From gentle giants to scruffy youngsters and everyone in between, the L.A.’s shelter dogs and cats are wagging their tails with excitement to find their new homes. Adoption fees across the six city-run animal shelters have been cut in half this month, in an effort to reduce shelter overcrowding.
The Biggies and Meow-Meows Adoption Event lasts for the rest of July and is sponsored by the Paula Kent Meehan Pet Care Foundation.
“Especially now, because spring is a natural procreation season, the city shelters are overrun with dogs and cats and kittens,” said Bill Crowe, the foundation’s director. “The event serves as an incentive and it’s great to see people adopting and fostering.”
The event features a 50% cut in fees charged to anyone who adopts a good-sized dog, a puppy or a cat. Under the temporary lowered fees, dogs who weigh more than 40 lbs. cost $51 and puppies cost $75. Cats cost $12.50 and kittens, $25.
There is no reduced fee for adopting small dogs, who tend to get adopted pretty fast, according to Crowe.
L.A.’s six city-run shelters are all participating in the reduced fee event, and they include the West Valley shelter in Chatsworth, the East Valley shelter in Van Nuys, the Harbor Area shelter in San Pedro, the South L.A. shelter in Inglewood, the West L.A. shelter in Santa Monica and the North Central shelter in downtown L.A.
As the city grapples with animal shelter overcrowding, the Los Angeles Board of Animal Services Commission on Tuesday, July 9, approved a proposal to increase the limit of dogs per household from three to four. The plan now goes to Mayor Karen Bass and the L.A. City Council.
Crowe said potential pet owners should do their research and be prepared before adopting.
“Make sure you’re ready to adopt an animal, because we want it to be a forever home, not a mistake,” Crowe said. “And if you’re ready, it’s important to adopt from a rescue shelter because these animals are really in need of homes, rather than the ones you can buy from breeders.”
