Brief

The Mayor initiated acceptance of a charitable donation from Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru Sherman Oaks into the city's Animal Welfare Trust Fund. City Council adopted the donation 14-0-1 in November 2024. The file has since moved through the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee, which approved it on June 23, 2026, and is now pending final review by the Budget and Finance Committee.

Full summary

In October 2024, the Mayor submitted a Board of Animal Services report recommending that the City accept a $25,571 donation from Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru Sherman Oaks into the Animal Welfare Trust Fund. The donation was originally intended to fund supplies and equipment used in enrichment activities at city animal care centers by volunteers. The Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee approved the item, and City Council adopted it 14-0-1 on November 6, 2024. Mayor Bass approved the action on November 18, 2024. By 2026, the Department of Animal Services sought to redirect those same funds to a different purpose. Starting in November 2025, the Department collaborated with the Mayor's Office and LAPD to launch an outreach and enforcement program in Skid Row after multiple allegations of animal cruelty. The program contacted more than a hundred pet owners and distributed donated supplies including leashes, pet food, food bowls, and medical resources. With those resources nearly exhausted, the Department approached Subaru Sherman Oaks in April 2026 about redirecting the $25,571 donation to ongoing animal care and community support services in Skid Row. Subaru Sherman Oaks agreed to the change in use. General Manager Gabrielle Amster submitted a new report on June 5, 2026, asking the Mayor and Council to authorize the revised use of the funds, which remain deposited in the Animal Welfare Trust Fund. The Department of Animal Services report notes there is no impact to the General Fund. The Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee approved the redirection on June 23, 2026, and transmitted the file to the Budget and Finance Committee, where it currently awaits final action.

Activity (13)

• 2026-06-23 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee transmitted Council File to Budget and Finance Committee.
• 2026-06-23 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee approved item(s) .
• 2026-06-18 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on June 23, 2026.
• 2026-06-10 Department of Animal Services document(s) referred to Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee; Budget and Finance Committee.
• 2026-06-09 Document submitted by Department of Animal Services, dated June 5, 2026.
• 2024-11-18 Council action final.
• 2024-11-06 City Clerk transmitted file to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is November 18, 2024.
• 2024-11-06 Council adopted item forthwith.
• 2024-11-01 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on November 6, 2024.
• 2024-10-23 Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee approved item(s) .
• 2024-10-18 Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on October 23, 2024.
• 2024-10-16 Board of Animal Services document(s) referred to Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee.
• 2024-10-11 Document(s) submitted by Mayor, as follows:Board of Animal Services report dated October 9, 2024, relative to accepting a donation from Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru Sherman Oaks into the Animal Welfare Trust Fund.

Documents (8)

• 2026-06-23 Communication from Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee Clerk - Transmittal Letter · other
• 2026-06-23 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2026-06-05 Report from Department of Animal Services · report
• 2024-11-18 Mayor Concurrence/Council Action · other
• 2024-11-06 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2024-10-23 Report from Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee · report
• 2024-10-23 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2024-10-09 Report from Board of Animal Services · report

Council votes (1)

• 2024-11-06 Adopted Forthwith — 14-0-1 · Regular