Los Angeles’s animal shelters have long faced criticism for their management and the conditions within, sparking public outcry and demands for significant reforms. Amid these challenges, Staycee Dains took the helm of the city’s Animal Services department last summer, charged with the daunting tasks of reducing overcrowding, bolstering staff numbers, and ensuring the welfare of pets in the city’s care. Dains’s tenure so far has been marked by concerted efforts to increase volunteer engagement and staff recruitment, resulting in a significant rise in volunteer numbers and the filling of essential staff positions.
Despite these strides, recent footage and volunteer testimonies highlight ongoing issues of overcrowding, insufficient animal exercise, and subpar kennel conditions. Yet, Dains remains optimistic, pointing to improvements in engagement, humane care standards, and accountability measures as key achievements under her leadership. Controversy arose, however, with a misinterpreted communication about animal categorization, which Dains clarified by reaffirming the department’s commitment to not euthanize healthy and friendly pets.
Looking forward, Dains is focusing on addressing the root causes of overcrowding through initiatives like a moratorium on breeding permits and expanding the city’s spay and neuter program. Recognizing the importance of community support, she calls on Los Angeles residents to volunteer, foster, adopt, and donate, emphasizing that collective action is essential for transformative change in the shelters.