As immigration raids increase across Los Angeles County, a heartbreaking pattern has emerged: dogs and cats are being abandoned in shelters after their owners are detained or deported. 

These pets — beloved members of families — are ending up in overcrowded animal care centers, terrified, alone, and without anyone to return to.

They are innocent victims of a system with no safety net.

Since June, 28 animals have been taken into county shelters directly because of immigration enforcement actions. More are arriving each week. While shelter staff are doing their best, space is limited, and long-term outcomes are uncertain. Families are being separated — and now their pets are, too.

We, the undersigned, are calling on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and California state legislators to immediately fund and expand emergency foster care and pet support programs for animals displaced by immigration actions.

This support should include:

• A network of pre-approved foster homes
• Rapid-response pet placement teams
• Bilingual outreach and education for at-risk families
• Temporary housing and veterinary care assistance
• Coordination with immigrant support groups and legal aid services
   

No one should be forced to surrender their pet because they’re being taken into custody. And no animal should suffer or die simply because its human family was targeted.