To the Editor:
I appreciate your ongoing attention to the longstanding challenges within L.A. Animal Services. Many crucial public departments, including this one, still suffer from chronic underfunding, leading to significant understaffing issues. Resolving this problem is a complex puzzle, even as animal advocates persistently call for increased financial support.
Expanding access to efficient spay and neuter programs is essential, as is putting a stop to breeding in puppy mills. Furthermore, California needs to block the entry of animals from out-of-state puppy mills.
It’s heartening to hear that some positive changes are already underway. The volunteers and rescue organizations who dedicate their resources and compassion to addressing this issue deserve our wholehearted recognition. I hope the city enacts a policy allowing more apartment residents to keep pets.
Adopted animals enrich our lives in countless ways. Acknowledging the benefits they bring, we must continue our efforts to overhaul our shelter system, aiming to make Los Angeles proud.
Elaine Livesey-Fassel, Los Angeles
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To the Editor:
Addressing the overcrowding in L.A.’s shelters involves understanding the dynamics of supply and demand. For larger breeds, senior dogs, and those with medical concerns or extended shelter stays, adopters are noticeably absent.
In simple terms, the market in L.A. is oversaturated.
Since 2022, the rescue organization I manage has implemented several initiatives to relocate dogs to partnering organizations outside the immediate area. These partners have vacant kennels and eager fosters and adopters.
By collaborating with shelter volunteers, networkers, and transporters, we can move the most vulnerable dogs to welcoming communities.
Jill Dyché, Encino
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To the Editor:
The article missed mentioning fostering, a crucial lifesaver for shelter dogs. Fostering can rescue dogs deemed for euthanasia by giving them a temporary home until they find permanent ones. Even short-term fostering can save a dog’s life.
Rescue groups are in desperate need of foster homes. Without places to house these animals, they cannot help them. Often, fostering incurs no costs, and numerous resources are available for support.
The community must step up to save these innocent lives. Each of the 1,224 dogs euthanized this year had a heart full of life. I knew some of them and mourn their passing.
Melissa Levy, Los Angeles
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To the Editor:
Thank you for your editorial focusing on solutions for Los Angeles Animal Services. It inspired me to share our great experience with OC Animal Care shelter this fall.
We wanted a small or medium young dog. I met several candidates in their play area, always accompanied by staff or volunteers. The dogs were lovely but too energetic for us, considering my husband’s fall risk.
A volunteer suggested I consider a larger, high-exercise dog with a calmer demeanor since I was willing to stay active. I immediately connected with a 1-year-old Doberman Pinscher Lab mix, a gentle giant.
My husband was hesitant, but the shelter offered a two-week foster trial, staying in close contact throughout.
At the trial’s end, I called to complete the adoption. When I inquired about fees, the staff informed me that giant dogs over 30 days were free, and they also provided a voucher for our first vet visit.
Now, Beaux and our family live happily ever after.
Jennifer Koon, Anaheim
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To the Editor:
Great suggestion! Let’s put an end to the euthanizing of animals.
Moreover, let’s encourage veterinarians to charge reasonable rates for neutering. Spaying my 10-month-old puppy cost me $1,008, an outrageous amount for such a routine procedure. This expense is a significant obstacle for those wanting to be responsible pet owners.
My father, a veterinarian, allowed me the privilege of assisting with countless operations, including straightforward neutering procedures on various pets. Every month, he volunteered a day to neuter pets for free, irrespective of the owner’s financial status, in both his practice and a shelter in Syracuse, N.Y.
The high cost of veterinary care in Los Angeles shocks me.
Sara R. Nichols, Los Angeles
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To the Editor:
As your editorial highlights, L.A. Animal Services shelters face severe underfunding, understaffing, and overcrowding. It’s inhumane and brings shame to L.A.’s reputation as an enlightened city. If the city government genuinely cared about these complex issues, they would allocate more budget to solve them.
Altering management, leveraging volunteers, and aligning with private nonprofit rescues can help only to an extent. What’s critical is a substantial funding boost to hire more staff and upgrade facilities for these abandoned animals.
We must urge the mayor and City Council to make this a priority.
Judith Vogelsang, North Hollywood
