Los Angeles officials say a pilot program has rescued 38 animals, including 26 dogs, from Skid Row as part of a joint effort between law enforcement and animal services.

The initiative, developed by LAPD’s Central Division and L.A. Animal Services, seeks to remove animals living in criminal environments and connect them to shelter and care rather than treat the effort as a one-day enforcement sweep. The operation involved 60 people and was carried out last month, city officials said. Animals in homeless communities often face barriers to veterinary care, along with difficulties in accessing food and exposure to extreme weather, further complicating their welfare. What are the common challenges faced by animals in homeless communities?

Lieutenant Andy Mathes of LAPD’s Central Division described the conditions officers encountered. “We’re definitely animal lovers by nature,” he said, adding later: “They were living in horrible conditions. The dogs had faeces on them.” The description echoed observations from outreach groups that have worked in the area, where issues like malnutrition and untreated injuries are common among pets of unhoused individuals.

Volunteers and animal officers identified a range of animals on encampment sites and adjacent sidewalks. Two cases cited by officials underline the scope of the work: several dogs so thin their rib cages were visible were listed as rescued from a puppy mill and a number of puppies removed from illegal sales; both are now in the care of L.A. Animal Services. According to advocates, these dogs are fortunate, as many animals in such situations often suffer from a lack of basic necessities and face potential harm.

Participating teams combined law enforcement authority with animal-safety procedures so officers could separate animals from environments where criminal activity is present and provide immediate transport to safety. L.A. Animal Services staff then assumed medical screening and intake, with sheltering or transfer to rescue partners as appropriate. Local residents are encouraged to support these initiatives by volunteering at shelters or fostering animals, which helps free up space for more rescues.

Advocates who have long worked on the issue framed the pilot as a response to repeated pleas from the street. Victoriah Parker of Starts with One Today said, “We have been screaming, not talking, screaming about this issue for a long time.” Parker added a stark catalogue of harms she has witnessed: “We have seen dogs being stabbed. We’ve seen dogs getting shot. Pretty much anything you can think of.” Her organization has advocated for coordinated outreach and rescue in Skid Row, highlighting that shelters often provide essential services—such as free or low-cost veterinary care—to pets owned by those experiencing homelessness.

The city characterized the program as focused on animal welfare and public safety, aiming to identify at-risk animals tied to illegal activity and to provide veterinary care, housing, and placement options. Animal-services officers carry out legal welfare checks and removals where permitted and transport animals to clinics or shelters for assessment.

Officials described vivid scenes on the sidewalks and in tent areas, noting dogs of many sizes that appeared unphased by fires set nearby and animals so dirty they carried faeces on their coats. The rescued animals — 38 in total — were processed through L.A. Animal Services and remain under its care while officials coordinate next steps for sheltering, treatment, and potential placement. The initiative is a significant step in addressing the needs of these vulnerable animals and is reflective of ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare of pets in marginalized communities.

City leaders framed the pilot as ongoing rather than a single sweep, intended to create a repeatable approach to separating animals from harmful situations and linking them to medical care and rescue partners. The program builds on longstanding outreach work on the downtown streets and on partnerships between municipal agencies and nonprofit groups. For context on services shelters typically provide to pets of people experiencing homelessness—such as veterinary care, temporary safekeeping, and supplies—resources like the Pets of the Homeless network offer information on common shelter services and partner programs.

City officials said the pilot will continue to inform how law enforcement and animal services coordinate on Skid Row rescues; those involved will assess operational protocols and care pathways as the program proceeds.

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Original reporting: view the original article.