The path forward is not so clear a path. The city can be mandated to spend its allocated budget on spay/neuter vouchers but without available appointments and a marketing outreach to convey available services to communities it’s a dead end. Happy to resend the plan for 10 high volume clinics for a one time initial investment of 8M. 300,000 animals in 18 months, problem solved. The city could do it, Best Friends with 114M sitting in the bank could do it or I can keep slogging away. The Commission will be meeting at 6:00PM on Tuesday the 25th. You and anyone else who would like to ask the obvious question “why don’t you do something significant to change the trajectory” should be there
Hi Kelly, you make an excellent point—funding spay/neuter vouchers means little without available appointments and real outreach. A one-time $8M investment for 10 high-volume clinics is exactly the kind of bold, effective solution the city should be pursuing. I’d love to see that plan in action. I’ll do my best to be at the Commission meeting on the 25th, and I hope others will show up to ask that obvious but crucial question: why isn’t the city taking real action? Appreciate all you do!
I have some great kids from the UC San Diego computer lab program that are doing the Spay.LA website. Can we publish this article and obviously we will credit you and link to your Substack.
Kelly . There is a complete lack of will on the part of those in charge with the resources—they seem to want to keep the pipeline of animals wide open to secure their jobs?
It is COMMON SENSE to any reasonable thinking person that spay and neuter is THE ANSWER.
I’ve been working the past few weeks with Harbor shelter volunteers in San Pedro. Exposing the Horrifying conditions during the recent rain. If that isn’t bad enough they are hosing kennels down and the terrifying dogs, leaving them standing puddles of water. Volunteers are illegally being fired, animals still being euthanized when the KENNELS are empty after the fire transports out by Best Friends. The kennels are covered in poop, spread of disease is next. Staff sits around, potential adopters are treated like they are nothing but a bother.
Instead working to make the place better for the animals—they are using volunteers as scapegoats- punishing them with rules like no videotaping??? Or ILLEGALLY firing them for speaking up?
Just yesterday, a barely year old puppy at Harbor Shelter (LA City Shelter) was to be euthanize at 4pm - for a vague “nipping” . Curious?
Where is the rabies quarantine policy? Was it followed? At 3:30pm??? Where did little Charles go a A 2179444?
Why all the secrecy and deception?
Of course we'll do a formal FOIA request- but will it be truthful? I’ve heard and seen documents with my own eyes that were doctored from LA County shelters before.
LA City Shelter system seems to be tainted and CANNOT BE TRUSTED. Mayor Bass- her emails bounce back- and those on her appointed LA animal commission don’t seem to have power or information as to the HORROR THAT IS LA CITY SHELTER SYSTEM. They weren’t even aware Annette Ramirez the temp general manager is dumping the lost, friendly cats out the back door of the shelters to die. 🙀
All this, and California taxpayers are paying $30 million a year for this incompetence and CRUELTY.
I’ve often wondered to myself…. if volunteers at the LA City Parks departments or any of their other many departments that use volunteers are treated with such distain and punished for speaking up when they see something so abhorrent going on?
Hi Christine, thank you for sharing this heartbreaking and infuriating account. The conditions you describe at Harbor Shelter are completely unacceptable, and the treatment of both animals and volunteers is beyond disgraceful. The lack of transparency, accountability, and basic compassion in LA City shelters must be exposed and addressed. Volunteers should be valued, not silenced, for speaking up. We absolutely need to keep pushing for real oversight and reforms—especially when taxpayer dollars are funding this cruelty. Please keep us posted on the FOIA request, and let’s keep demanding answers. You’re not alone in this fight!
Thank you for your completely accurate description of Harbor Shelter. It is a terrible prison- a place of excruciating suffering and no hope- if not for a few dedicated volunteers and caring members of the public. It needs to be exposed. People would care if they knew….
We are exposing, and trying to build awarenesd—but those in charge are DOUBLING DOWN. 👿
You will love this: City Council District 15 : Tim McOsker’s assistant told me yesterday (2/20/2025)
that Harbor shelter in San Pedro Is NOT in his district . And there is nothing they can or would do to help.
And further, his representative “Drew” I spoke to said she “has a trusted person on the inside who tells her the TRUTH?
