LOS ANGELES—Proclaiming October as “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month” in Los Angeles County, the Board of Supervisors called Tuesday for amplified efforts to address overcrowding in animal shelters.
In a motion presented to the board Tuesday, Supervisor Kathryn Barger cited statistics showing overpopulation at adoption centers across the country. The motion also states that the county Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) is being negatively impacted by the shortage of veterinary professionals and increased shelter intake in the county.
Barger said the county’s housing challenges, high cost of living and return to in-person work were all making it hard for individuals to hold on to their pets.
According to Barger, out of 45 contract cities DACC serves, only 27 have enacted spay-and-neuter policies, 28 have adopted mandatory microchipping, and only 25 provide vaccination clinics.
“We expanded our spay and neuter clinics and allocated $100,000 to focus on spay and neuter services in the North Communities,” Barger said, noting that through 16 vet-at-the-park clinics, $300,000 worth of free pet food was distributed.
DACC was asked to report back to the board on strategies to alleviate shelter overcrowding through programs including a spay and neutering ordinance, contributions to the spay and neuter trust fund, microchipping, and others.
DACC, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), and the Department of Human Resources were also directed to report back with plans to increase hiring and training of veterinary staff.
With only 22 approved Registered Veterinary Technician programs in California, and only three in Los Angeles County, DEO was asked to create targeted recruitment programs.
Adopting a related motion by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Lindsey Horvath, October was proclaimed “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month” in the county.
“During Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, we celebrate the unconditional love and companionship that shelter dogs bring to our lives,” Solis said in a statement. “Each adoption not only transforms a life but also enriches our community. To that end, I urge everyone to consider opening their hearts and homes to these deserving animals. Together, we can raise awareness to make sure all adoptable dogs in our shelters find their way into loving homes to residents that want to be pet owners.”
Efforts to increase adoptions during October will include spot adoption events, increased social media outreach, updated adoption websites and education programs on pet care and available resources in the county.
Horvath noted that a “Bark-tober” event organized by the Sylmar City Council was aimed at pet care support through free pet vaccinations, microchipping, wellness exams and more.
Supervisor Janice Hahn, meanwhile, said “Dogtoberfest” events are being held at South Bay Botanic Garden on weekends through October.
