In recent weeks, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass proposed budget cuts for the 2025-26 fiscal year that could endanger shelter animals city wide.
In an attempt to cure the billion-dollar deficit caused by a series of civil lawsuits against the city, Bass has laid out a plan for changes in spending for many public services, including city planning and housing.
However, one of the most notable changes was an almost 5 million dollar budget cut for animal services. Bass has taken a step too far with this proposal, failing to understand how homeless animals are already suffering immensely.
Shelter animals, especially dogs, are struggling everyday in the shelter system. They deal with a lack of attention, enrichment and space constantly. To make matters worse, dogs can be euthanized at any point in time.
As dogs continue to be abandoned by breeders, owners or even other organizations, shelters have to swoop in and take them into the kennels which are usually already full.
This can lead to innocent dogs being put down for space. They didn’t do anything but exist.
Dogs that are especially anxious or aggressive in shelters are usually first in line, because people and rescues would rather save a dog who isn’t completely traumatized.
As an animal volunteer shelter, I can attest to this. Dogs who don’t get along with other dogs or people can be taken away and put down without any notice. No one says anything. If the dog is there one day and gone the next, they’re probably dead.
The budget cut will also trigger layoffs of many shelter staff members. This will slow down any processes that can help a dog find a home, possibly preventing them from being rescued at all. When there is a lack of staff, more vulnerable dogs will also have a harder time being taken out for yard time or events, increasing their stress and earning a spot on the euthanasia list.
If anything, we should be receiving more funding to help clear out the shelters. However, Bass cannot see that. She refuses to emphasize any preventative measures like investigating breeders or encouraging Los Angeles citizens to spay and neuter their pets.
Shelters need more support, not less. The lives of thousands of poor, helpless animals are on the line.