The photos, the stories, the killing, broken air conditioner in July, puddles of ice cold water in the rain storm last night? Scrimping on food? The DARK room for the small dogs? All made up??
I think we may have spoken - a couple of days ago about Charlie… please share with your neighbors, people at your job, church in San Pedro.
I have no faith that Mayor Bass will do what is right. She will not even accept any blame for lack of preplanning for the Santa Ana wind season or being in Africa for the fire storm that was predicted to hit. Raging fires ( many) leaving thousands of people homeless and animals still being found in the rubble!!
Hi Melissa, I hear your frustration, and you’re not alone in your concerns. The lack of preparedness for both our shelters and disaster response is deeply troubling. That’s why it’s so important to keep the pressure on and demand accountability. The animals—and the people impacted—deserve better. Let’s keep pushing for real action. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I agree but since she has no real knowledge of disaster planning or shelter operations she has been relying on the "expertise" of others; with disastrous result. I fear this will not change without continued public pressure. I just see this situation all over the country and am unsure how we effect change!
I think publishing these ideas of doable practical, mobile and fixed location volume/accessible free-lo cost s/n with basic medical would be brilliant.
Dr. Jeff Rocky Mountain Vet YouTube series has many episodes of mobile free s/n for an entire underserved communities in Colorado (where his lo-cost clinic based), Mexico and elsewhere.
Please see the streamlined, assembly line mobile set-ups in local auditoriums, warehouse or large space coordinated with local volunteers and any technical expertise for registration, shaving, recovery etc.
Dr. Jeff links didn't come thru but just search the key words in quotes on YouTube.
"Mobile Vet Clinic Helps This Mexican Community And Their Pets | Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet"
"Dr. Jeff Talks About the Future of Veterinary Medicine & Why The Industry is at a Crossroads"
Here he references Esther Melcher profiled on Animal Politics and other orgs. Says UCDavis recommends s/n after puberty but he says that isn't necessary and risks animals remaining unaltered and the irrational human obstructions to the obvious solutions to overpopulation.
"012: A Conversation with Dr. Jeff Young, Pioneer in High-Volume, High-Quality Spay/Neuter"
There are also solutions to back-yard and mill breeders that market on Craigslist and elsewhere.
Best Friends fundraises on Craigslist enforcing it's own policy against mill and back-yard bred commercially sold pets but does not take action. Again, Best Friends makes a big fundraiser about Craigslist marketing commercially bred but does nothing about it. I did covert surveys in Arizona where mills export to Arizona in large numbers thu Craigslist, many destined for shelters. Arizona is the only state in US with an exemption inserted by notorious animal dealer with multiple civil and criminal violations selling maimed puppy mill dogs, making it against the law to prohibit puppy mill sales. There are advocates working with AZ legislators on "Office of Domestic Animals" to address commercial breeding and also license rescues to eliminate those just inhumanely warehousing. I don't know how far along they are but perhaps willing to discuss the legislative structure they are developing to restrict commercial breeding, where the public pays the enormous costs of uncontrolled breeding. The point is that there are reasonable, relatively economic solutions to the economic and humane catastrophe now. The documented work of California Shelter Reform movement coalition, Animal Politics and elsewhere has helped educate the public that traditional National Animal Welfare org are perpetuating overpopulation and shelter crisis building business structures around overpopulation and distressed homeless pets are fundraising gold mines.
As we know, besides fixed location, volume mobile s/n is also essential. Going to outlying communities without affordable vet access or any vet services. In Southern Arizona shelters are experiencing distemper outbreaks and many of the hoarding cases are coming from outlying areas where people could not control the breeding.
Hi Carmen, you’ve shared a wealth of valuable insights and solutions—thank you! High-volume, low-cost spay/neuter, whether mobile or fixed-location, is absolutely critical, and models like Dr. Jeff’s show that it can be done effectively. The lack of enforcement against backyard and mill breeders is another huge issue that needs real action, not just fundraising rhetoric. I’d love to see more collaboration between advocates working on legislative reforms in Arizona and efforts here in California. There are practical, economic solutions available—we just need the will to implement them. Appreciate you being part of this conversation!
I would like to see Mayor Bass and all other officials push to make all breeders become legitimate business entities. This will require volunteer organizations to work with local governments to enforce this. So many breeders would cease to exist and really slow down the immense overpopulation and abandonment of animals. We all know the number of dumped puppies by breeders who cannot “sell” them and do not feel obligated to care for them because it “costs”.
