ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society make largest-ever $14 million joint investment in municipal shelter system

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Best Friends Animal Society have announced a joint, multi-year $14 million initiative to support Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS), the department overseeing Los Angeles, California’s city animal shelters, which handle approximately 50,000 animals and more than 20,000 emergency calls annually. The collaboration, announced late last month, represents the largest combined investment either organization has directed toward a single municipal shelter system.¹

Each organization will contribute $7 million in grant funding, with the initiative structured around three priorities: reducing unnecessary shelter intake through community engagement, improving in-shelter care and operational efficiency, and increasing positive outcomes including adoptions, fostering, and owner reunifications.¹

"Animal sheltering nationwide has undergone a dramatic shift in recent years—from simply housing animals to prioritizing positive outcomes," LA Mayor Karen Bass said in a news release announcing the investment.¹ "This historic investment will enable LA Animal Services staff to place an even greater emphasis on those positive outcomes and position the department at the forefront of accountable, transparent sheltering—all with the goal of supporting pet owners and helping animals find loving homes.”

Staffing and on-site support

The funding will support more than 20 positions within LAAS, including expanded adoption and foster teams and specialists dedicated to community cat programs. Beyond financial support, the ASPCA and Best Friends will embed four staff members directly within LAAS facilities to provide on-the-ground assistance with training, program development, animal health, and operational implementation.¹

Comprehensive training will be extended to LAAS staff across multiple areas, including shelter medicine, adoption services, data management, volunteer coordination, and community outreach.¹

The initiative is structured as a three-year grant period, after which LAAS has committed to maintaining key positions and continuing programmatic work for an additional three years, a provision the organizations described as essential to ensuring long-term institutional impact.¹

Context within a large system

LAAS operates six shelters across the city and has worked to reduce overcrowding through reduced adoption fees, partnerships with animal welfare organizations, and collaboration with its network of New Hope Partners, a group whose involvement has contributed to a dog placement rate of 90% or greater since 2017. The city's Pet Food Pantry, operated through LAAS, assisted more than 21,646 pets last year.¹

The announcement also builds on coordination that began following the 2025 Palisades fires in LA, when LAAS, the ASPCA, Best Friends, and other welfare organizations worked together on fostering and reunification efforts for displaced pets and their families.¹

Both organizations bring existing infrastructure to the partnership. Since 2014, the ASPCA has contributed more than $16 million in Los Angeles-area grant funding, spayed or neutered more than 167,000 animals, and transported more than 70,000 shelter animals for placement elsewhere. Best Friends, active in LA since 1992, has invested more than $80 million in the region and leads the No-Kill LA Coalition, a network of 160 shelters and rescue groups.¹

"If we can help LA Animal Services — one of the largest shelter systems in the country — build a future where every animal receives the care, compassion and safety they deserve, we won't just be helping transform one city, we'll be showing communities across the country what's possible,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO in the release.¹

Reference

1. ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society announce $14 million joint initiative to support transformational improvements at LA Animal Services. News release. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. April 20, 2026. Accessed May 5, 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aspca-and-best-friends-animal-society-announce-14-million-joint-initiative-to-support-transformational-improvements-at-la-animal-services-302747612.html