A three-member City Council committee Tuesday approved the nomination of Gabrielle Amster, who is expected to be the next general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services.
In a 2-0 vote, the Arts, Parks, Libraries and Community Enrichment Committee supported the nominated of Amster, who was selected by Mayor Karen Bass. Councilwomen Ysabel Jurado and Eunissess Hernandez voted yes, and Councilman Adrin Nazarian was absent.
“I am deeply honored to appear before you today as Mayor Bass’ appointee to serve as general manager of LA Animal Services,” Amster told the committee.
Bass’ proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year originally lacked sufficient funding for pet food, veterinary supplies and out-of-kennel enrichment programming. Last week, the City Council restored funding for those items under its revised budget.
“Angelenos showed up. Volunteers, advocates, rescue partners and pet owners made their voices heard, and this council listened. Funding for these essential needs were reinstated, and I want to thank you all, and the community members whose advocacy made that possible,” Amster said.
“This is exactly the kind of response we can continue to build upon as we work together to improve outcomes in our shelter system and across our community,” she added.
As she did two weeks ago in a brief appearance before the department’s Board of Commissioners, Amster stated her commitment to take a “deep dive” into “SOPs and policies” across all six city shelters, to promote effective policies and consistency across the facilities.
Bass named Amster as LAAS’ next general manager on April 17, following a months-long search after former head Staycee Dains resigned in December 2024.
Amster would bring more than 19 years of experience to the role, and was praised by the Mayor’s Office for her diplomatic leadership style.
She was the interim chief operations officer for Furry Friends Humane and Dogs Playing For Life, and previously served as vice president of shelter relations for DocuPet from February to October 2025.
Amster also served as director of the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace from 2021-25, and was executive director of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter from 2018-21.
If confirmed by the council, Amster will take over from Annette Ramirez, who led LAAS on an interim basis for a year and half prior to Dains’ appointment in 2023, and again began leading the department on an interim basis soon after Dains’ departure.
She would be expected to address the department’s euthanasia rate, dilapidated shelter conditions, behavioral issues in some shelter animals, and raising the morale and numbers of the volunteer corps, among other challenges.