In a move that shocked many in the animal welfare community, Best Friends Animal Society has officially withdrawn its offer of support to Los Angeles Animal Services. After months of attempts to offer assistance and strategic guidance to the city's struggling shelter system, Best Friends found itself repeatedly rejected and ignored. The latest development comes after Best Friends offered $6 million in resources, including staffing, training, and public safety initiatives, only to receive no response from the city.
In a statement, Best Friends emphasized the growing frustration with the lack of commitment from the current city administration. Despite presenting a comprehensive support package on July 17, 2023, including structural support for local shelters and vital staffing positions, LA Animal Services took no action on the proposal. Best Friends attempted to follow up for nearly nine weeks, but received a dismissive response indicating that no immediate action would be taken. This lack of urgency and refusal to address the shelter crisis led Best Friends to withdraw their offer, concluding that the administration was not ready for the transformative change needed to save more lives.
However, while this decision may mark the end of a formal partnership with LA Animal Services, Best Friends made it clear that their commitment to the Los Angeles community and its animals remains strong. In fact, Best Friends will continue to work with local shelters and rescue groups, ensuring that support for pets in need remains steadfast. Their efforts to achieve no-kill across the country, and especially in Los Angeles, will continue. Best Friends' withdrawal serves as a reminder that lasting change in animal welfare is not just about financial support—it’s about collaborative efforts between leaders and communities to ensure that every pet has a chance at a safe and loving home.
This moment also underscores the urgency of leadership that is willing to act, listen, and work toward solutions that prioritize the lives of animals. The situation in Los Angeles highlights a larger problem within many city-run shelters across the United States—bureaucracy and neglect can be as deadly for animals as a lack of resources.
Best Friends has vowed to remain involved in Los Angeles' animal welfare efforts, continuing to provide resources and leadership in any way possible. As the journey towards making the city a no-kill community continues, Best Friends is calling on all animal advocates, local leaders, and residents to join the movement to help save lives.
This decision, while difficult, reflects a broader truth about systemic change—it requires commitment from all parties involved. Only through community collaboration and government accountability can we hope to see a no-kill future for all pets in Los Angeles.
Moving Forward
As Best Friends looks ahead, their focus remains clear: saving lives. The withdrawal of support may have been a blow to the city, but it has renewed the urgency to work toward creating sustainable solutions for LA Animal Services. For Best Friends, the work is far from over. They will continue advocating for animals in Los Angeles, pushing for reform, and remaining committed to the ultimate goal—ensuring that no pet is left behind.
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