L.A. sets record for fewest dogs and cats euthanized

Dogs and cats in Los Angeles have a reason to celebrate.

(CNS) – Los Angeles has set a record for the fewest number of dogs and cats euthanized, it was reported today.

In the fiscal year ending June 30, Los Angeles Animal Services killed 12,680 dogs and cats, nearly 4,400 fewer unwanted pets than the year before, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

If it can maintain the current pace of euthanizing thousands fewer adoptable animals each year, L.A. is poised to become the nation’s largest no-kill city by 2017, according to the newspaper.

“We did this with the hope, heart, energy and tremendous support of amazing groups and individuals who believe that we can save them all,” LAAS General Manager Brenda Barnette, who was hired four years ago after a revolving door of managers, said in remarks reported by the Daily News. “We still have work to do, but we’re making progress.”

The six city animal shelters took in 50,248 dogs and cats last year, a drop of nearly 4,600 from the year before, when 54,826 came in and 17,069 were put down — 4,000 fewer than 2011-12, the Daily News reported.

Barnette and a coalition of no-kill supporters attribute the dramatic drop to fewer intakes, higher rates of spays and neuters by private groups and more homes found for unwanted pets via adoptions, rescue partners and animal transports to other states.