpoint, Monique Boudreaux chose an energetic working-breed dog because she wanted to learn more about behavior and training. 'I knew I wanted a dog that would be a challenge,' she says, 'but I also wanted a support system.' Boudreaux and her partner, Dana Greenawald, adopted Johnston's previous foster, a long-limbed Doberman mix named Velcro. With a small dog already at home, they appreciated having Johnston's insights into Velcro's personality and the chance to introduce the dogs before committing. While Dog Coalition's official process culminates with adoption, the relationships formed along the way often continue. Johnston, for instance, handled the inevitable bittersweetness of sending a foster dog on to its forever home by befriending Velcro's adopters. 'It was love at first sight,' says Boudreaux, referring to Velcro and also her friendship with Johnston. 'This community makes it so easy to create strong bonds. Everyone wants to help dogs, so they're obviously good people, but they are also driven and willing to work so hard for something they love.' At a playgroup hosted in a City Terrace backyard, humans — fosters, adopters and others — crowd into thin slices of shade along the garage to beat the afternoon heat, fondly watching dogs delight in chasing and being chased. Each of these dogs is a common denominator for several people, a source of their connection and shared joy. 'It's amazing to see everyone working together to advocate for these dogs,' says Craig, who plans to foster again once she and Lilac move into a bigger apartment. 'It creates an incredible sense of belonging.' Foster, adopt, view educational materials or donate via the website. Attend an adoption event. 'We like the community showing up to say hi to the dogs, which helps them have positive experiences in meeting new people,' Johnston says. Updated events are posted on Instagram.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- General
- Los Angeles Times
‘Distressing and alarming.' More than 400 guinea pigs found at a South Los Angeles home
Animal rescue volunteers this week found more than 400 guinea pigs at a South Los Angeles home, living in 'unsanitary and overcrowded' conditions. Now they're asking the public to help foster or adopt some of the rescued animals or to provide donations that will fund medical support and supplies. Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue said volunteers found hundreds of guinea pigs on Thursday evening in what they described as a 'distressing and alarming' scene. Some of the animals were dead. Others had medical problems including ringworm and open wounds. The guinea pigs, some pregnant or newborns, didn't have enough water or proper food. 'As the tenant had stated, she was unable to feed the population of guinea pigs, the rescue team's initial objective was to provide food, evaluate potential health issues, and begin to source overflow rescues and responsible homes,' the group said in a press release. A group spokesperson could not be reached for comment Saturday. The guinea pigs, which eat grass hay, vegetables and pellets, were living off of corn husks. A video posted on YouTube showed guinea pigs scurrying around the residence, some hiding in beer boxes or crowded in a cage without food. The group contacted the tenant after learning from an email from a Los Angeles Animal Services coordinator that she had hoarded 200 guinea pigs at her home and faced eviction if she didn't relocate them by Saturday. But it turned out the woman had a lot more guinea pigs than was described. The group said they're concerned after being told that a Los Angeles Animal Services lieutenant visited the property and determined the guinea pigs were healthy and had enough shelter, food and water. A representative for Los Angeles Animal Services could not be reached for comment Saturday. 'We urge City officials and the animal welfare community to fully investigate this case and improve systemic response protocols. Shelter officials must be accountable if anything happens to these animals,' the press release said. The group along with the Rescue Garden, Wee Companions and Vegas Friends of Guinea Pigs Rescue removed 33 guinea pigs. They prioritized animals that were pregnant, newborns, those suffering from health conditions and others that were the most vulnerable. The Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue group can be reached at socalguineapigrescue@ or through its website. Contact information for other animal rescue groups is also listed in the group's press release.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
LA would need to close half of its animal shelters under Bass' proposed budget cuts
The Brief Los Angeles Animal Services may be one of the city departments hit hardest by Mayor Karen Bass' proposed budget cuts. The cuts would force the department to close at least three of its six shelters. "Euthanasia will increase dramatically," LAAS Interim GM Annette Ramirez said. LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass' proposed budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year could hit Los AngelesAnimal Services hard. While shelters across the city have been well over capacity for months, budget cuts could force the closure of at least three shelters and layoffs for dozens of employees. The backstory Los Angeles is facing a $1 billion budget deficit. In her State of the City address this week, Bass laid out the proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which includes more than 1,600 layoffs and major cuts to many departments. By the numbers Bass' budget would cut nearly $5 million from the LAAS budget. According to City Controller Kenneth Mejia, the cuts would eliminate nearly a third of the department's staff positions. Only three city departments — youth development, disability and city planning — face more staff cuts, proportionally. FOX 11 obtained a city memo from LAAS Interim General Manager Annette Ramirez on the proposed cuts. In it, Ramirez said the cuts would force at least three of the department's six shelters to close. The Harbor, West Los Angeles and West Valley shelters would be closed, Ramirez said. In total, 62 employees will have to be laid off, including animal care technicians, Animal Control officers, veterinary technicians and more. Sixty additional vacant positions will also be eliminated. Why you should care Los Angeles' animal shelters have been facing overcrowding for years. Last year, FOX 11 reported employees' concerns that shelters were euthanizing healthy dogs just to make room. A month later, LAAS General Manager Staycee Danis resigned. In the city's memo, Ramirez said that the closures would shift more of a burden to the remaining shelters, and that "the three remaining facilities will quickly run out of space to maintain animals." Making room would "require the Department to revert back to old procedures for euthanizing animals… The number of euthanasia will increase dramatically." What they're saying LAAS employees tell FOX 11 that currently, between five and 10 dogs are euthanized a week, simply because of overcrowding. "When a dog gets [listed for euthanasia], they'll take a dog off the website, they'll put them in the back, where they're not available for public view," one employee told FOX 11. "So they're setting this dog to die and then giving them the littlest chance to get out of the shelter as possible." "This shelter system is so overburdened and to cut the budget and fire staff members is ludicrous," said Rene Ruston, founder of Start Rescue. "These budget cuts are a knee-jerk reaction. This is not leadership. Leadership finds ways to increase revenue." Ruston argues that the city should prioritize revenue-generating efforts—like stronger enforcement of pet licensing—over slashing services. "If you need more money for your shelter system, go canvas for licensing. I see dogs every day that are not licensed—go after it. That's money you're not capturing," she said. Susie Ross, a volunteer at a local animal shelter, called the situation unacceptable."What is going on is disgusting, and we need to do something about this," she said. "We cannot allow this to happen." The other side In response to FOX 11's request for comment over the proposed shelter closures, Bass' Deputy Mayor for Communications Zach Seidl said "this is false." "We set aside funding in the Unappropriated Balance to restore those cuts, including the full restoration of the filled position cuts at Animal Services." But Ruston remains skeptical. "She can deny it all she wants," Ruston said, on Bass. "There's a response from the shelter director, and I would put more credence in what she says than what Karen Bass is saying. You've seen the fire department dispute her words, now the animal shelter is disputing her words. I no longer believe what she says." What's next Animal advocates are holding multiple protests to speak out against the proposed cuts over the next few days, including one at Van Nuys City Hall at 1 p.m. on Friday, and one at Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, April 28, at 3 p.m. They're calling on animal lovers across the city to show up and make their voices heard. The full letter from LAAS Interim GM Annette Ramirez can be read below. Click to open this PDF in a new window. The Source Information in this story is from interviews with Los Angeles Animal Services employees, Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia's X account, a memo from LAAS Interim GM Annette Ramirez, LA Mayor Karen Bass' office and previous FOX 11 reports.
