As of March 2021, after reaching a 90% save rate, Los Angeles officially became a “no-kill” city, therefore making LA shelter animal Euthanizations illegal. The other 10% of animal Euthanasia remains a result of serious medical or behavioral issues--which affect the animal’s quality of life--rather than a lack of space. Before LA was able to claim the “no-kill” title, Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS), among other non-profit organizations, dedicated their lives to rescue animals with tragic fates.
BFAS, which now has an incredibly large following, began their mission in 2012 with the slogans “Save Them All” and “No Kill Los Angeles.” At the time, LA had a 56% save right, meaning that a little over half of the animals in shelters survived their stay, according to a statement from BFAS. Due to this upsetting reality, they strived to promote ethical animal care, offering shelter to injured or homeless pets. Their primary goal was to provide every pet in need with a chance--an opportunity the animal shelters hardly offered at the time.
“We were creating a better world through kindness to animals,” BFAS wrote in a statement.
Additionally, BFAS expressed how they not only hoped to physically help animals but to “lay the groundwork for how this country looks at--and looks out for--its homeless dogs and cats.”
Luckily, after nine years of passionate, admirable work, they achieved their goal for LA, and hopefully, the rest of the country will follow suit.
However, despite their recent milestone, BFAS yearns to further prevent unnecessary euthanasia in every community across the entire country by 2025. Simultaneously, the non-profit plans to conquer various systemic issues that put shelter pets at risk.
In sum, BFAS will not stop working until euthanasia is only “an act of mercy” as opposed to a solution for a lack of space and supplies. As an animal lover and long time BFAS supporter, hearing about their mission has been inspiring, in the sense that I developed an even stronger desire to help animals in need, both in my community and eventually the entire country.
To the readers, if you are interested in offering your support to BFAS, their website provides local volunteering, fostering, and donation opportunities. As such, any deed, regardless of its overall significance, is one step closer to achieving justice for the underserved animals.
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