LA ANIMAL SERVICES HITS HISTORIC LIVE SAVE RATE, COMING CLOSE TO NO-KILL BENCHMARK

Animal lovers in Los Angeles have ample reason to celebrate ongoing efforts to transform LA into the nation’s largest no-kill city.

Recently released statistics reveal that Los Angeles Animal Services is at an 84.3 percent overall live save rate for the 2016 calendar year. (86.3 percent rate for dogs and 79.2 percent rate for cats). In Fiscal Year 2011-12, the City of Los Angeles live save rate for dogs and cats was only 57.8 percent.A live save rate of 90 percent for every dog and cat entering the city shelter system is the nationally recognized benchmark for no-kill status.

“In the last five years, we have made steady progress towards saving the lives of thousands of orphaned pets,” said Brenda Barnette, general manager of LA Animal Services. “We are hopeful to have our best year of reducing shelters deaths and increasing the live save rate since establishing to become a no-kill city. This is due in part to the tremendous support of amazing organizations and individuals who believe that we can save them all.”

Accordingly, LA Animal Services statistics show a steady decline in deaths by 30 percent at its six shelters so far this year. In the first three months of 2016, 854 pets were euthanized compared to in 1,226 in 2015. Overall, since 2012, deaths at the six city shelters have plummeted by 66 percent.

Barnette cited a public/private partnership with Best Friends Animal Society as making a huge impact by devoting the resources of a national organization to help the city become no-kill. The goal of No-Kill Los Angeles (NKLA) Initiative, led by Best Friends, is to transform LA into NKLA by 2017. The NKLA Coalition, comprised of more than 100 local animal welfare organizations, helped find homes for about 27,100 dogs and cats in 2015.

“The momentum of NKLA is absolutely thrilling. We’re very excited about the progress that has been made so far and look forward to the day when LA is declared a no-kill city. With numbers like these, that day is not far off,” said Francis Battista, co-founder of Best Friends Animal Society.

Another big part of saving more animals lives are the 243 New Hope Partners whose partnership entitles them to reduced or no fees to pull abandoned pets at city shelters who are most at risk of being put to death due to space or treatable conditions. As kitten season looms, underage litters will start arriving at city shelters.

The fragile, resource-intensive kittens are the highest killed population entering LA Animal Services. “Our ability to take in these unwanted kittens is directly dependent on our life-saving partners and dedicated foster volunteers we have waiting to help these babies survive, said Brenda Barnette. “Together, we have made a difference for thousands of abandoned pets. And, we still have a lot of work to do.”

In 2016, 2,700 kittens are expected to be saved through an increased foster care program at the Best Friends Pet Adoption & Spay/Neuter Center, as well as expanded or new kitten nurseries operated by partners Found Animals Foundation, Kitten Rescue, and SNP LA. To find how you can get involved to help save more animals, visit laanimalservices.com. About LA Animal Services

LA Animal Services is one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the United States with six shelters serving approximately 60,000 animals annually and responding to 20,000 emergency calls involving an animal or person in danger.

The next major benchmark will be in July, when the city releases statistics for the whole fiscal year

Via LA Animal Services Press Release

Photo:LA Animal Services