Directors of Animal Welfare: Helping Los Angeles Communities & The Animals That Inhabit Them

Denise Fleck

"It’s a man’s sympathy with all creatures that truly makes him a man. Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man himself will not find peace."

These words spoken decades ago by Albert Schweitzer ring true to a special group of dedicated and caring Los Angelenos. Appointed to be the eyes and ears of those who can not speak for themselves, The Directors of Animal Welfare (DAWs) work with their Neighborhood Councils to tackle problems, initiate proposals and hold events aimed at solving problems or creating awareness on issues that help humans and animals live together harmoniously. In 1999, the new L.A. City Charter divided Los Angeles into 90 geographic areas and a Neighborhood Council was empowered in each to represent its respective neighborhoods.

In October 2004, Valley Glen Council member Dr. Charlotte Laws introduced the idea of appointing a representative to each Neighborhood Council to handle animal-related issues. The Director of Animal Welfare program was part of her proposal to make Los Angeles a No-Kill City. With approximately 40,000 dogs, cats and small animals euthanized in L.A. annually at a cost of $14 million, it is a crisis in need of resolution.

Valley Glen, won over by Dr. Laws’ enthusiasm and good ideas, promptly appointed her to the position for their area. Additionally, Laws proposed the formation of a California Animal Commission. Comprised of non-paid individuals committed to animal welfare, the Commission would serve in an advisory capacity to help cities and counties achieve the no-kill goal at their public shelters.

According to Laws, “This would be an important first step towards ending the needless killing of tens of thousands of animals each year.” If formed, California would be the first to have such a Commission and would lead the nation by recognizing the plight of its animals.

Recently Ed Boks, General Manager of the L.A. Department of Animal Services (LAAS), wrote a letter to all 90 Neighborhood Councils encouraging them to support the DAW Program and select a stakeholder as their representative. Currently 35 DAWs have been appointed, so the program is still looking for more individuals to get involved. With eleven committees, there is something for everyone, from Spay/Neuter Education to the Elephant exhibit issues at the L.A. Zoo; from disaster preparedness plans, to horse trails to animal cruelty cases.

According to Burbank DAW George Shea, “The value of the DAW Program is simply that if you’re into animal [issues], you can feel isolated - a bunch of separate groups not knowing what each other is doing and with no real clout behind us. Becoming a DAW has brought it all together for me…I’m not alone in my struggles; we exchange ideas and support each others goals.”

The Directors of Animal Welfare have a lot on their plate and with kudos to Charlotte Laws, the program has created an environment that welcomes all causes and points of view. The individuals come from diverse backgrounds with differing priorities, yet they are finding the organization an excellent forum to make things happen.

After speaking with a dozen or more members of this grassroots organization, I find they work like the many spokes of a wheel...together they move forward and keep themselves in balance. Most are pet parents and concerned with Animal Welfare (those whose goals are to prevent suffering and provide care for animals) and a few are Animal Rights Activists (those who wish to end all human exploitation of animals). There are Realtors, attorneys, rescue workers, hair stylists, photographers, actors, business professionals, athletes and at least one medical doctor who together are turning the wheel of progress and hope to roll Los Angeles in the direction of Mahatma Gandhi’s vision: The moral greatness of national should be judged by the way it treats it animals.

For more information visit www.dawprogram.org or contact DAW President Charlotte Laws at drlaws@adelphia.net or (818) 781-5280.

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Denise Fleck, founder of Sunny-dog Ink, is a writer on animal issues. She is also an Animal Care Instructor specializing in Pet First-Aid & CPR and Caring for Senior Pets, a volunteer with Akita Buddies Rescue and a Board Member of the Bumper Foundation. Visit her website at www.sunnydogink.com.