Proposed Budget for LA Animal Services May Risk Public Safety and Increase Pet Euthanasia

The following letter is from the Department of LA Animal Services to the Budget and Finance Committee regarding impending budget cuts:

I urge you to weigh in on this issue by contacting the District Councilmen, the link is below. Remember, animal control calls it euthanasia to soften its blow.. these animals will be murdered because council members will vote for a 10% budget cut. Meanwhile we can hire another 1000 LAPD officers, just like the ones that had to shoot and kill the dog below.... I'm not putting down the LAPD, I have the utmost respect for them, however the council needs to know that we NEED animal control to maintain their budget.... PLEASE READ THIS!

In the pre-dawn coolness of Friday morning, April 16, 2010, LAPD officers were waiting for help. Three 130-pound Cane Corso dogs, two males protecting a female, were boxed in by police cars near Slauson and Verdun in Council District 8. The police had to wait for the one person who had the knowledge, skill, and experience to handle the situation safely: an Animal Control Officer. Unfortunately, there was in fact only one Animal Control Officer on grave duty in the entire southern half of the City, and he was responding to a separate LAPD call for assistance to rescue an injured dog in Northeast Los Angeles. Soon after the Animal Control Officer arrived back in South LA to help the LAPD there, the two male dogs crawled out from between two squad cars and were heading home on the sidewalk. There, on the public sidewalk, in this neighborhood of businesses, homes, and churches, two los Angeles Police officers fired at least six rounds, killing one of the dogs. The other two dogs were safely impounded by LA Animal Services.

The reason LA Animal Services exists is to provide for public safety. The City's first obligation is the public's safety. Safe streets are those in which trained Animal Control Officers are available to respond to dangerous animals and handle situations without injury to the public, without wasting police resources, and without shots fired. A safe city is one in which an animal expert is on hand to evacuate animals in a disaster as mandated by Federal law so that people are willing to flee to safety. Safe neighborhoods are the foundation for a Humane LA.

Recognizing the precarious financial situation facing the City, we as a public safety agency nevertheless must be candid in our assessment that the deletion of $1.8 million in funding attributed to the 26-working days reduction compromises the Department's ability to deliver on our public safety responsibility. It compounds the impact of the shared sacrifice cuts we have already absorbed in the last two fiscal years and of the protracted hiring freeze by cutting another 10% of the work force through the 26-working days reduction. The Department believes this will obligate the Mayor and Council to choose closure of an operating animal care center and to sanction a likely resulting increase in pet euthanasia.

Closure of Animal Care Centers/26-Working Day Reduction

Consolidating pet intake into fewer facilities is regression to the conditions that the voters of Los Angeles chose to change in approving the Prop F Bond. Consolidation of the animals leads to more disease, over-crowding, incidences of aggression, and inevitably, increased euthanasia.

We acknowledge the financial imperatives behind the proposed temporary shuttering of the Northeast Animal Care Center in 2010-2001 to achieve short-term financial savings. While this facility is not used for the public now, it is generally filled to about 1/3 capacity with evidence and quarantined animals and for nursing mothers with puppies and kittens. It has proven an invaluable resource for temporary holding of animals evacuated in disasters.

Closing Northeast will require evidence and quarantined animals to be housed in kennels and cages at the other six animal care centers which are currently used to promote the adoption of healthy, available animals. This action will trigger the negative domino effect of: reducing Citywide kennel/cage holding capacity, reducing adoption revenue, reducing our live release rates, and increasing our euthanasia rates. The Department's overall holding capacity will drop by about 10%, and euthanasia will increase by about 2,500 to 4,000 animals, depending on intake trends. The reaction of the humane community to this downgrading of progress is unknown.

The $1.8 million (10%) additional cut of 26-working days is an effective cut of 8 Animal Control Officers, 14 Animal Care Technicians, 3 Registered Veterinary Technicians, 4 Clerical Staff, and 2 Supervisors, the equivalent of the staff of one of the six fully operational Animal Care Centers.' The only remaining option that allows for enough staffing to safely provide the necessary levels of animal care and service to the public is to close one Center. The Department will need direction from the Mayor and Council as to which additional Animal Care Center should be closed during the period of time this 26-working day reduction is in effect.

Closing an operating Animal Care Center in addition to Northeast creates an unfortunate situation for the communities we serve. Net holding capacity will drop by at least another 15% and pet euthanasia will rise by 4,000 to 11,000 more pets, depending on intake and the number of animals held as evidence and quarantine, using kennels that would otherwise be available for adoptable animals. Again, we will also lose adoption revenue, and spend more on euthanasia, aggravating rather than alleviating our revenue situation.

The Department cannot reduce its workload by telling residents that services will be cut or by closing our doors. The pursuit of strays and biting animals, the impoundment and care of animals, and the adoption or euthanasia of impounded animals is not discretionary; it is not even a set of services for which residents can find temporary alternatives. We do not control animal intake, and by law we cannot shirk our duty and responsibility. We must accept animals found or brought to us, 24/7. Failing to do so directly and negatively impacts public safety and the City's compliance with State law.

