Kitten Season is Here, And Los Angeles Is Not Ready

Why Spay and Neuter Funding Matters Now More Than Ever

As temperatures rise and spring settles in, kitten season is already underway in Los Angeles—and this year, it’s projected to be bigger than ever. Shelters are bracing for a surge in unwanted litters, community cat colonies are expanding, and overburdened rescue organizations are sounding the alarm.

Unfortunately, the City of Los Angeles is not prepared.

In March of this year, Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) announced the decision to cap the Citywide Cat Program (CCP) vouchers at 2,000 vouchers per month. Given the overwhelming need, this decision has left many residents and trappers scrambling. These vouchers, designed to reduce the community cat population in Los Angeles, are now being exhausted before the end of the month, and it is expected that the cap on these vouchers will continue into the next fiscal year. 

“It’s heartbreaking to see this level of need and know that the city isn’t providing adequate resources to address it,” says Jana Brennan, Program Manager for Michelson Found Animals’ Spay and Neuter Initiative. “There’s a backlog of adoptable animals waiting to be fixed, and we’re running out of time before shelters are completely overwhelmed.”

A Growing Crisis with No City Safety Net

With limited city resources and increasing demand, the burden of prevention has fallen on local organizations, rescue groups, and a dedicated network of veterinarians and volunteers. Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) is already facing a crisis-level backlog of unaltered animals, and without immediate action, the city will be dealing with an even greater influx of animals—many of whom will end up in overcrowded shelters with no guarantee of adoption.

At Michelson Found Animals, we refuse to let inaction be the norm. Through our grantmaking and deep community partnerships, we are stepping up where the city has fallen short.

Taking Action: Spay & Neuter Support Backed by Private Funding

Thanks to the Robert and Erika Brunson Fund, Michelson Found Animals has been able to fund over $1 million in spay and neuter efforts across Los Angeles in recent years, because someone has to. This year alone, we have already spayed and neutered nearly 1,200 animals through community clinics and partner collaborations.

One of our key partners is Animal Balance, with whom we’ve hosted six spay/neuter clinics since December 2024. These clinics will provide approximately 1,500 spay and neuter procedures for LAAS animals by June 2025, helping to reduce unwanted litters while getting the shelter caught up on their backlog of animals waiting to be sterilized. 

“If we’re serious about solving LA’s overcrowding crisis, we must treat spay and neuter as essential infrastructure—especially as we prepare to host global events like the Olympics and World Cup,” says Dr. Gary K. Michelson, founder of Michelson Found Animals. “We cannot showcase our city to the world while ignoring the suffering of thousands of homeless animals on our streets and in our shelters. Prevention is the only scalable solution.”

What Needs to Change—and How You Can Help

We know that spay and neuter is the single most effective way to reduce shelter intake and prevent suffering before it begins. But we cannot do it alone. The city must increase its funding, enforce voucher eligibility requirements, and prioritize spay/neuter clinics in underserved areas.

Until that happens, Michelson Found Animals will continue doing everything we can to close the gap—but there’s only so much one organization can do.

Here’s how we can move forward:

• Reevaluate the voucher cap and increase funding for spay/neuter subsidies 
• Streamline the voucher system to create an efficient and effective platform for LA residents to access vouchers  
• Expand low-cost and mobile clinic availability in historically underserved neighborhoods 
• Engage in community education and outreach to prevent accidental litters 
• Build a long-term citywide prevention plan ahead of international events that will bring global attention to Los Angeles 

“If we don’t act now,” Jana Brennan adds, “we’ll be dealing with far more than just a few extra litters. We’ll be facing a full-blown animal welfare crisis, right as the world turns its eyes on our city.”

Be Part of the Solution

Michelson Found Animals is proud to support the lifesaving work of our spay and neuter partners, but this fight requires all of us. We encourage pet owners to be proactive, neighbors to speak up, and city leaders to take bold, immediate action.

If you’d like to support our efforts or learn more about our Spay & Neuter Initiative, visit foundanimals.org.

Because kitten season won’t wait—and neither can we.