L.A. has one of the largest animal shelter systems in the country, and it’s going through a major shake-up.
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First, a new general manager, Gabrielle Amster, will now oversee the shelter and care of the 60,000 cats, dogs, rabbits and other critters that come through the L.A. Animal Services every year, either through its animal control efforts or the six shelters strewn around the city.
It’s a tall order, even for a 19-year veteran of animal welfare. Her first challenge will be getting approved by a key City Council committee, which has yet to schedule the vote.
The last permanent general manager, Staycee Dains, was fired in 2024 after about a year on the job, she told The Times. An interim general manager has filled the post since then.
Among Amster’s other challenges will be dealing with the aftermath of a bacterial outbreak that left sick dogs in their kennels for weeks and no way to track daily cleaning; an overcrowded shelter system that has only exacerbated higher dog euthanasia numbers compared to last year; and several high-cost lawsuits from shelter dog bites.
What critics say about the agency
But critics of the department say her biggest challenge will be changing the culture of the massive animal care system.
Volunteers who do much of the physical labor in caring for the animals often speak out at Animal Services Commission meetings to voice their concerns with the department, including what they describe as needless euthanasia deaths for healthy, adoptable dogs when open kennels are available to house them.
Former volunteers say whistleblowers in the department have reason to worry about their positions: After raising their own concerns, some said they were fired for minor infractions.
Unlike her predecessors, Amster is not taking on the challenge alone. Two massive nonprofits, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Best Friends, have each pledged $7 million to the shelter system over the next three years.
The money will fund almost two dozen new staff positions and keep four advisers from the nonprofits on full-time.
Deep cuts in the mayor’s budget
The $14-million grant was announced Monday, around the same time Mayor Karen Bass released a budget that critics say will impose deep cuts to the animal food and medical supplies budget, making the department too reliant on its donated and grant funds.
The mayor’s budget also cut a canine enrichment program and two positions — an animal control officer and an animal care technician supervisor, moves that could limit the department’s functions if not amended, according to a budget document that the Board of Animal Services Commission filed with the City Council.
Still, some activists seem cautiously optimistic about the changes at Animal Services.
“Let’s hope they put [the donations] to good use,” said Cathy Serksnas, a former volunteer and frequent critic of Animal Services and its management. “You’ve got to change the culture from within, and that’ll be a tough one.”
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