LA Animal Services Faces Audit Amid Overcrowding, Euthanasia Concerns
LA Animal Shelters Face Scrutiny as City Controller Announces Performance Audit
LOS ANGELES - Facing mounting pressure over overcrowding and rising euthanasia rates, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services (LAAS) will undergo a thorough performance audit. The city Controller’s Office announced the audit Wednesday, aiming to identify solutions to the department’s long-standing challenges.
The audit will delve into three key areas: the adequacy of animal care provided by the city, the effectiveness of programs designed to save animals, and the capacity of LAAS facilities to manage the current demand. To ensure a thorough evaluation, the Controller’s audit Services division will collaborate with a consultant specializing in animal shelter operations and veterinary care.
“Our audit aims to give LAAS,the public,and policymakers a detailed understanding of LAAS’ struggle to provide adequate care,and the audit will identify ways the system can be improved,both at current funding levels and with additional funding,” Controller Kenneth Mejia said in a statement.”We hope the city can use our audit’s findings to improve the lives of our city’s pets,” he added.
This announcement follows the recent resignation of staycee Dains, who stepped down as LAAS general manager after a brief tenure marked by controversy surrounding overcrowding and euthanasia rates.Dains’ departure, effective just days ago, came after a period of paid leave. Annette Ramirez, who previously served as interim director for a year and a half, has resumed leadership of the department.
A recent Los Angeles Times analysis revealed a stark increase in euthanasia rates at LAAS shelters. Between January and September,approximately 1,224 dogs were euthanized,a 72% surge compared to the same period last year. Cat euthanasia also rose by 17%, with 1,517 felines euthanized.
While these figures paint a concerning picture, Mayor Karen Bass’ office highlighted a positive trend: approximately 25,000 animals were adopted or rescued from the city’s six shelters during the same period, representing a 17% increase compared to 2023.
Despite these adoptions, LAAS has repeatedly raised concerns about insufficient funding and staffing levels. reports have also surfaced detailing inadequate care for animals in shelters, with some dogs going weeks or months without walks.
According to the controller, LAAS shelters took in roughly 39,000 dogs and cats in 2023 alone. “Its mission is to provide care for L.A.’s animals, and it strives for a 90% save-rate, which are nearly impossible tasks given that the city recently reduced the department’s operating budget by $1.4 million to $30.3 million this fiscal year — a fraction of the $5.9 billion total operating budget for all city departments,” Mejia stated.
The performance audit is expected to shed light on the systemic issues plaguing LAAS and provide recommendations for enhancement.The findings will be crucial in guiding the city’s efforts to ensure the humane treatment and well-being of animals in its care.
Under the Microscope: LA Animal Shelters Face Scrutiny as City Controller Announces Performance Audit
NewsDirect3.com – Los Angeles, CA:
Following public outcry over overcrowded conditions and rising euthanasia rates, Los Angeles Animal Shelters (LAAS) will be subject to a complete performance audit.
City Controller Kenneth Mejia announced the audit Wednesday, emphasizing a commitment to transparency and betterment.
“Our audit aims to give LAAS, the public, and policymakers a detailed understanding of LAAS’ struggle to provide adequate care, and the audit will identify ways the system can be improved, both at current funding levels and wiht additional funding,” Mejia said in a statement.
The audit will focus on three critical areas:
Quality of animal care: Examining whether LAAS is meeting the basic needs of animals in its care.
Effectiveness of animal saving programs: Assessing the success of programs designed to find homes for animals or provide other alternatives to euthanasia.
* Facility capacity: Evaluating whether LAAS facilities are equipped to handle the current volume of animals they receive.
To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, the Controller’s Audit Services division will collaborate with an external consultant specializing in animal shelter operations and veterinary care.
The announcement comes on the heels of the recent resignation of LAAS General Manager Staycee Dains, who stepped down amid controversy surrounding shelter conditions and rising euthanasia rates. Dains’ departure follows a period of paid leave. Annette Ramirez,who previously served as interim director,has resumed leadership of the department.
A recent Los Angeles Times analysis revealed a concerning trend: between january and September, approximately 1,224 dogs were euthanized, a 72% surge compared to the same period last year. Cat euthanasia also rose by 17% to 1,517 felines. Despite these figures, Mayor Karen Bass’ office highlights a silver lining: around 25,000 animals were adopted or rescued from LAAS shelters during the same period, a 17% increase compared to 2023.
However, LAAS officials have repeatedly raised concerns about inadequate funding and staffing levels, which they say contribute to the challenges faced by the department. Reports have also surfaced detailing concerning conditions for some animals in shelters, including dogs going weeks or months without walks.
The Controller’s office noted that LAAS shelters took in roughly 39,000 dogs and cats in 2023 alone.
“Its mission is to provide care for L.A.’s animals, and it strives for a 90% save-rate, which are nearly impossible tasks given that the city recently reduced the department’s operating budget by $1.4 million to $30.3 million this fiscal year — a fraction of the $5.9 billion total operating budget for all city departments,” Mejia stated.
The performance audit is expected to shed light on these systemic issues and provide recommendations for improvement. The findings will be crucial for guiding the city’s efforts to ensure the humane treatment and well-being of animals in its care.