The city and county of Los Angeles will work with the Association for the Prevention of Abuse to Animal Cruelty (ASPCA) to find a permanent home for shelters by sparing fees as part of California Adoption Day on Saturday, June 7th.
After California Animal Welfare Associates or Karanimal and ASPCA partnered in 2024 to support shelter animals, this is the second year California adoption date is celebrated at more than 150 shelters across the state.
With over 2,000 animals being adopted and many successful adoption dates in California, organizers hope to find a permanent home for 5,000 animals, including dogs, cats, bunnies and even horses.
Jesse Oldham, senior director of the ASPCA Los Angeles Initiative, said in the first year that some shelters would later receive adoption vouchers as animals ran.
“We know that animals tend to sit in shelters for longer, both nationwide and in Los Angeles,” Oldham said. “When recruiting from a local shelter, it not only helps the animals you are giving to your home, but also helps the shelter to help another animal in need.”
It is estimated that over 60,000 animals enter shelters in LA City and county each year, but in 2024, 5.8 million dogs and cats joined shelters and rescue groups nationwide.
Currently, surveys show that only three out of 10 households have chosen to recruit pets from shelters and rescue organizations. Increased the shelter’s adoption rate by a few percentage points will lead to thousands of animals finding homes forever, Oldham said.
“The slow timeline for these animals to be recruited will result in shelters overpowering,” she said. “The goal is to get these animals out as quickly as possible.”
Those looking for pets can find the Southern California shelters participating here or view the latest updates using #caadoptapetday on social media.
Below are some tips for a successful California adoption experience.
Think about your lifestyle, the type of animal that is right for your life before you go to the shelter. Converse with shelter staff about who is available and who is the greatest fit. If you have specific animals in mind, arrive early
“The magic of adoption is open to match your pet, which is a great match, but you may not be thinking about it,” Oldham said.
Find your local participating shelters here and check out the latest updates using #CaaDoptapetDay on social media.