In the event that the City's financial situation ultimately requires the temporary closure of any Animal Care Center, we recommend that the General Services Department be requested to submit an estimate of the cost for security services from at least dusk to dawn and to erect fences or other physical measures to safeguard the vacant facility and all remaining equipment.

Call Center Closure

The proposed Call Center cut will result in the elimination of the Department's dedicated 888 - toll-free number and will increase phone traffic to individual Animal Care Centers and to the City's 3-1-1 System. Since the 3-1-1 operators cannot have access to our dedicated Chameleon information database (animal, medical, and financial tracking system), operators will be limited in their ability to provide information on topics such as lost animal inquiries. Other than providing general information that is currently available through the City-wide Services Directory, operators will be required to transfer calls directly to Animal Care Centers for assistance which will impact the ability of Department staff to process revenue generating adoption/licensing transactions while servicing and assisting the visiting public. This will result in delays for both callers and on-site customers alike.

The Call Center's six (6) staff members currently handle approximately 400,000 telephonic inquires annually while the 3-1-1 Call Center handles 1.5 million. Dropping the toll free number in favor of having all calls go through 3-1-1 will result in an approximate 25% workload increase to ITA's 3-1-1 Call Center. However approximately $100,000 in toll and Integrated Voice Response (IVR) charges will be saved by ITA, a portion of which could be utilized to hire at least one additional 3-1-1 Call Center operator to assist with the increased workload. Beginning in May, the Department will start phasing out the advertisement of its 888 - number while promoting 3-1-1, in a pre-changeover exercise to see if 3-1-1 can handle the call increase without unexpected problems.

The proposed elimination of the License Canvassers will result in a decrease of approximately $300,000 in annual revenue attributed to them. However, they are not cost neutral and total burdened costs for all 8 staff is over $400,000, without considering the cost of supervision and clerical support. Other changes to the dog licensing program which are in process at this time including multi-year and on-line licensing, have a potential to cover the loss of canvassers while additional alternatives are explored."

The biggest drawback to our program's success has been that the position of Animal License Canvasser lacks the peace officer or public officer enforcement powers to issue citations, unlike the programs in other jurisdictions. Our Animal License Canvassers are able to request payment for licensing fees; however, other than acting as a "good will ambassador" requesting that payment be made, they lack the ability to enforce compliance of the law through the issuance of citations. For example, the lack of enforcement authority requires a Canvasser to make repeat visits while attempting to collect outstanding $15 license fees, rendering any attempt at full-cost recovery unachievable. Proper staffing of this program with classifications able to carry out the required program duties (i.e., Animal Control Officers or Animal License Inspectors) should be considered a key component to a successful in-house License Canvassing Program in the future.

Fill Remaining Vacant Mid-Management Positions

The proposed budget resolves overfilled supervisory and mid-management positions and makes other streamlining changes. The Department will develop an efficient and functional organization based on the proposed regular positions. However, the ability of the Department to achieve effective and efficient operations, particularly under the strain of reduced resources, requires the authority to appoint staff to the existing positions in that structure. Continued reliance on "acting" appointments compromises effectiveness and damages morale.

Early Retirement IP Payouts

The Department will have $170,000 payable in the coming fiscal year as payouts among the 12 employees who took the ERIP in the current fiscal year and for deferred sick leave. This cost apparently is to come from existing budgeted resources.

The Department does not recommend any budget reduction that would dilute public safety, close an Animal Care Center, or increase the euthanasia rate from its steady downward trend.

We stand ready, however, to support the ultimate decision of the policy-makers. On behalf of LA Animal Services, I look forward to further discussion of this proposed budget and any alternatives that may be possible.

Very Truly Yours,
Kathy Davis
Interim General Manager
LA Animal Services

If you would like to weigh in on these important decisions
contact the
LOS ANGELES BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=10-0600

PeiPeople Rocks to Save Another Life

So.... I did a video of Lola, the sharpei that was living at the shelter after her pups were taken away from her. She was on the short list to start. Then she had an incident and "bit someone on the face." And, for this, she was set to be killed. I could not let that happen for several reasons, the main one being, dogs don't generally bite people on the face out of aggression, they do it out of stupidity. The stupidity is on the humans side. If someone puts their face near a dogs mouth, and doesn't know the dog, the probably deserve to be bit. DO NOT kiss strange dogs. It is so typical of people humanizing dogs and wanting to kiss them because that is what they think the dog wants. The dog does not want to kiss you no matter how cute you think you might be.

So anyway, Lola gets on the "super short list" and is do to be killed. There was no one who was gonna step up for this little girl. So I knew we had a fight in front of us. Sue and Jody from Pei People are really champs and care about the Pei around here. Bear in mind that these two women are the only Pei rescue between Mexico and Northern California. Most of the time rescuing a dog comes down to money and not will. Well, I bent Sue's ear quite a bit and leaned on Jody to take Lola. They acquiesced after I did the last video as it drew some serious attention to Lola and many of you generous people donated to save her life, especially Patricia.

lola video #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewVnswdZRQc

lola video #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giOCKMiCbU4

Thanks to all of you for stepping up, now lets get the word out there and get her a home and get PeiPeople.com some well deserved donations.

