Update — July 1, 2026: We did it! Today, the Los Angeles City Council approved a groundbreaking partnership between Los Angeles Animal Services, the ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society. This historic investment will provide more than $14 million over the next three years to strengthen Los Angeles Animal Services by expanding lifesaving programs, increasing staffing, and providing the support needed to better serve animals and the communities that care for them.
The ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society will support implementation over the next three years while working alongside Los Angeles Animal Services to help ensure these improvements continue well into the future.
As one of the largest municipal shelters in the country, Los Angeles Animal Service serves approximately 50,000 animals and responds to more than 20,000 emergency calls involving animals and people in danger. As the landscape of animal sheltering continues to evolve rapidly, Los Angeles Animal Services is facing overwhelming demand.
This groundbreaking proposal meets that challenge head-on by bringing in the staffing, training and operational support needed to implement lasting change for LA’s people and pets. Now approved, this proposal will:
- Provide funding for 23 critical new staff positions, expanded adoption and foster teams and specialists dedicated to community cat programs.
- Embed experienced professionals from the ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society directly within Los Angeles Animal Services facilities to support leadership in program development and implementation and provide staff training and support.
- Enhance services for LA’s residents to help keep people and their pets together and reduce strain on city shelters.
- Expand pet foster care capacity, adoption services and return-to-owner strategies to help more animals find loving homes.
- Provide comprehensive staff training across animal care, shelter medicine, volunteer engagement, data management and community outreach.
This major milestone for animal welfare in Los Angeles demonstrates what's possible when community members, city leaders and advocates like you come together to invest in lasting change.
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