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Department of Animal Services (DAS) / Pet Fairs / Community Events / Increase Adoption Rates / Large Transport Vehicles

Council File 25-1221

Under review — the city council approved a plan to study mobile animal shelters that would bring more adoptable pets to community events across the city, and the Department of Animal Services has now submitted its initial findings for the committee to evaluate.

Introduced
2025-10-17
Last changed
2026-06-24
Status
open
Expires
2028-06-24
Committee
Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee
Mover
IMELDA PADILLA
Second
EUNISSES HERNANDEZ

Brief

Councilmember Imelda Padilla, seconded by Eunisses Hernandez, moved to direct the Department of Animal Services to boost adoption rates by conducting pet fairs and community outreach events, with authorization to use large transport vehicles for these initiatives. The motion was approved by the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee in January 2026 and adopted by Council on January 21, 2026, by a vote of 10-0-5. The file is now subject to reconsideration under Council Rule 51.

Full summary

Councilmember Imelda Padilla introduced this motion in response to persistent overcrowding and underfunding at the Department of Animal Services' six shelters, which are spread across the city in Chesterfield Square, Van Nuys, San Pedro, Lincoln Heights, West Los Angeles, and Chatsworth. The geographic spread of those facilities, the motion argues, discourages many families from visiting in person to adopt. Pet Fairs — events that bring animals to parks and community venues — have proven effective, but their reach is limited by DAS transport capacity. At one CD6 Pet Fair, DAS could bring only six animals available for adoption, a figure the motion cites as illustrative of the problem. DAS's own July 2025 statistics show the scale of what is possible: that month alone, 2,125 animals were adopted, 262 placed in foster care, 326 reunited with owners, and 1,486 transferred to rescue partners. The motion directs DAS, with assistance from the City Administrative Officer, to report on the costs of investing in large transport vehicles with built-in kennels — custom-built trucks ranging from cargo vans to motor home-style vehicles capable of holding 15 to 50 animals — along with the additional personnel that would be required. The report is also to identify potential funding sources and assess the feasibility of expanding DAS participation not just in dedicated pet fairs but in community resource fairs, health fairs, and other city-sponsored events. The Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee approved the motion on January 13, 2026, and the full City Council adopted it on January 21, 2026, by a vote of 10-0-5. Community Impact Statements were submitted by the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council in November 2025 and the Studio City Neighborhood Council in April 2026, reflecting active neighborhood interest in the proposal. On June 24, 2026, DAS submitted a report that was referred back to the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee, indicating the department has begun responding to the Council's directive and that the file remains active pending committee review of that response.

Activity (10)

  • 2026-06-24 Department of Animal Services document(s) referred to Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee.
  • 2026-06-24 Document submitted by Department of Animal Services, dated June 24, 2026.
  • 2026-04-24 Community Impact Statement submitted by Studio City Neighborhood Council.
  • 2026-01-23 Council action final.
  • 2026-01-21 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2026-01-16 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on January 21, 2026.
  • 2026-01-13 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2026-01-08 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on January 13, 2026.
  • 2025-11-12 Community Impact Statement submitted by Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council.
  • 2025-10-17 Motion referred to Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee.

Documents (19)

Council votes (1)

  • 2026-01-21 Adopted — 10-0-5 · Regular

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