Hi Tina, you bring up such an important point! Regulating breeders as legitimate business entities with proper oversight could go a long way in curbing overpopulation and reducing abandonment. Enforcement would definitely require collaboration between volunteer organizations and local governments, but it’s a conversation worth having. I’d love to hear more ideas on how this could be effectively implemented—let’s keep the discussion going! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I wouldn't count on her to do anything. She's out of touch as is just about most of California politicians. The once beautiful state needs a complete new government of people who have the expertise to turn things around. People keep voting incompetence and until they change, the sane people who still live there and the animals will continue will continue to suffer. We lived in the San Diego are from 1988-2012 and left to be near family in Texas. I hope and pray that California sees a much needed revitalization before it's too late.
Hi Delia, I understand your frustration, and there’s no doubt that real leadership and accountability are desperately needed. Change is slow, but we have to keep pushing for it—especially for the animals who don’t have a voice. California has incredible potential, and I hope we see the kind of revitalization you’re talking about. In the meantime, we’ll keep fighting for meaningful action. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Basically, the same thing is going on in Riverside County, maybe even worse. Any thoughts on this? It’s not just the shelter. It’s what they do in the communities as well. Well, it’s all connected. Animal Control is allowing hoarding an inhumane treatment of animals because they don’t want to bring those animals into the shelter or deal with them themselves. It’s a vicious cycle.
Hi Sascha, you’re absolutely right—this crisis isn’t just about shelters, but the entire system, including how Animal Control operates in the community. The situation in Riverside County is deeply concerning, but we’re hopeful that Mary Martin, the new Executive Director, will make some immediate improvements. She has a big challenge ahead, but with the right leadership and community support, positive change is possible. Let’s keep pushing for accountability and real solutions! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
The path forward is not so clear a path. The city can be mandated to spend its allocated budget on spay/neuter vouchers but without available appointments and a marketing outreach to convey available services to communities it’s a dead end. Happy to resend the plan for 10 high volume clinics for a one time initial investment of 8M. 300,000 animals in 18 months, problem solved. The city could do it, Best Friends with 114M sitting in the bank could do it or I can keep slogging away. The Commission will be meeting at 6:00PM on Tuesday the 25th. You and anyone else who would like to ask the obvious question “why don’t you do something significant to change the trajectory” should be there
Kelly Holland
The Animal Rescue Alliance
Hi Kelly, you make an excellent point—funding spay/neuter vouchers means little without available appointments and real outreach. A one-time $8M investment for 10 high-volume clinics is exactly the kind of bold, effective solution the city should be pursuing. I’d love to see that plan in action. I’ll do my best to be at the Commission meeting on the 25th, and I hope others will show up to ask that obvious but crucial question: why isn’t the city taking real action? Appreciate all you do!
I have some great kids from the UC San Diego computer lab program that are doing the Spay.LA website. Can we publish this article and obviously we will credit you and link to your Substack.
Of course. Also, Kelly, contact me at ed@edboks.com I'd like to learn more about your program.
Kelly . There is a complete lack of will on the part of those in charge with the resources—they seem to want to keep the pipeline of animals wide open to secure their jobs?
It is COMMON SENSE to any reasonable thinking person that spay and neuter is THE ANSWER.
Thank you for your post. ❤️
I’ve been working the past few weeks with Harbor shelter volunteers in San Pedro. Exposing the Horrifying conditions during the recent rain. If that isn’t bad enough they are hosing kennels down and the terrifying dogs, leaving them standing puddles of water. Volunteers are illegally being fired, animals still being euthanized when the KENNELS are empty after the fire transports out by Best Friends. The kennels are covered in poop, spread of disease is next. Staff sits around, potential adopters are treated like they are nothing but a bother.
Instead working to make the place better for the animals—they are using volunteers as scapegoats- punishing them with rules like no videotaping??? Or ILLEGALLY firing them for speaking up?
Just yesterday, a barely year old puppy at Harbor Shelter (LA City Shelter) was to be euthanize at 4pm - for a vague “nipping” . Curious?
Where is the rabies quarantine policy? Was it followed? At 3:30pm??? Where did little Charles go a A 2179444?
