From gentle giants to scruffy youngsters and everyone in between, the L.A.’s shelter dogs and cats are wagging their tails with excitement to find their new homes. Adoption fees across the six city-run animal shelters have been cut in half this month, in an effort to reduce shelter overcrowding.
The Biggies and Meow-Meows Adoption Event lasts for the rest of July and is sponsored by the Paula Kent Meehan Pet Care Foundation.
“Especially now, because spring is a natural procreation season, the city shelters are overrun with dogs and cats and kittens,” said Bill Crowe, the foundation’s director. “The event serves as an incentive and it’s great to see people adopting and fostering.”
The event features a 50% cut in fees charged to anyone who adopts a good-sized dog, a puppy or a cat. Under the temporary lowered fees, dogs who weigh more than 40 lbs. cost $51 and puppies cost $75. Cats cost $12.50 and kittens, $25.
There is no reduced fee for adopting small dogs, who tend to get adopted pretty fast, according to Crowe.
L.A.’s six city-run shelters are all participating in the reduced fee event, and they include the West Valley shelter in Chatsworth, the East Valley shelter in Van Nuys, the Harbor Area shelter in San Pedro, the South L.A. shelter in Inglewood, the West L.A. shelter in Santa Monica and the North Central shelter in downtown L.A.
As the city grapples with animal shelter overcrowding, the Los Angeles Board of Animal Services Commission on Tuesday, July 9, approved a proposal to increase the limit of dogs per household from three to four. The plan now goes to Mayor Karen Bass and the L.A. City Council.
Crowe said potential pet owners should do their research and be prepared before adopting.
“Make sure you’re ready to adopt an animal, because we want it to be a forever home, not a mistake,” Crowe said. “And if you’re ready, it’s important to adopt from a rescue shelter because these animals are really in need of homes, rather than the ones you can buy from breeders.”
The Harbor Area city animal shelter — which serves Harbor City, San Pedro, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington — urges the public via its website to “reconsider surrendering your pet to a shelter” because the city’s shelters are operating at “max” capacity.
Crowe emphasized that by adopting from a shelter, “pet owners can save a life,” because many animals are euthanized due to overcrowding. “The shelter animals are in danger of not making it out alive, it’s just a fact,” he said. “So, if you can save a life and find a wonderful new furry companion, then do so.”
Animals adopted from an L.A. city shelter come already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and licensed, so each furry friend will be ready to explore the world with their new owner.
“Finding loving homes for pets in our Centers is a collaborative effort between rescue partners, the community and LA Animal Services,” said Staycee Dains, General Manager for L.A. Animal Services. “With our shelters beyond capacity with amazing pets, we are grateful for the continued support of the Paula Kent Meehan Pet Care Foundation to help us find homes for the animals in our care.
