The city of Los Angeles received a $14 million grant from two organizations to support its six animal shelters, it was announced Thursday.
On Wednesday, the City Council authorized the Department of Animal Services to execute the funding agreement with The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Best Friends Animal Society.
The grant is expected to enhance the Department of Animal Services, which handled more than 50,000 animals last year. It has a placement rate of 90% for dogs since 2017, and a save rate of 85% for cats and kittens in 2025.
LAAS will receive $7 million each from the ASPCA and Best Friends to support more than 20 essential staffing positions, including expanded adoption and foster teams and specialized roles for community cat programs. In addition, four experienced consultants from the organizations will be embedded within LAAS facilities to provide hands-on support in training, program development and implementation, and animal health and safety.
“This is a transformational moment for LA Animal Services and for the animals and families who depend on us,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “This historic investment will strengthen our shelters, expand support for pet owners, and create more lifesaving opportunities for animals across Los Angeles.”
The initiative focuses on three core priorities, consisting of improving in-shelter care and operational efficiency, increasing positive outcomes such as adoptions, fostering and reunifications with owners and expanding community engagement and support to keep Los Angelenos and their pets together.
“With this approval, Los Angeles is making a powerful statement about the importance of animals and the people who care for them,” ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said in a statement.
Best Friends CEO Julie Castle added, “This initiative will create transformative outcomes for pets in the shelter system, while honoring the commitment of the employees and volunteers who serve them.”
The ASPCA and Best Friends will support LAAS over an initial three-year period, with LA Animal Services committing to best efforts to sustain key positions and programmatic advancements for an additional three years to ensure lasting impact well beyond the initial investment.