Best Friends Animal Society and SEAACA Partner to Save At-Risk Kittens with Expanded Foster Program
Local Foster Homes Needed Now to Increase Pet Lifesaving for Kittens in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA (July 24, 2023) — Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in America’s shelters by 2025, and Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA), animal care and control services for 14 cities in southeast Los Angeles County and northern Orange County, are joining forces to expand SEAACA’s existing kitten foster program. This will increase the shelter's capacity to care for orphaned, vulnerable and unweaned kittens. By expanding the program’s ability to recruit, train and support fosters, the organizations will be able to have an even greater impact on pet lifesaving.
In 2022, SEAACA took in 1,894 kittens, of which 1,037 (55%) were saved. By collaborating with Best Friends to expand the existing foster program, the shelter can build upon their commitment to increase lifesaving for kittens in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Kittens brought into the shelter from SEAACA’s service area can be fostered by local volunteers. Beginning in July, the program will be piloted for six months after which it will transition fully to the shelter with ongoing support from Best Friends.
The partnership launch is timed to “Kitten Season”—the time of year when un-spayed female cats have most of their kittens. During May to November, communities across the country see a surge in their cat populations with thousands of kittens arriving in overwhelming numbers at local animal shelters. Kittens, especially newborns, are among the most at-risk population in a shelter environment and require specialized and around-the-clock care to help them thrive. This enhanced program will help to mitigate kittens from entering the shelter by getting them into foster homes until they can be adopted.
"Starting and running a successful foster program with volunteer support can be a significant challenge for an animal shelter,” said Brittany Thorn, Executive Director, Best Friends Animal Society, Los Angeles. “SEAACA is committed to increasing their lifesaving programming, but it takes a community to help save its homeless pets. We are looking forward to working with the shelter team and local volunteers to create a thriving program for the community and their pets.”
“SEAACA has been making tremendous strides to increase animal lifesaving, particularly with the vulnerable, unweaned kitten population,” said Denise Woodside, Executive Director, SEAACA. “We recognize that we cannot do this alone and receiving support from our community and lifesaving partners like Best Friends Animal Society is crucial to SEAACA’s ongoing efforts. We are grateful for the partnership, enthusiasm and support of Best Friends Animal Society as we all work together to increase animal lifesaving.”
Community support is integral to pet lifesaving. Foster families and transport drivers are some of the most important components of a successful lifesaving program for kittens. Fostering kittens is an easy way to help and all supplies and training will be provided at no cost. To start fostering and take in a pet in need, please sign-up here or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
About Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 378,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 4,300 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.
About Southeast Area Animal Control Authority
SEAACA proudly provides animal care and control services for 14 cities in southeast Los Angeles County and northern Orange County, including Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Buena Park, Downey, Lakewood, La Palma, Montebello, Norwalk, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, South Gate and Vernon. SEAACA's Animal Care Center located in Downey reunites pet owners with lost pets and actively engages community members and groups to find placement for unclaimed animals. SEAACA remains dedicated to lifesaving progress.