If you’re still looking for the perfect Valentines date, don’t miss the 1st Annual “Adopt A Valentine” pet adoption event happening Saturday, February 13th at LA Animal Services’ North Central shelter (3201 Lacy St LA 90021 – two blocks east of Figueroa off Ave 26). This special pet adoption benefit will include substantial discounts on adoption fees ($78.50 per dog and $50.50 per cat), plus an extra $25 off the first 10 adoptions of the day. Click on the image to view the flyer with all the information.

This Saturday is “Save A Stray” day at the fourteen Los Angeles area animal care locations. There will be discounted prices on adoptions as well as volunteers on hand to assist you in finding a perfect match. By choosing to adopt, you save the life of the animal you take home, the one who now has space at the shelter as well as the one that was never bred.

All of the facilities managed by Los Angeles Animal Services, the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control and SEAACA will be joining together to help find wonderful homes for deserving pets!

LA Animal Services discount adoption days actually starts today and runs through December 20th. You get 50% off the adoption of any cat or dog and get free microchipping of the animal. Click on the image to view the flyer and get more information.

Here’s a great new volunteer run website. “Bound Angels” goal is to try and teach shelters a better way to market their animals. They are currently focusing on my neighborhood shelter, North Central, on Lacy Street. Here is a current sample.

Check out their site here and be sure to forward it on.

Katya Lidsky has come up with an innovative way to get people to adopt from the local shelters, she offers her service as a shelter dog personal shopper. Shelter Shopper Inc. does an initial consultation and then searches every shelter and rescue group in order to find the perfect match. They do a personality assessment of both the animal and the potential owner and arrange a meet-and-greet to make sure you get the right pet for your lifestyle. This is a great way to get people who aren’t willing to go to a shelter to still adopt a rescue animal. You can find more information about Shelter Shopper Inc. at their website here.

I have no idea if the current overcrowding at LA Animal Services shelters can be directly linked to the recent fee increase by LAAS, but I’m sure it’s not helping. As an attempt to alleviate some of the overcrowding, LAAS is dropping their adoption fees by 50% as well as giving you a free microchip from August 19th – 23rd.  So if you know anyone who’s in the market for a gently used cat, dog or rabbit, let them know they can pick one up next week at bargain basement prices. You can click here to view all the details.

As disheartening as volunteering for LA Animal Services can sometimes be, it’s more critical now than ever to put aside those feelings and step up and help. FOX 11 news (a.k.a. FoxLA) did a short piece which you can view below about the extreme overcrowding currently happening at LA Shelters.

And remember, if you don’t have time to personally volunteer, donating funds to rescue organizations that pull animals from the shelters is also extremely helpful.

As of July 1, not only did the state hike sales tax, but LA Animal Services drastically raised their adoption fees. Unfortunately, with budget cut-backs and people looking to make up the shortfall, the animals are getting the short-end of the stick. Prices for dog adoptions are now $117, cats are $76 and rabbits are $56. I understand that the cost of living for everything in California is going up, but the jump in 20 plus dollars seems a bit excessive. I would think that lower fees would get more animals out of the shelters costing less money for taxpayers, but time will tell if the new fees cause lower adoption rate than the previous adoption fees. Too bad the animals are the ones who will suffer in the meantime, but what’s new?

Last Chance for Animals is putting out the call for volunteers at the Pets Delight store in Covina. They are looking for people for this weekend and upcoming weekends to walk the adorable shelter dogs that the store now carries. I know first-hand how successful mobile pet adoptions are in getting animals out of the shelters and in to loving homes. This is even more critical seeing that there’s the possibility of strays being euthanized after only three days instead of six thanks to budget cuts . So if you live anywhere near Covina, or you want to make it a day with a special trip out to One World Vegetarian Cuisine for their vegan fried ice cream (believe me, it’s worth it!), drop Barbara an e-mail to let her know you are interested or check out their volunteer page.

The Free to a Good Home 2 art show opening will be happening this Saturday, May 9th, at the book/art/toy store GR2 on Sawtelle. This canine-themed group art show will feature pieces from over 50 artists as well as having dogs available for adoption at the opening with the hopes of matching them up with new owners. LAAS will also be accepting donations of supplies and food for the shelter. (Suggested donations: blankets, towels, unopened pet food, pet beds, pet coats, kongs, etc.) Those making donations through the duration of the show will receive a coupon for 25 percent off their next purchase at GR2. Dogs will be available for adoption from 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM with a reception featuring many of the artists from 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM. Here are all the details:

Free to a Good Home 2 Art Show Opening and Dog Adoption

Reception: Saturday, May 9, 6:30 PM -10:00 PM
Adoption: Saturday, May 9, 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Location:
GR2: 2062 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
gr2.net
(310) 445-9276

Several rescue groups are partnering together to sell raffle tickets to help raise funds during these tough economic times. They have a bunch of great prizes including gift certificates to Whole Foods, a 40 Inch LCD TV, spa packages and more. Tickets are $5 or 3 for $10 and you don’t have to be present to win. The winners will be announced on Saturday, May 9th at Molly’s Mutts & Meows adoption event. You can e-mail Molly at molly@mollysmuttsandmeows.org or stop by their booth this weekend at the Super Adoption event to purchase tickets. I have included all the information they sent out after the jump. (more…)