A longtime executive in animal welfare services was named by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Friday to oversee the city\u2019s animal shelters, which have been criticized for overcrowding and inhumane treatment of animals.<\/p>\n
Gabrielle Amster was director of the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace<\/a> from 2021 to 2025 and is credited with increasing adoptions and improving access to spay and neuter services, according to the mayor\u2019s office. Her appointment must be confirmed by the City Council. <\/p>\n If confirmed, Amster will lead one of the largest shelter systems in the country, with six animal shelters and animal control officers who deal with roughly 60,000 animals each year. <\/p>\n \u201cGabrielle Amster has spent nearly two decades advancing innovative approaches in animal welfare, building strong teams, and improving lifesaving outcomes,\u201d Bass said in a statement. \u201cI am confident she will bring steady leadership and a forward-looking vision that strengthens the department and improves services for both animals and the communities that care for them.\u201d<\/p>\n Amster declined to comment when reached by phone Friday, but said in a statement released by the mayor\u2019s office that she looked forward to providing \u201cthe highest standard of care\u201d for animals. \u201cThe people and pets of Los Angeles deserve every opportunity to thrive together,\u201d the statement said. <\/p>\n Before working for the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, Amster was executive director of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter and served on the board of the California Animal Welfare Assn.<\/a> <\/p>\n