Los Angeles residents are protesting proposed budget cuts that could lead to the closure of nearly half of the city’s animal shelters. On Friday, over 100 people gathered as the L.A. City Council Budget and Finance Committee discussed the budget proposal, which threatens to shut down three of the city’s six shelters. Heather Michaels, a protester, emphasized the importance of the West Valley shelter, the only one that accommodates farm animals. “If we have another fire, we don’t have a place for the farm animals to go,” she said, according to ABC7.
Mayor Karen Bass’s budget proposal aims to address a nearly $1 billion deficit by cutting more than 2,700 city positions and laying off 1,647 employees. The cuts would significantly impact Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS), potentially closing the Harbor, West Los Angeles, and West Valley shelters. Annette Ramirez, LAAS Interim General Manager, warned that the closures would lead to increased euthanasia rates due to overcrowding, as reported by Yahoo News.
Rene Ruston, founder of Start Rescue, criticized the budget cuts, calling them a “knee-jerk reaction” and urging the city to find alternative revenue sources, such as enforcing pet licensing. The full City Council is expected to vote on the proposed budget in June, leaving many concerned about the future of the city’s animal shelters.
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