LA Controller Audits Animal Services; ‘Genuine Progress’ Toward No Kill
City Controller Ron Galperin released an audit that indicated the Los Angeles’ Department of Animal Services is making progress toward its goal of making Los Angeles a “No Kill” City. Still, last year about one of every four lost or abandoned animals that entered the City’s six animal shelters was euthanized.
“While we’re certainly making genuine progress, we are euthanizing far too many animals,” said Controller Galperin.
The audit looked at the question of whether the department’s statistics could be relied upon and concluded, in general, that they could be.
From July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, 14,083 cats, dogs, rabbits, roosters, snakes and other animals were euthanized by the City. That’s less than half as many as the City was euthanizing in 2003, when former Mayor James K. Hahn publicly set a goal of making Los Angeles a “No Kill” city by 2008.
The numbers appear to represent a downward trend. From FY 2013-14 to FY 2014-15, the number of cats euthanized dropped 2%, from 8,018 to 7,856; and the number of dogs euthanized went from 4,664 to 3,880, a drop of 17%.
Newborn cats represent the largest single group of animals euthanized. In FY 2013-14, the last year for which such statistics are available, 4,250 cats that were less than eight weeks old were killed. (80 newborn dogs were euthanized during the same period.)
Officials with the Animal Services Department stated that newborn cats are particularly susceptible to diseases and need to be fed every two to three hours around the clock. Officials said that is not possible because staff and foster care options are limited.
Another reason for euthanizations: lack of shelter space. In FY 2013-14, 414 cats (5%) and 1,231 dogs (26%) were euthanized because shelters ran out of room. Galperin called that unacceptable. “Lack of space should never be a reason to end an animal’s life,” said Controller Galperin.
“I am encouraged by the downward trend of the audit’s findings, but there is more work to be done,” said L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson. “While we continue working towards making L.A. a ‘no-kill city,’ I’m encouraging Angelenos to help save a life and spay or neuter all pets.”
Galperin says the data also revealed disparities in euthanasia rates at the City’s six animal shelters. For example, in West LA, they euthanize 14% of animals. In the West Valley, 19%, and in South LA, 36.6% of animals that enter the shelter are euthanized.
“We’ve known for quite a while that the zip code people live in often correlates to their health and even to their lifespan — with people often living healthier and longer in more affluent zip codes,” said Controller Galperin. “The same seems to be true for cats, dogs and other animals in certain parts of the City.”
Galperin said the disparity most likely stems from a host of factors, including differing adoption rates, spay and neutering rates, and the financial ability of residents to get quality medical care for their pets.
In his letter to the City Council accompanying the audit, Galperin recommended that the Council ensure the department has adequate resources and personnel. He also called on the department to study potential alternative means to care for abandoned animals, including partnerships with non-profit animal welfare organizations.
Galperin’s audit was undertaken initially to address some public skepticism about the statistics that the Department of Animal Services produces. After examining data from FY 2011-12 through FY 2013-14, auditors found that the department’s statistical reporting was reasonably accurate.
One exception: sterilization figures, an area where the department under-reported its successes by not incorporating in the numbers the thousands of publicly-subsidized sterilizations performed by private veterinarians on the City’s behalf. Sterilization programs are widely regarded as being key to successful “No Kill” programs.