Why all the secrecy and deception?
Of course we'll do a formal FOIA request- but will it be truthful? I’ve heard and seen documents with my own eyes that were doctored from LA County shelters before.
LA City Shelter system seems to be tainted and CANNOT BE TRUSTED. Mayor Bass- her emails bounce back- and those on her appointed LA animal commission don’t seem to have power or information as to the HORROR THAT IS LA CITY SHELTER SYSTEM. They weren’t even aware Annette Ramirez the temp general manager is dumping the lost, friendly cats out the back door of the shelters to die. 🙀
All this, and California taxpayers are paying $30 million a year for this incompetence and CRUELTY.
I’ve often wondered to myself…. if volunteers at the LA City Parks departments or any of their other many departments that use volunteers are treated with such distain and punished for speaking up when they see something so abhorrent going on?
Hi Christine, thank you for sharing this heartbreaking and infuriating account. The conditions you describe at Harbor Shelter are completely unacceptable, and the treatment of both animals and volunteers is beyond disgraceful. The lack of transparency, accountability, and basic compassion in LA City shelters must be exposed and addressed. Volunteers should be valued, not silenced, for speaking up. We absolutely need to keep pushing for real oversight and reforms—especially when taxpayer dollars are funding this cruelty. Please keep us posted on the FOIA request, and let’s keep demanding answers. You’re not alone in this fight!
Thank you for your completely accurate description of Harbor Shelter. It is a terrible prison- a place of excruciating suffering and no hope- if not for a few dedicated volunteers and caring members of the public. It needs to be exposed. People would care if they knew….
We are exposing, and trying to build awarenesd—but those in charge are DOUBLING DOWN. 👿
You will love this: City Council District 15 : Tim McOsker’s assistant told me yesterday (2/20/2025)
that Harbor shelter in San Pedro Is NOT in his district . And there is nothing they can or would do to help.
And further, his representative “Drew” I spoke to said she “has a trusted person on the inside who tells her the TRUTH?
The photos, the stories, the killing, broken air conditioner in July, puddles of ice cold water in the rain storm last night? Scrimping on food? The DARK room for the small dogs? All made up??
I think we may have spoken - a couple of days ago about Charlie… please share with your neighbors, people at your job, church in San Pedro.
Excuse the typos. Pecked out on my iphone🐾
I have no faith that Mayor Bass will do what is right. She will not even accept any blame for lack of preplanning for the Santa Ana wind season or being in Africa for the fire storm that was predicted to hit. Raging fires ( many) leaving thousands of people homeless and animals still being found in the rubble!!
Hi Melissa, I hear your frustration, and you’re not alone in your concerns. The lack of preparedness for both our shelters and disaster response is deeply troubling. That’s why it’s so important to keep the pressure on and demand accountability. The animals—and the people impacted—deserve better. Let’s keep pushing for real action. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I agree but since she has no real knowledge of disaster planning or shelter operations she has been relying on the "expertise" of others; with disastrous result. I fear this will not change without continued public pressure. I just see this situation all over the country and am unsure how we effect change!
Sorry, forgot to mention meeting is at The West Valley Shelter on Plummer St in Chatsworth. Infinitely easier than downtown at 9:00am. Tuesday Feb 25
Ed and Commenters,
I think publishing these ideas of doable practical, mobile and fixed location volume/accessible free-lo cost s/n with basic medical would be brilliant.
Dr. Jeff Rocky Mountain Vet YouTube series has many episodes of mobile free s/n for an entire underserved communities in Colorado (where his lo-cost clinic based), Mexico and elsewhere.
Please see the streamlined, assembly line mobile set-ups in local auditoriums, warehouse or large space coordinated with local volunteers and any technical expertise for registration, shaving, recovery etc.
Dr. Jeff links didn't come thru but just search the key words in quotes on YouTube.
"Mobile Vet Clinic Helps This Mexican Community And Their Pets | Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet"
"Dr. Jeff Talks About the Future of Veterinary Medicine & Why The Industry is at a Crossroads"
Here he references Esther Melcher profiled on Animal Politics and other orgs. Says UCDavis recommends s/n after puberty but he says that isn't necessary and risks animals remaining unaltered and the irrational human obstructions to the obvious solutions to overpopulation.
