Congratulate Los Angeles Animal Shelters on No-Kill December

By Andrew Helton

Target: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Goal: Praise California for reaching its goal achieving no-kill status by the end of the year.

Since the start of a campaign earlier in the year by No-Kill Los Angeles (NKLA), a coalition including the city, Best Friends Animal Society, and more than 50 other animal welfare groups, Los Angeles has been working toward the goal of reaching no-kill status by the end of December. The numbers are currently very close and if not by the end of the month, it looks like they will meet that goal by the beginning of next year. This is a significant contribution to animal welfare given the pet population of L.A. and the city deserves our praise.

The idea was put into action over a decade ago when shelters became the target of animal rights activists after the city euthanized a record 50,000 animals. In 2003, a year that saw 30,000 animals euthanized, former Mayor James Hahn vowed that Los Angeles would end the killing of unwanted pets within five years. Although it has been more than five years, persistent pressure from activists, and the help of the current General Manager of Animal Services and the NKLA coalition, the city will finally accomplish what it proposed to do.

No-kill status means that a city has reached a 90% save rate. The 10% left are those that are too sick or aggressive to be adopted out. During the fiscal year 2011-12, Los Angeles had a saved rate of 62%, but as of December 16, the city took in 1,951 dogs and cats and euthanized 313, an 84% saved rate for the month. City shelters are doing everything they can to work with the community and reach 90% by the end of the year, which would be the first no-kill month on record.

Please take a moment to sign the petition below to congratulate the city of Los Angeles for accomplishing such an incredible goal, and also to thank all of the shelters, volunteers, activists, and city employees whose tireless effort made this possible.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa,

Soon Los Angeles will end its first month on record where no unwanted animals will be euthanized. Given the population of the city as well as the number of stray animals, this is a striking achievement and will stand as an example for the rest of the country.

Just over a decade ago L.A. was heavily criticized for euthanizing 50,000 animals in a single year, but due to the contributions and tireless efforts of the city, its animal shelters, and volunteers, you have given thousands of dogs and cats a chance at a wonderful life they wouldn?t have had in the past. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you and all of Los Angeles for keeping the promise it made ten years ago.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: grilled cheese via Flickr

Source: http://forcechange.com/48820/congratulate-los-angeles-animal-shelters-on-no-kill-december/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=congratulate-los-angeles-animal-shelters-on-no-kill-december

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