Friends of La Animal Shelters

Los Angeles' orphaned animals are taken in and cared for by Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS), one of the largest municipal shelters systems in the United States. With six shelters serving the entire city, LAAS takes in approximately 60,000 animals a year. How many of these animals leave the shelter alive? LAAS' "Live Save Rate" (the percentage of animals who leave alive) is 60%. This means more than 20,000 animals are killed in Los Angeles every year. Of these, nearly 12,000 are adoptable pets who are killed when the shelters get too full to care for them all.

Friends of L.A. Animal Shelters (FriendsofLAAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed in Dec. 2010 exclusively to help LAAS increase the city's Live Save Rate. FriendsofLAAS is directed by volunteers (a Board of Directors and Advisory Board) and relies on donations to operate. We receive no federal, state or local funding.

The Board's first success was the opening of L.A. Love & Leashes (LALoveLeashes) -- a pet store with a twist! The store provided a high-traffic adoption venue for shelter dogs and cats. As of the end of March 2025, more than 6.000 shelter animals had been adopted through the store.

L.A. Love & Leashes has transitioned to a volunteer-led organization that will direct 100% of funds raised to support medical cases of dogs and cats at LAAS to enhance adoption and rescue opportunities. 

The killing can be stopped and we cannot do it alone. This is a community challenge that will require shelter staff who are given hope and help, small rescue groups, large national nonprofits and YOU.

How You Can Help:

▪     Donate to our cause. Your tax-deductible donation can be given through Venmo, PayPal or mailed to: Friends of L.A. Animal Shelters, 8383 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 702, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

▪     Shop and adopt at L.A. Love & Leashes. Feel good knowing that every dollar you spend helps our efforts.

▪     Tell a friend.  Look for FriendsofLAAS and LALoveLeashes on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

▪     Volunteer.  Email volunteer@friendsoflaas.org for more information.

With your help, we can make L.A. a better place for the kitties, dogs and critters who love us unconditionally.

For more information about Friends of L.A. Animal Shelters, please visit http://www.friendsoflaas.org. For more information about L.A. Love & Leashes, please visit http://www.laloveandleashes.com.