Mayor Karen Bass Friday named Gabrielle Amster as the next general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, following a months-long search after former head Staycee Dains resigned in December 2024.
Amster brings more than 19 years of experience to the role, according to the mayor’s office, which described her as a recognized leader across both municipal and nonprofit sectors with a diplomatic leadership style.
Her nomination is expected to go before the City Council’s Arts, Parks, Libraries and Community Enrichment Committee, followed by consideration by the full council.
“Ensuring the highest standard of care for animals in Los Angeles requires experienced leadership and a clear commitment to progress,” Bass said in a statement.
“Gabrielle Amster has spent nearly two decades advancing innovative approaches in animal welfare, building strong teams, and improving lifesaving outcomes,” Bass added. “I am confident she will bring steady leadership and a forward-looking vision that strengthens the department and improves services for both animals and the communities that care for them.”
Amster, in a statement, thanked the mayor for her selection.
“It will be a privilege to support and collaborate with the skilled and dedicated team in the department,” Amster said in her statement. “I look forward to supporting and harnessing the considerable talents and energy of our essential volunteers, and I am eager to work closely with New Hope rescues and other valued partners to provide the highest standard of care and best positive outcomes. The people and pets of Los Angeles deserve every opportunity to thrive together.”
Amster currently serves as the interim chief operations officer for Furry Friends Humane and Dogs Playing For Life.
She previously served as vice president of shelter relations for DocuPet from February to October 2025, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Amster also served as director of the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace from Sept. 2021 to Feb. 2025, as well as an executive director of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter from Oct. 2018 to Sept. 2021.
“We look forward to working with Ms. Amster, an established leader in animal welfare who has demonstrated a passion and commitment to improving the experience and outcomes for sheltered animals,” Aimee Sadler, founder and CEO of Dogs Playing for Life said in a statement. “We anticipate all good things for LAAS under her leadership.”
Staycee Dains, former general manager of the animal department, resigned in December 2024 after taking a paid leave in August of that year.
Annette Ramirez, who led Los Angeles Animal Services on an interim basis for a year and half prior to Dains’ appointment in 2023, again began leading the department soon after.
Dains, who formerly led Long Beach’s animal services department, had not responded to inquiries related to her departure.
Dains addressed issues related to volunteers during her tenure but still faced overcrowding and other challenges at the department’s six shelters, some having plagued the department long before her arrival.
In May 2025, Dains gave an interview to the Los Angeles Times, in which she alleged mistreatment and neglect of animals by city employees. Dains told The Times it was nearly impossible to fire problematic workers outright, and did not receive support from Bass’ office or the Personnel Department.
During her tenure, a Times analysis found about 1,224 dogs were euthanized between January 2024 to September 2024, an increase of 72% compared to the same period in 2023. Some 1,517 cats were euthanized, also a 17% increase from 2023.
Dains had defended her policies on euthansia, telling The Times it was just not safe for the animals, staff and volunteers to “warehouse” dogs in kennels for months or years.
A spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office had denied Dains’ claims and characterized them as inaccuracies.
The Mayor’s Office maintained they provided support for Dains to succeed.
Meanwhile, the city has settled litigation over shelter dogs attacking volunteers.
Bass and the City Council have previously approved new policies to address illegal dog breeding in the city, and reduce the shelter system’s overcrowding, among other things.