In June 2021, motivated by the closure of Los Angeles County Animal Pounds to the public and the heart-wrenching discovery of a 15-year-old dog named Mimi abandoned by her owner, I initiated a petition. Despite a challenging 8-mile journey amid traffic to rescue Mimi, I was denied entry upon arrival, a policy change unrelated to Covid, as I initially thought. The new protocol required prospective adopters to choose an animal online and then book an appointment to meet that specific animal. This unexpected hurdle spurred me to challenge the policy. After successfully adopting Mimi, I returned to the pound, protest sign in hand, to advocate for the reopening of the shelters, receiving covert support from some of the staff.

Fast forward to January 2023, and despite some progress, the pounds still restrict adopters to afternoon appointments only, continuing to euthanize a significant number of animals. With more than 12,000 animals taken in over six months and 4,500 euthanized, the urgency for full operational hours is palpable. This petition, inspired by Mimi who sadly passed away after six months with us due to cancer, seeks to restore full access to Los Angeles County Animal Pounds and ensure accountability within the system.

Please join me in this endeavor by signing the petition at www.OpenTheShelters.com and contacting Los Angeles County Supervisors to demand the reinstatement of pre-pandemic access levels to all county animal pounds. Your voice can make a real difference in the lives of countless animals and the dedicated staff who care for them.

For contact information and to voice your support, please reach out to the Los Angeles County Supervisors and the animal care centers as listed. Together, we can bring about the change needed to save lives and honor the memory of Mimi and many others like her.