Southern California is infamous for having animal shelters filled with dogs and cats that could easily be winners at pet shows. In 2009, in the City and County of Los Angeles, 102,000 homeless pets were put to sleep due to lack of space. Over 30% of these animals are of purebred and desirable mixes including poodles, Boston terriers, and shepherds.
Animals in shelters are given very little time to be adopted. Overcrowding means that adoptable animals are frequently killed to make room for new arrivals. In crowded shelters, a common cold quickly spreads and a sniffling dog may not be given a second chance. Additionally, Animals may express aggressive behavior simply due to the stressful conditions.
In response, a growing number of people are uniting to create new ways to deliver these animals to loving homes. For example, Yehuda Netanel founded Wings of Rescue, utilizing the skills and resources of volunteer pilots who can fly animals to areas where they are in demand. Also supporting this effort are rescuers who look for animals whose time on death row is up; they pull them from shelters, groom, and socialize them and in merely a few days, the healing power of love can inspire incredible transformations.
You can take action and help make a difference by saving pets’ lives and changing the animal culture in Southern California.
1. Volunteer
Give of your time, either through social networking, marketing, piloting a plane, fundraising, or more. Even a few hours can have a powerful impact.
2. Donate
Support educational campaigns and innovative programs such as Precious Cargo Rescue Partners, a collaborative effort where volunteer pilots transport homeless pets from death row to reputable rescues and sanctuaries.
3. Visit Shelters
Some LA County shelters are high kill facilities, including Lancaster, Carson, Downey, and Baldwin Park. There house wonderful pets that don’t receive enough public exposure and have a small window to get adopted.
4. Adopt from Rescues
Rescuers visit shelters, save dogs and cats, have them spayed/neutered, groom them, love them, and learn their personalities. Resources include Petfinder, Pet Connect, and Adopt a Pet. If you are looking for a specific breed, search for a breed rescue (they’re found around the country).
5. Join an online Rescue Network
Join the Facebook networks across North America of people collaborating to save homeless pets. Visit the Pet Connect and Pet Pardons Facebook pages to share information about animals at risk.
6. Foster an animal
Shelters and fosters are overcrowded. Fostering involves accepting one or more homeless pets into your home offering safe haven and giving them an 80% better chance of staying alive.
7. Spay/Neuter
In the City of Los Angeles, spaying and neutering is the law. With so many animals in shelters, spay/neuter and educate your friends and family members.
8. Speak up!
Your tax dollars pay for LA County shelters. With the high euthanasia rate at these shelters and a lack of communication between the Directors of Animal Care and Control and the public, LA 4 Animals is pushing for a Town Hall meeting. Please support government accountability.
Pet Finder: petfinder.com
Adopt a Pet: adoptapet.com
PetConnect.us: petconnect.us
PetConnect.us Facebook page: facebook.com/PetConnect.Us
Pet Pardons Facebook page: facebook.com/petpardons
Linda Raya Carel is an animal activist and founder of LA 4 Animals Foundation: la4animals.com. Contact the organization to volunteer or donate at: la4animals@gmail.com.
