L.A. City Shelters Launch 'No-Kill December' Initiative

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles city shelters are making this the first month that no adoptable animals are killed at their facilities.

Organizers are calling it "No-Kill December" and have stepped up efforts to help their animals get a new lease (or should we say leash?) on life.

The plan was conceived by No-Kill Los Angeles, a coalition of animal welfare organizations, city shelters and individuals, dedicated to preventing healthy and treatable pets from being killed in L.A. shelters.

Many people choose to get a pet during the holiday season and organizers ask that people open their home to an animal in need.

Shelter workers say they're trying to find homes for at least 90 percent of their animals, and are close to achieving that goal.

Jeff Petree was at an L.A. shelter Friday to pick up a puppy he had been looking at online.

"I saw his picture and I just couldn't resist. He's just too cute," Petree said.

Last December, city shelters took in 3,632 dogs and cats. They had to kill 28 percent of them.

This month, the city so far has taken in 2,055 dogs, and has not had to euthanize any of them.

Aside from adopting, there are many ways for people to make a difference in these animals' lives. Many of these animals need foster homes until they can find a forever home. Shelters also need volunteers, whether it's helping them take photos or manning the phones.

To spread the word about No-Kill December visit Facebook and Twitter and share the following flyer online.

More Info About No-Kill December
Find Pets For Adoption
Visit A Shelter
Foster An Animal
Volunteer At A Shelter
Donate To NKLA