Next Tuesday, July 26, 2016, the Board of the Los Angeles Animal Services Commission will hold its meeting in South Los Angeles. On behalf of Commission President David Zaft, Commissioners Alana Yañez, Olivia Garcia, Roger Wolfson and myself, Larry Gross, we would like to extend an invitation to attend our meeting at 7:00 PM at the South Los Angeles Chesterfield Square Animal Shelter, 1850 W. 60th Street (Just west of Western Ave & South of Slauson Ave), Los Angeles, CA 90047.

We encourage community members to attend the meeting and make their concerns regarding animal issues in the City of Los Angeles known directly to officials of the Animal Services Department.

Prior to the meeting, at 6:15 pm, the public is being offered a tour of the South Los Angeles Animal Shelter facility.

The public will be able to make general comments on any subject matter that the Board has jurisdiction on during the public comment period.

The Department of Animal Services is making significant strides in ensuring the protection and safety of our animals. Euthanasia rates have dropped dramatically in the past two years. We recently were provided new enforcement tools to help ensure our laws protecting animals and the public is upheld. We have also been authorized to fill a number of new and vacant Animal Control Officer (ACO) positions. While we are making progress on many other fronts more is needed to increase adoptions and educate the public on why it is crucial to spay or neuter. We need your help and support on these issues.

The Department is also in the midst of a strategic plan process to obtain public input on determining our priority goals and direction. We recently completed a series of community meeting in each of the 15 Council districts. For those who were unable to attend one of these meeting we are encouraging people to provide their input through an online survey. You can fill out a survey by going to: bit.ly/LAAS-Survey

The agenda for this meeting is attached.

Please join us. Attached is a bilingual (English/Spanish) leaflet announcing the meeting. Help us spread the word by distributing the leaflet to neighbors, friends, Neighborhood Council members and other parties of interest.

Spanish language and sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability, you are advised to make your request prior to the meeting. For information please call (213) 482-9558.

Hope to see you Tuesday evening.