Imagery Empowers Appeals for Dog Shelter & LAHSA Staff Funds as Fiscal Year Ends

Are the social media images of a pair of dogs with iv lines timed for discussion on 7/1/26 budget cuts? The dogs, living on the street, are used by dealers to test for fentanyl

The three failed responsibilities, with dramatic repercussions, by LA City/County are

• Department of Children and Family Services  (DCFS)
• L.A. Animal Services
• Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

When budget cuts occur it is these services which garner enough attention to adjust the budget BUT NOT THE SERVICE EFFICIENCY 

Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)

Proposed budget includes a $88.9 million (3%) cut across all departments LA County Budget 

• Elimination of 310 vacant positions  - Budget Positions 9,888
• Reductions in various programs. 
• Potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding
• Tentative $4 billion settlement of thousands of childhood sexual assault claims brought under AB 218.  
  • Legal settlements and liabilities: Financing the $4.8 billion in two separate settlements against over 11,000 claims of AB 218 childhood sexual assault cases, with more claims being filed at a rate of roughly 150 per month;
  • LA County Announces Tentative Settlement of Additional AB 218 Cases and Heightened Anti-Fraud Provisions – COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
• Gross Appropriation ($3.5B)  3,525,369,000 
• Meanwhile, the Director has submitted his resignation after the 4/14/26 meeting discussion concerning sibling placement

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

•  $953 Million Homelessness Budget FY2025-26
• 43,699 Unhoused People  2025 LAHSA Homeless Count
• 7,396 People Permanently Housed in FY2025  City Of LA Homelessness Spending Dashboard
• Defunded by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors effective July 1, 2023
  • This withdrew 40% of the funding Los Angeles City needed to operate the LAHSA, resulting in the staff of 750 being reduced by 11 employees.
  • According to the L.A. DailyNews "The county Board of Supervisors agreed to allocate 315 positions from LAHSA for its new Homeless Services and Housing department, but ..." LAHSA announces plans to lay off nearly 300 employees amid a shift in funding – Daily News
  • The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority plans to lay off 284 employees
  • The LAHSA, according to GovSalaries.com, had 824 employees in 2024. The executive salaries in 2024 were
    • CEO $491,908
    • CFO $299,912 (242,100 salary + 20% in benefits)
• The new County department will be called Department of Homelessness, to launch by 1/1/ 2025.
• Governor Newsom announces $145.4 million in HHAP funding to help eight California regions reduce homelessness | Governor of California 

Los Angeles Animal Services

• One aspect of the proposed 2026-27 budget eliminates funding for Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL)
  • According to hellosouthladogs & Restore DPFL Funding
    • The South LA Shelter has 200 dogs - the most of any L.A. shelter
    • Only 28 have been walked by a volunteer, averaging 63 days since their last outing
    • DPFL entire contract is < 1/100th of 1% of the City's 14.85B budget
    • They are asking for a- Call to Action Go to savedpfl.org.
    • They are also asking for the public to address the Council "Mon 4/27 @ 3:30 PM John Ferraro Council Chamber, Rm 340 200 N Spring St You get 1 minute. Say your name, your district, and: “Restore funding for Dogs Playing for Life at LAAS. Do not let it lapse July 1"

More News from Los Angeles

• LABOS Prioritize Sibling Placement & LA County Child Welfare Director Stepping Down The resignation announcement follows discussion on 4/14/26 to prioritize co-placement of siblings in resource homes - in compliance with existing Fed/State laws & discussed in 2017
• First Anniversary of the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center 5/15/26 Celebrate the First Anniversary of the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center in an unforgettable evening of art, culture, and community!