Pictured from left to right: Brett Llewellyn (Dogs Trust USA Acting Executive Vice President & Director) | Veronica Carbone (DT USA Board of Directors) | Owen Sharp (DT Chief Executive) | Sian Hornigold (Dog School Project Manager) | Marcia Mayeda (LA County Director) | Fumie Yamamoto (LA Senior Veterinarian) | Maria Rosales (LA Animal Control Manager).
Los Angeles, California, March 2023 – In 2022, more than 40,000 dogs ended up in Los Angeles shelters, which surpassed 2021 and 2020 numbers. In the U.S. overall, 45% of these dogs are given to shelters because of behavior problems.
This is why Dogs Trust USA, Inc., a 501(c)(3), is proud to announce a new partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) to implement a Professional Development program at its shelters. The program supports DACC’s commitment to improving dog behavior knowledge throughout the department and investing in its staff. This program was made possible through a grant from the PEDIGREE Foundation.
LA County DACC is one of the most progressive and largest animal control agencies in the United States. DACC oversees seven animal care centers across Los Angeles County and 44 contract cities with a combined total population of over 3 million residents.
"Many dogs that come through our doors either haven’t had a loving home in which to learn proper training, or are anxious in an animal care center setting,” said LA County Department of Animal Care and Control Director Marcia Mayeda. “We’re so grateful to Dogs Trust USA for this partnership, which will help our staff master the skills needed to prepare dogs with behavioral foundations fit for forever homes."
The Professional Development program will provide DACC staff and volunteers with additional behavior knowledge focusing on key fundamentals of dog behavior and learning related to the Animal Care Center environment. The goal is to empower staff, build their confidence in dog behavior, and be able to pass their knowledge via in-house training to other staff and volunteers.
"Dogs Trust USA is extremely proud to partner with the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control. We’re committed to improving the dog behavioral knowledge of their animal care center employees and volunteers, which will in turn positively impact the overcrowding issues in LA," said Steve Goward, Dogs Trust USA’s Head of Professional Development in Canine Behavior. "The program will have an ongoing ripple effect, as these employees will then mentor other current and future employees and volunteers."
Gemma Smith, the Training & Behavior Project Manager of Dogs Trust USA, will lead the program department-wide starting in March 2023.
Learn more about Dogs Trust USA’s Professional Development program and support efforts.
About Dogs Trust USA, Inc.
At Dogs Trust USA, we draw on a long history of dog expertise and evidence-based research. We’re the affiliate organization of Dogs Trust, the UK’s leading dog welfare charity, founded over 130 years ago, which helps improve the lives of dogs around the world.
Although we draw much of our expertise and experience from Dogs Trust in the UK, Dogs Trust USA is a U.S. based, nonprofit registered charity, which aims to help as many dogs as possible right here in the United States to find loving homes, and to live happy and healthy lives.
About DACC
DACC operates seven animal care centers throughout Los Angeles County, providing care to nearly 30,000 animals each year. The Department has been recognized by various animal welfare organizations and local agencies for its innovation and animal life-saving efforts.
Press Contact
John Conroy, Dogs Trust USA, Inc.
724-681-3310
john.conroy@dogstrustusa.org
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