The Los Angeles Programs of Best Friends
Best Friends began working in Los Angeles in 1991. From those first small steps, which included assistance to animal victims of fires, riots and the Northridge earthquake, we have grown to become one of the most influential and effective animal organizations in the L.A. area. Sadly, there is still much to do. Each year over 125,000 animals are put down in L.A. area shelters for the simple lack of a good home. We will continue to develop new programs and campaigns to address the needs of L.A. animals and work toward a time of No More Homeless Pets.

To get involved and check out the latest news with LA Programs, please visit the LA Programs Group page on the Best Friends Network.

Pet Adoption Festivals
Held twice a year, these events are the largest one-day pet adoption events in the nation, with an average of 8,000 attendees and 400 adoptions

"Pup My Ride" Small Dog Transport Program
Many small breed dogs are dying in Los Angeles area shelters due to a surplus created by puppy stores and backyard breeders, while in other cities, small dogs are virtually unavailable via adoption. Best Friends is meeting that demand by transporting at-risk, small breed dogs from L..A. area shelters to communities where the demand is high but the supply is low. In less than 2 years, over 1,500 at-risk dogs have been saved

Catnippers
Created and staffed by volunteers, including vets and vet techs, Catnippers has fixed over 15,000 cats free of charge since its inception in 1999. The primary mission of Catnippers is to reduce the population of feral cats by providing spay/neuter services to caregivers and rescue groups

Puppies Aren't Products
Nationwide, up to 30% of dogs in shelters are purebred. Almost all puppies sold in stores come from puppy mills. We have launched a volunteer-driven campaign to end the sale of puppy mill dogs in L.A.'s pet stores and to increase adoptions of homeless animals. Our goal is for pet stores to adopt a humane model, showcasing rescued animals in their stores instead of puppies from commercial breeders. As a result of our work, 5 puppy mill-supplied pet stores, who did not want to adopt a humane model, have closed their doors and the first Best Friends endorsed rescued pets store, Woof Worx, was born. We are currently holding multiple peaceful demonstrations throughout L.A. and Orange County.

Independent Rescue Adoptions
Twice a month, our staff hosts an adoption event at alternating parks in L.A., where private party owners and independent rescuers can bring their animals to find them new homes with the assistance and guidance of our staff. In the past two years, over 400 animals were given a second chance through these unique adoption events.

Best Friends Brigade
Once each month, the Best Friends Brigade dispatches a team of volunteers to help L.A. area rescue groups and city and county shelters with essential projects and grooming. The Best Friends Brigade has assisted over 25 shelters and rescue groups with everything from cleaning runs to roof repairs to landscaping.

Stray And Free Roaming Cats
Here in Los Angeles, as in most cities, cats comprise the substantial majority of animals dying in shelters. Without a coherent cat strategy, we cannot hope to achieve a no-kill community. Best Friends has partnered with FixNation, the county’s first full-time, high-volume spay/neuter clinic devoted exclusively to cats. FixNation was created by Best Friends volunteers and Catnippers’ founders, Karn Myers and Mark Dodge. The target is 20,000 procedures annually.

Country Ordinances To Shut Down Puppy Mills
Federal and local regulations of commercial breeding facilities are woefully lax. Best Friends is working with L.A. County officials to crack down on the puppy mills that are cropping up in our own backyard.

Super Spay Days
Held twice a year, we offer the neighboring community free spay/neuter services, vaccinations, microchipping, licensing, vitamins, food and treats to help reduce the number of free-roaming unaltered dogs and cats in our local community. Each Super Spay Day averages 30 dogs and 80 cats!