1000th Adoption Celebrated by Friends of L.A. Animal Shelter's L.A. Love & Leashes Westside Pavilion Shelter Store

L.A. Love & Leashes, L.A.’s only “shelter shop” 100% dedicated to dogs and cats living at local city animals shelters, recently celebrated its 1000th adoption. The one-of-a-kind shop works with Los Angeles Animal Services to bring dogs and cats to a welcoming adoption venue at the Westside Pavilion mall, six days a week. The all-volunteer board of Friends of L.A. Animal Services, the non-profit that created the shop, hosted the celebration. The 1000th adoptee, a terrier mix named Sadie, arrived with her loving new family, Eddie and Melissa Rabin. Many alumni returned with their adopters to join in on the fun. Even Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz stopped by the festivities, presenting the board with a certificate commending L.A. Love & Leashes on their contributions to the community. Koretz, a cat fancier, couldn’t resist visiting the sweet kitties up for adoption!

“We’re thrilled to have saved 1000 lives and to have created a space that is dedicated to finding homes for some of the most vulnerable: dogs and cats not yet rescued and living at our city shelters,” said John Mass, President of Friends of L.A. Animal Shelters. “Not everyone is open to – or thinks to – visit a shelter when they are looking to add a new family member. L.A. Love & Leashes brings the shelter to the mall, so that these dogs and cats have the chance to show people how amazing they are.”

The store’s success is due in large part to a successful public-private partnership with Los Angeles Animal Services.

Los Angeles Animal Services staff transports dogs and cats to the Westside Pavilion each morning. Those not adopted during the day return to the shelter at night. Los Angeles Animal Services also provides veterinary care including spay/neuter, micro chipping, vaccinations, etc. Dedicated L.A. Love & Leashes staff and volunteers care for the animals at the store, educate potential adopters about the lifelong responsibilities of adoption, and facilitate adoptions on site, placing homeless dogs and cats with loving families.

L.A. Love & Leashes extends special thanks to Healthy Spot, Wagaware, Amoeba Music and K9s Only, who have been especially supportive to their cause.

To adopt a shelter pet or make a donation to L.A. Love and Leashes, visit www.laloveandleashes.com or stop by the retail location in the Westside Pavilion on the first floor between Nordstrom and Macy’s.

Photo - From left to right, Eddie and Melissa Rabin with Sadie, the 1000th pet adopted from L.A.. Love & Leashes, and Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz.

Photo credit - Morgan Genser