Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Dog-Gone Cat-tastrophe Averted!

The Daily News ran a great article on East Valley's Dog-Gone Cat-tastrophe Adoptathon! The event ran from Friday, May 19 through Monday, May 22. Last year LAAS adopted 42 animals on the third weekend in May. This year, thanks to this promotion, adoptions were up 159%. 109 dogs and cats found loving homes from our East Valley Animal Care Center in North Hollywood.

Several radio and tv stations and newspapers came by to report on the event. The Daily News article follows:

Adoption options http://www.dailynews.com/opinions/ci_3853664
Looking to adopt a pet? You should have checked out the Dog-Gone Cat-tastrophe Adoptathon last weekend at the East Valley Animal Shelter in North Hollywood.

Missed it? No worries. The Los Angeles Animal Services Department now keeps city shelters open on weekends.

The schedule makes sense: Most would-be pet owners can't make it to shelters during the week. They have jobs; their kids have school. Opening up the shelters on weekends helps facilitate adoptions, which is good for the animals, the owners and the city alike. It should also help to cut down on the number of animals euthanized at city shelters.

For more information, check out LAAS' Web site (http://www.laanimalservices.com/).

LAAS wants to thank the media, the public, and our wonderful partners for the overwhelming response to this pressing need! Thanks to the public's response to LAAS' needy animals LA's euthanasia rate has been reduced over 30% compared to the same time period in 2005! All stats are on the LAAS website.

But the crisis is far from over. LAAS is still rescuing over 100 lost and homeless dogs and cats every day! Please help get the word out that there are many wonderful pets waiting to lavish unconditional love in return for a home. Please visit our website or any one of our six Animal Care Centers.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

"Dog Gone Cat-tastrophe" Hits the East Valley Animal Care Center

Responding to the annual spring population explosion of homeless animals, the Department of Animal Services (LAAS) is teaming up with rescue organizations from all over the city to stage a “Dog-Gone Cat-Astrophe Adoptathon,” an unprecedented four-day event at the

East Valley Animal Care Center
13131 Sherman Way
North Hollywood 91605

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, May 22. (Monday is for rescue groups only and they must request an appointment.)

This special event makes dogs and cats available to the public at special discounted adoption rates: $55 per dog and $35 for one cat and $50 for two cats. Adoption fees include spay or neuter surgery, a microchip, and a license for dogs.

It’s even better for 501c3 rescue organizations. In honor of the launch of LAAS’ New Hope Program, rescue groups in good standing with LAAS will receive animals for free plus they will receive a $100 cash gift made possible by an anonymous benefactor.

“The spring is typically the most difficult season in our shelters because of over-crowding,” explained LAAS General Manager Ed Boks, “and East Valley is especially hard hit this year. We want to make it as easy as possible for these great animals to find a loving home so we’ve teamed up with every rescue group in L.A. to address this ‘dog-gone cat-Astrophe.’”

The special $100 offer to rescue groups is only available at the East Valley Animal Care Center to rescue groups. To qualify for special “New Hope” rates or subsidies call 213-485-8613 prior to visiting the shelter.

“I hope families, individuals and rescuers will visit East Valley Animal Service Center this weekend and take advantage of this unique opportunity to find new friends for life, and to give these animals a fresh start,” said Boks.

For more information visit http://www.laanimalservices.com/

Friday, May 05, 2006

April 06 Numbers Are In...

For four consecutive months the LAAS Team has been working miracles. They have significantly reduced euthanasia each month when compared to the same four months in 2005. Admittedly, we must do more. But to do more requires your help!

Please consider adopting or volunteering as a foster home. Together we can make LA the safest city in the United States for our pets, but we need your help! What follows are the numbers from April 06:

Dogs and Cats Combined:
LAAS April 06 Dog and Cat Adoptions were up .1% compared to April 05 and up 18% compared to April 04.

April 06 Dog and Cat Euthanasia was down 27% compared to April 05 and down 64% compared to April 04. Over the course of the past 12 months 42% of all the dogs and cats that came into LAAS were euthanized. Of the dogs and cats that were relinquished by their owners 35% were euthanized.

April 06 Dog and Cat New Hope placements were down 19% compared to April 05 and down 6% compared to April 04. LAAS is anxious to get the New Hope Program up and running so we can soon see an improvement in these numbers.

April 06 Dog and Cat Intakes were down 15% compared to April 05 and down 12% compared to April 04. The Big Fix is taking hold!

April 06 represents the highest April Adoption Rate and the lowest April Euthanasia Rate since April 2000. LAAS electronic database doesn’t go back any further than that.

Our new Foster Care Program is a huge part of our success this year. April 06 Fosters are up 87% compared to April 05 and up 100% compared to April 04. This is just a fledgling program but we are very excited about its potential to help save more lives. Please consider volunteering as a Foster Home for our animals! Its the perfect program for those of you that find it difficult to make a long term commitment...

Dogs
April 06 Dog Adoptions were down 3% compared to April 05 and up 2.6% compared to April 04.

April 06 Dog Euthanasia was down 47% compared to April 05 and down 56% compared to April 04. Over the past twelve months only 30% of all dogs received by LAAS were euthanized.

April 06 New Hope Dog placements were down 23% compared to April 05 and down 1.6% compared to April 04.

April Dog Intakes were down 11% compared to April 05 and down 12% compared to April 04.

Cats
April 06 Cat Adoptions are up 7% compared to April 05 and up 60% compared to April 04.

April 06 Cat Euthanasia is down 35% compared to April 05 and down 45% compared to April 04. Over the past twelve months 56% of all cats received by LAAS were euthanized.

April 06 New Hope Cat placements are down 16% compared to April 05 and down 12% compared to April 04.

April 06 Cat Intakes are down 18% compared to April 05 and down 13% compared to April 04.

"Dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them." John Updike US author (1932 - )