"012: A Conversation with Dr. Jeff Young, Pioneer in High-Volume, High-Quality Spay/Neuter"
There are also solutions to back-yard and mill breeders that market on Craigslist and elsewhere.
Best Friends fundraises on Craigslist enforcing it's own policy against mill and back-yard bred commercially sold pets but does not take action. Again, Best Friends makes a big fundraiser about Craigslist marketing commercially bred but does nothing about it. I did covert surveys in Arizona where mills export to Arizona in large numbers thu Craigslist, many destined for shelters. Arizona is the only state in US with an exemption inserted by notorious animal dealer with multiple civil and criminal violations selling maimed puppy mill dogs, making it against the law to prohibit puppy mill sales. There are advocates working with AZ legislators on "Office of Domestic Animals" to address commercial breeding and also license rescues to eliminate those just inhumanely warehousing. I don't know how far along they are but perhaps willing to discuss the legislative structure they are developing to restrict commercial breeding, where the public pays the enormous costs of uncontrolled breeding. The point is that there are reasonable, relatively economic solutions to the economic and humane catastrophe now. The documented work of California Shelter Reform movement coalition, Animal Politics and elsewhere has helped educate the public that traditional National Animal Welfare org are perpetuating overpopulation and shelter crisis building business structures around overpopulation and distressed homeless pets are fundraising gold mines.
As we know, besides fixed location, volume mobile s/n is also essential. Going to outlying communities without affordable vet access or any vet services. In Southern Arizona shelters are experiencing distemper outbreaks and many of the hoarding cases are coming from outlying areas where people could not control the breeding.
Hi Carmen, you’ve shared a wealth of valuable insights and solutions—thank you! High-volume, low-cost spay/neuter, whether mobile or fixed-location, is absolutely critical, and models like Dr. Jeff’s show that it can be done effectively. The lack of enforcement against backyard and mill breeders is another huge issue that needs real action, not just fundraising rhetoric. I’d love to see more collaboration between advocates working on legislative reforms in Arizona and efforts here in California. There are practical, economic solutions available—we just need the will to implement them. Appreciate you being part of this conversation!
I would like to see Mayor Bass and all other officials push to make all breeders become legitimate business entities. This will require volunteer organizations to work with local governments to enforce this. So many breeders would cease to exist and really slow down the immense overpopulation and abandonment of animals. We all know the number of dumped puppies by breeders who cannot “sell” them and do not feel obligated to care for them because it “costs”.
I would like to get feed back on this!
Hi Tina, you bring up such an important point! Regulating breeders as legitimate business entities with proper oversight could go a long way in curbing overpopulation and reducing abandonment. Enforcement would definitely require collaboration between volunteer organizations and local governments, but it’s a conversation worth having. I’d love to hear more ideas on how this could be effectively implemented—let’s keep the discussion going! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I wouldn't count on her to do anything. She's out of touch as is just about most of California politicians. The once beautiful state needs a complete new government of people who have the expertise to turn things around. People keep voting incompetence and until they change, the sane people who still live there and the animals will continue will continue to suffer. We lived in the San Diego are from 1988-2012 and left to be near family in Texas. I hope and pray that California sees a much needed revitalization before it's too late.
Hi Delia, I understand your frustration, and there’s no doubt that real leadership and accountability are desperately needed. Change is slow, but we have to keep pushing for it—especially for the animals who don’t have a voice. California has incredible potential, and I hope we see the kind of revitalization you’re talking about. In the meantime, we’ll keep fighting for meaningful action. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Basically, the same thing is going on in Riverside County, maybe even worse. Any thoughts on this? It’s not just the shelter. It’s what they do in the communities as well. Well, it’s all connected. Animal Control is allowing hoarding an inhumane treatment of animals because they don’t want to bring those animals into the shelter or deal with them themselves. It’s a vicious cycle.
Hi Sascha, you’re absolutely right—this crisis isn’t just about shelters, but the entire system, including how Animal Control operates in the community. The situation in Riverside County is deeply concerning, but we’re hopeful that Mary Martin, the new Executive Director, will make some immediate improvements. She has a big challenge ahead, but with the right leadership and community support, positive change is possible. Let’s keep pushing for accountability and real solutions! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Tragic. I hope the mayor comes through.
Ditto!