In Pursuit of Making LA ‘No Kill’

First, some good news.

Shout out to this compassionate guy, Fabian, from Termicon Pest Management in West Covina. As we go to press, Fabian just visited wildlife rescuer Cleo Watts with precious springtime cargo: a tiny baby opossum he encountered in the line of duty. Cleo is currently in full baby-season mode and will nurture the mini-marsupial for release back into the foothills. Thanks, Fabian, for showing kindness to the tiny but fierce!

And more good news. On April 9, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on dog breeding permits in an attempt to address overpopulation at the six city-run animal shelters. The moratorium will be lifted once shelters are at or below 75 percent capacity for three consecutive months and can be automatically reinstated if shelter numbers again go beyond 75 percent.

The shelters are reporting an influx of purebred dogs being dropped off. According to Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, who chairs the council’s Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee and introduced the motion, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services issued more than 1,100 breeding permits in the first six months of 2023.

Emotion aside, the moratorium makes financial sense at the bank. Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who chairs the council’s budget committee, praised the motion as a “tax-saving measure,” adding, “Our shelters, as mentioned, are bursting at the seams, and it costs money to house these animals, and it costs us even more money to put them down.”

City officials are also in the process of considering a proposal to provide a stipend to encourage more people to foster shelter animals. Next steps include enforcement to stop underground “backyard breeders;” and the possible expansion of the moratorium to apply to cats and rabbits. Bunny World Foundation founder and president Lejla Hadzimuratovic, states that her organization has been advocating for a moratorium on breeding permits for rabbits for more than a decade, pointing out that shelters are overrun with the long-eared lagomorphs.

Meet Miss Blue

Thanks to our friend Darlene for this sweet post.

• Female feline DSH
• Breed: Lynx Point Siamese
• Coloring: Incredible blue eyes, vanilla-tawny with tan-striped legs
• Age: 7 months old
• In fine health, Spayed, Currently receiving final vaccines

Darlene writes: “Blue’s journey started in a construction office, where her beautiful, blue-eyed Siamese mama gave birth to Blue and her siblings.  Thanks to the kind office people, Blue has blossomed into a friendly and affectionate young lady, eager to find her forever family. This charming feline is the last of her litter to find a home, but she’s not letting that dampen her spirits. With her captivating blue eyes and gentle demeanor, Blue is sure to capture your heart from the moment you meet her. One of Blue’s most endearing qualities is her loud purr. When she’s held close, her purr reverberates with contentment, a sure sign that she’s found comfort and happiness in your company. It would be especially nice if she could have a young friend around her age, too.”

To meet Miss Blue, apply HERE.

Meet Buster, Cookie, Toby and Alice

Thank you to the astonishing Ronnie Krokdal for the following posts. Ronnie spends a lot of time in South LA and on Skid Row helping dogs and occasionally cats. She is devoted to animals that are in extremely dangerous situations. No shade—in this context, we mean no shaming, but also, these are indeed animals with no protection from the elements—but typically, law enforcement and other county or civic services are stretched too thin in these parts of the city to intervene on behalf of the dogs.

What’s needed most urgently and most often are temporary fosters. Ronnie cannot pick up an unclaimed injured or ill dog on the streets of Watts unless there is a safe haven waiting for the animal. Fostering even for 24 – 48 hours can be a lifesaving act because Ronnie and her volunteer crew can often find a more long-term solution within a matter of hours.

The “safe haven” can literally be a secure shed or another covered safe area like a clean garage with proper ventilation or space in a home where water, bedding and food, all supplied by Ronnie, can be provided for a day or a week as the wheels of rescue turn. Ronnie pays for all veterinary medical expenses.

But speaking of transport, Ronnie’s rescue mobile was just totaled in the line of duty, and she is experiencing a concussion. In addition to reaching Ronnie directly to help Buster, Cookie, Toby and Alice, those interested in helping her with dog walking and transporting dogs are invited to call 310-804-1555.

Meet Buster (8 mo), male

“Buster was rescued at only two months old, running down the sidewalk by himself near the worst homeless encampments in Watts. Now eight months old, he could still use a foster or forever home with a safe yard or with an active person who will take him along on walks/hikes and adventures. Buster loves car rides, trips to the coffee shop or hikes in the mountains. He is a super-fun and cool little guy and a perfect medium-size (he looks like a miniature black Shepherd). He is dog-friendly and loves to play wrestle with another friendly, playful dog.”

Meet Cookie (15 mo), female

“Cookie was first seen living on Skid Row in a plywood box with an unhoused person. Her skin was mangey, and she had patches of hair loss all over her body. She received veterinary care. Later, she was found roaming and brought to safety. She is very affectionate, super-sweet, and dog-friendly. She loves to come along for walks/hikes and car rides and will not turn down a puppaccino at a coffee shop. 
 
Buster and Cookie have shared a foster home and love playing together, but they will also be fine in separate homes. We are seeking active adopters who will give them enough exercise and stimulation.  Both are fully vetted.”

