Los Angeles-area city and county shelters continue to experience overcrowding with stray and abandoned pets, and continue to euthanize a large number of adoptable animals due primarily to lack of space. The “Learn to be a Best Friend” program is aimed to reducing the number of pets surrendered to shelters by owners as a result of correctable issues that can be addressed with education and basic training.

Shelter Dogs Get the Opportunity of a Lifetime at Mobile Pet Adoption

Los Angeles, Calif. – Volunteers stood excited and ready in front of 3 Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control trucks on Sunday, March 29 at a Mobile Pet Adoption event at the Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles.  The trucks were filled with dogs from the Baldwin Park Shelter that were ready and desperate for a home. Each volunteer was handed a dog that would be theirs for the day, they were to play with the dog, love it and try their hardest to get the dog adopted.

“It was great to see all of the dogs out of their cages and kennels,” said volunteer Carrie Stubstad. “Many of them were so scared when we pulled them out of the trucks, but once they realized we just wanted to play with and pet them, the dogs showed us their true happy and loving nature.”

During the day, potential adopters came to the park to meet the dogs. Some had heard about the adoption event through Animal Advocates Alliance (AAA), a Los Angeles based nonprofit organization that was the driving force behind the mobile pet adoption, while many others had just happened to be passing by the park.

“I was thrilled to have my new little Chihuahua friend be the first adoption of the day,” said Stubstad.  “It was truly love at first sight as his adopting family crossed the busy park full of people and dogs to meet him. It was a great feeling to know that my willingness to volunteer on a Sunday changed the luck for little “Bandit” who so desperately needed this opportunity to find a home.”

At the end of the day 17 of the 25 dogs brought to the adoption event were adopted and went to their new homes. Unfortunately for the remaining dogs, they were taken back to the shelter. Thankfully those dogs had a wonderful day filled with sunshine, love and lots of belly rubs. These dogs will remain under the watchful eye of the AAA volunteers, who will continue to promote and try and get them out of the shelter as quickly as possible.

AAA is hoping to help the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control adopt out more and more dogs at the future adoption events. The next event will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 11-4 at the Pan Pacific Park (7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles). After that event, the adoptions will be held on the last Sunday of every month at the same location.

If you are looking for a new best friend or want to help AAA save the lives of these shelter dogs, please send an email to info@animaladvocatesalliance.org or call AAA at (310) 285-8422.

AAA is currently assisting the staff and animals at the Baldwin Park Shelter by providing volunteer support to socialize, photograph, and take videos of the animals and promoting them to various rescue groups through online and print media efforts. In cooperation with the Baldwin Park shelter, AAA has also implemented a mobile pet adoption program, where dozens of adoptable dogs will be brought from the shelter to a public park to get some much-needed fresh air and sunshine, and hopefully find adoptive homes. The first mobile adoption event will take place on Sunday, March 29th , from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Pan Pacific Park in Hollywood, located near the Grove at 7600 Beverly Blvd. Subsequent adoptions will be held on the last Sunday of every month at this location (except in April, the event will be on April 25th).

AAA is working tirelessly to facilitate the adoption or rescue of as many animals as possible, but the organization needs further support from the community. Volunteers and monetary donations are desperately needed to support the Baldwin Park volunteer program and the upcoming mobile pet adoptions. The more available volunteers, the more animals can be photographed, promoted, and brought to adoption events, which will greatly increase their chances of finding loving homes.

“When I dedicate my time and emotional strength to the care and welfare of animals, I receive the greatest gift of all, feeling connected and alive” said one AAA founder and volunteer Phillip Gharabegian of Hancock Park. “Compassionate people cannot sit by while animals in our care are abused and neglected at the hands of those that lack the compassion and connection to care.”

“I hate going into the shelters and seeing all the desperate dogs and cats, but every morning I wake up and look at my menagerie of rescue dogs and cats and think how easily any of them could have been one of those unfortunate homeless animals,” said AAA volunteer Ric Browde of Beverly Hills. “I try to emotionally steel myself and drive to whichever shelter I can. If I can save one animal I’ve done a little good, and if I save two, I’ve done better, and three makes it almost a tolerable day.”

There are several volunteer opportunities available in the next few weeks that will benefit both the Los Angeles County Shelters and AAA, so please contact the Baldwin Park shelter and/or AAA to sign up. Volunteers are needed on weekends and weekdays at Baldwin Park, as well as other city and county shelters, to walk, socialize, and photograph the animals. In addition, volunteers are needed on the last Sunday of each month to assist with mobile pet adoptions. Anyone interested in volunteering should 1) visit their local city or county shelter; 2) visit the AAA website at www.animaladvocatesalliance.org; 3) send an email to info@animaladvocatesalliance.org; or 4) call AAA at 310.285.8422.

About Animal Advocates Alliance:

Animal Advocates Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of animals through legal advocacy, effecting social change through community education initiatives, and support of animal rescue organizations. In part, AAA rescues animals from city and county shelters, provides necessary veterinary care, and places the animals in safe and loving homes. Many of these animals have been neglected, suffered mental and/or physical abuse, or have physical injuries requiring surgery and rehabilitation. AAA also works in tandem with other humane groups to raise awareness of spay/neuter laws and to expose pet stores that sell dogs from “puppy mills.” Finally, AAA advocates for animal welfare legislation and aggressive prosecution of perpetrators of animal abuse under anti-cruelty statutes, including California Penal Code § 597.