______________________________
Robert Cabral
BOUND ANGELS
"giving a voice to animals"
www.boundangels.org
www.BoundAngels.tv
www.youtube.com/boundangels
www.blackbeltdogtraining.com
join the revolution!

Stumped... He's still at the shelter

Over the past 2 months I've featured so many cool dogs and cats on our new Shelter Video Angels program at WWW.BOUNDANGELS.ORG/LAAS and I'm stumped that Luda is still there.. He is the sweetest boy, very up beat and fun, good with people and other dogs. He really needs a home. Won't you help spread the word?! He's at the North Central Shelter and you could not ask for a better bunch of people to deal with, everyone there is friendly and willing to help you out. Tell 'em Bound Angels sent you.

WATCH THE SUPER COOL VIDEO - Click Here...

Luda is about a year old,black lab mix, friendly and fun and during my test with him I could not see anything that was not perfect. They say black dogs have a hard time at the shelter, and I'm seeing that to be true. Lets break that stereotype...

Join the Revolution...

______________________________
Robert Cabral
BOUND ANGELS
"giving a voice to animals"
www.boundangels.org
www.BoundAngels.tv
www.youtube.com/boundangels
www.blackbeltdogtraining.com

Adopt Ozzie.... the Prince of Barn-ness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApxGGz20WXs&feature=channel_page

Ozzie was dropped off at the shelter in a shopping cart. For the first two days he was in a state of shock and merely laid on the floor of his cell. I took him out and slowly he got up and licked my hand. A few days later I got a call that he was die to be killed. I went to the shelter and did an evaluation and found him to have no behavioral issues and no signs of aggression at any time during my test. He is still scared and needs to learn to trust.

He's a beautiful brindle colored shar pei, about 50lbs, approx 4 years old. He appears healthy and low key. Watch the video and you'll see him "in action." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApxGGz20WXs&feature=channel_page


If you have any questions, contact me or go directly to the North Central LA Animal Shelter at :
3201 Lacy Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031
888-4LAPET1 or 888-452-7381, FAX 213-847-0555

Step up for Ozzie.... his time is very limited.

Thanks,

Robert
www.boundangels.org

Sweet Judy will Steal Your Heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sECVBIO1nhI&feature=channel_page

I visited the NOC shelter here in downtown LA yesterday and saw an all too familiar face. I could not believe that Sweet Judy was still there and now she's on the short list. Her owners dumped her and she has no clue why. Won't you open your heart to Sweet Judy. Adopt or foster her or donate so we can help find her a forever home....

I personally temperament tested her and she is as sweet as can be. She showed no signs of aggression or dominance at any time during my test. She walked by the cages of other dogs that were quite aggressive. She pulls a little on the leash and did NOT want to go back to her cage. She wanted to leave and go HOME. Do you have a HOME you could give her?

Contact me directly if I can help or the shelters info is on the photo and the youtube video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sECVBIO1nhI&feature=channel_page

The clock is ticking and there's lots of love to be had here from SWEET JUDY!

Best,

Robert

______________________________
Robert Cabral
BOUND ANGELS
"giving a voice to animals"
www.boundangels.org
www.BoundAngels.tv
www.youtube.com/boundangels
www.blackbeltdogtraining.com

Update on Maggie (formerly Hope)

What makes my day is getting an email like the one below updating me on the beautiful girl I found at the shelter last year. Hope was anything but, however, I named her that in the "hope" that someone would see in her what I saw in her. She was an amazing lady and an amazing lady named Diane contacted us. Here's the email I received the other day:


Just thought I would drop you a note about Maggie ( a.k.a. Hope ). She is just the most wonderful , sweetest PEI girl you could ever meet. Remember when you brought her to my house, how she would not let anyone touch her? Today she is a different dog completely. She never leaves my side. Maggie is so loving. Today she and the other two went to the beauty shoppe to get a bath and the works. When I picked them up, the guy that bathed them said to me, "You have three of the sweetest dogs I've seen a long time, I think they might just be my favorites."
When I think of what would have happened to Maggie if you had not saved her, I just want to cry. When I think of all the older dogs that never make it out of the shelter it just breaks my heart. Maggie is ten years old but still acts like a puppy. She loves her stuffed toys, pulls them all out and takes them to her bed to sleep with. We feel so blessed to have her with us, she has brought us so much joy.
I hope that if you are going to be near Oceanside, you will stop by and say hello. I would love for you to see the REAL Maggie and not that scared girl you got at the shelter.

Thank you again for bringing her into our lives. Diane

**********************

Bless you Diane for seeing past the rough exterior that these poor animals are trying to escape. Underneath it was a beautiful princess just waiting to come out.

Robert Cabral
Bound Angels