The fires in Los Angeles have destroyed more than 12,000 structures so far. Thousands of people have been displaced, and local animal shelters have seen an influx of animals arriving from the fire zones. This has placed immense strain on their facilities, requiring massive efforts to make space for these incoming animals without having to rely on euthanasia. 

California animal shelters and rescues were already in a crisis prior to this disaster. Euthanasia rates were increasing, and there were simply not enough homes for all the animals in need.

The tragedy in LA is only going to make things worse. With thousands of people losing their homes, this means many pets will be displaced while the community works to rebuild. It means fewer foster homes will be available for homeless animals. It means fewer adoptive homes will be available for homeless animals.

Shelters and rescues throughout the state were already stretched thin. Now, they are going to be stretched even thinner as they scramble to take in dogs from LA. Organizations outside of LA are doing what they can to take in animals from LA to relieve the pressure local shelters are experiencing. Organizations statewide and beyond are feeling the impacts of this disaster.

Needless to say, this is something that will impact the entire state for the foreseeable future. If what we witnessed with the Lahaina fire on Maui is any indication, this initial outpouring of support will eventually wane, increasing overcrowding in shelters. This, in turn, leads to more euthanasias.

With so many displaced and homeless animals in California right now, there is NO need for anyone in California to be breeding dogs. There are too many animals looking for homes and not enough homes to take them in. Any breeding in the state right now continues to overburden an already taxed shelter and rescue system that is trying to do everything it can to now accommodate the animals displaced by the fires.

In light of the fires in LA, we are calling on elected officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, to implement an immediate 2 year ban on breeding dogs statewide, voiding all active breeding permits. We are also asking for implementation of substantial fines for anyone breeding dogs in the state while shelters and rescues scramble to try to save as many displaced and homeless pets as possible.

We cannot keep expecting shelters and rescues to be the only ones working to solve this pet overpopulation issue. Only our lawmakers can implement the laws needed to get the problem under control, especially as shelters and rescues work to save as many animals as possible.

Please sign our petition to get our elected officials to ban the breeding of dogs throughout the state while LA rebuilds.