Animal Advocates Alliance (AAA) and the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation (Heigl Foundation), two Los Angeles based non-profit organizations are excited to announce the launch of a pilot training program aimed at teaching introductory obedience training and proper pet care to families adopting pets from the Baldwin Park Los Angeles County shelter.  The program will also be available as an alternative option for families that cite perceived behavioral issues as the reason for relinquishing their pet to the Baldwin Park shelter. Initially, two classes will be offered every Saturday at Morgan Park located in the city of Baldwin Park, with the first class currently scheduled to take place in late February or early March. Each class will be one hour in duration and will be offered to qualifying participants free of charge. Upon completion of the class, participants will be provided with basic supplies which may include leashes, collars and pet food. Each class will be instructed by a licensed trainer and will cover topics such as integration of the pet into the family, positive reinforcement training, house breaking, and proper dog socialization.  Instructors will also provide education on topics such as importance of spaying and neutering, local laws applicable to pet ownership, availability of low cost veterinary care and the hard reality of relinquishment of a pet to a municipal shelter. The staff at the Baldwin Park shelter will assist in promoting the program and will register interested parties for classes.

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.