Meet Toby

Ronnie writes: “Toby was found lost and starving on a sidewalk in Watts, cars spinning on the streets around him near homeless encampments. He is an adorable puppy, only six months old, affectionate, very smart, a fast learner, dog-friendly, playful and goofy. He is a fun and loyal companion to bring along on adventures. Looking for an active person who would love to have a furry wingman. Toby is fully vetted.”

Meet Alice

Alice is a professionally trained, two-year-old Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix who will do best with a human who is experienced with these breeds and knows how to interact effectively with big, high-energy canines. Ronnie describes Alice as “Super-sweet, intelligent, affectionate, dog-friendly and playful. I love this girl so much.”

Meet Jerry, #A563830

Thanks to our friend Bonnie Barron for helping Jerry!

“Jerry is the silent type. He’s a mellow fellow who hangs back. He would be the perfect addition to any situation. I can’t get over how perfect this little nugget is! Please adopt him before he gets injured by a bigger dog in the same kennel or even killed. This shelter is horrifically overcrowded, and killing for space is real and happening. Please consider taking Jerry home and letting him make your life so, so much better!”

Jerry #A563830 came in as a stray at the City of San Bernardino Animal Services on 3/30/24 and is available now for adoption or rescue.

To see #A563830 Jerry, call 909-384-1304
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter
333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino

Meet Micah, also called Moscow

Thank you to our friend Shamalie G. for bringing this adorable, fox-faced youngster to our readers!

• Canine, male
• Breed: Husky / Pointer mix
• Coloring: ginger with a sweet white face
• Size: Currently TINY!…but probably not for long
• Age: 14 weeks / 3 months
• In fine health, Potty-trained, learning crate-training

His current foster writes: “Moscow, aka Micah, is the cutest and the most lovable little pup. He’s tiny but has a big personality. You will find anyone who’s got such a big personality and courage. He tells you what he feels. He’s just the sweetest little thing. Moscow is fully potty-trained. He’s crate-trained and goes in to nap after a hard day’s work, and he also loves to cuddle with you on the couch when he’s tired. He sleeps throughout the night but is like an alarm clock, waking up at 7 AM demanding breakfast. He’s quite active and energetic, loves to play, and is quite inquisitive. He’s great with his fur-brother and gets along very well with everyone. Moscow is a little treasure that runs to you when you come into the house with the biggest and sweetest smile that melts your heart. He would be an amazing addition to any family.”

This darlin’ was surrendered to The Labelle Foundation with his mum and siblings from San Diego. To meet him, check Instagram @thelabellefoundation

Meet Bonded Brothers

A big thank you to Judy G. for telling us about these two!

Their photo says it all: wide eyes and one brother clasping the other for comfort. We don’t have details except that these two male sibling Chihuahuas were abandoned on the streets of South LA. They are unnamed, as far as we know. They are currently in temporary foster but face the likelihood of going into a crowded public shelter soon. The bonded brothers need to be fostered and adopted together.

Contact Judy G. to arrange a meeting and transportation: [email protected], 818-404-9981

Pet-Related Events

Free Adoptions at “Barkchella”

• Saturday, April 20, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Three Riverside County locations

Thanks to Nathalie Gagliano for sharing this information.

More than 100 dogs were impounded after a fire at the Jurupa Valley property where they were kept. They are now available for adoption at next Saturday’s second annual “Barkchella” event. Vax, spay/neuter and microchip fees will be waived if you adopt that day.

According to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, firefighters discovered 113 canines, mostly small terrier-mix breeds, at the location while knocking down the blaze. Remarkably, none of the dogs suffered injuries. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services team examined and impounded the dogs. You can meet and adopt them on Saturday, April 20, at the following “Barkchella” locations from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM:

• Coachella Valley Animal Campus — 72-050 Pet Land Place in Thousand Palms
• San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus — 581 S. Grand Ave., in San Jacinto
• Western Riverside Animal Shelter — 6851 Van Buren Ave., in Jurupa Valley

Additional information at http://www.rcdas.org

26th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run with Pasadena Humane

When: Saturday, April 21, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Registration fee: $50. Registration closes at noon on Friday, April 19.

Where: Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl. Dogs and their humans enjoy the Walk & Run Course, Agility Course, vendor fair, food truck treats, and doggy costume contest.

Check-in is at 8:00 AM, and the Walk and run begins at 9:00 AM. The deadline to enter your dog in the costume contest is 10:00 AM.

360 N Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena

Dog Fostering 101 Workshop

When: Saturday April 27, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Sponsored by PET SUPPLIES PLUS at their Culver City location:
Pet Supplies Plus
3875 Overland Avenue
Culver City

Southern California shelters are overflowing with good dogs! At this workshop, you will learn four signs that you are ready to foster a dog, what type of dog is right for you, how to prepare your home for fostering, how to foster dogs with emotional or behavioral issues, and more.

It is hosted by Melissa Levy and Michele Robinson, Bubbles and One Mutt at Time rescue organizations. Free of charge. For more info, call (310) 721-8746

Workshop: Foster Kittens 101

When: Saturday, April 27, 11:00 AM

Forty-five-minute workshops, free of charge. All ages are welcome to attend. Learn about caring for bottle babies and proper bottle-feeding techniques.

Pasadena Humane
361 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena