EVERY LOS ANGELES RESCUE AND RESIDENT NEEDS TO READ AND SHARE THIS POST!
The budget deliberations for LA County SHELTERS deadline is JUNE 23rd and it is up to US to help get this approved!! This budget being approved is the first step in making LONG OVERDUE changes that would make our communities safer for humans and pets. This MUST be made a priority.
HERE ARE FACTS;
-The national standard of recommended staffing for Animal Control Officers for a county the size of Los Angeles County is 291. Currently the budget ONLY allows for 91. They are staffed at 31%.
-The national standard is for 15 minutes of care/day for each animal. Based on the animal intake and population, Los Angeles County should have 180 Animal Care Attendants. They ONLY have 62. They are staffed at 34%.
-Other critical needs are repairs to the aging facilities to correct deficiencies that affect human and animal health and safety. Realistically $9.2M is needed but even $3M can fix the most urgent matters.
The BENEFITS of getting this budget:
1. More officers available to respond to calls for sick, injured or abused animals; animals attacking or posing threats to other animals or people; and educating the public about responsible pet ownership.
2. More animal care attendants will increase the time each person can devote to feeding and caring for the animals.
3. Animals will have more and longer direct interaction with people, thereby increasing their adoptability and reducing their stress.
4. Attendants will be more available to assist the public looking for their lost pets or adopters in selecting a new pet to adopt.
The BENEFITS of making the critical repairs to facilities are:
1. The animals and visitors will have a safer environment.
2. The facilities will be more appealing to visitors, thereby increasing foot traffic and adoptions.
3. The facilities will be easier to sanitize and disinfect, thereby improving animal health.
WITHOUT these funds means:
1. It takes officers longer to respond to emergency calls for animals in distress.
2. The limited staffing means officers can only respond to urgent calls, postponing or not addressing calls for loose dogs who could later be injured or never found by their owners.
3. Lower level neglect cases will take longer to resolve.
4. Animal socialization in the care centers will be very limited.
5. Adoptions suffer because there are not enough staff members to assist them.
6. Facilities are in disrepair, jeopardizing the health and safety of animals and people with cracked pavement, rusted metal caging, failing roofs, suboptimal HVAC features, and discouragement of visitors who do not want to visit the facilities due to their appearance.
We are asking everyone in and outside of the animal community to PLEASE email and call the people listed here and let them know you expect them to improve this budget. The safety of our animals and communities depend on it. This is EVERYONE’s problem. As community members, we have the right to live in safe communities as do our pets. The acceptance of sub par standards can not be tolerated. If you do not reside in LA County but want to see this budget approved, please voice your opinion as well!
The Board of Supervisors and their contact info is:
Michael D. Antonovich, [email protected], (213) 974-5555
Hilda Solis, [email protected], (213) 974-4111
Mark Ridley-Thomas, [email protected], (213) 974-2222
Sheila Kuehl, [email protected], (213) 974-3333
Don Knabe, [email protected], (213) 974-4444
#standupforpits #betheirvoice