Brief

The Mayor, through a City Administrative Officer report dated September 1, 2026, is requesting council authorization for a right-of-entry license agreement that would allow BetterTogether Forever to provide animal intervention services at the Department of Animal Services' North Central Animal Services Center. The file was introduced September 11, 2026, and is currently pending review in the Arts, Parks, and City Facilities Committee.

Full summary

This Council File seeks approval for a two-year license agreement allowing betterTogether Forever, a Glendale-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to operate free animal intervention services inside the North Central Animal Services Center at 3201 Lacy Street in Lincoln Heights (Council District 1). The core goal is to help pet owners keep their animals rather than surrender them to the shelter, with the aim of reducing overcrowding at the facility. The agreement runs from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2028, with the Department retaining the option to extend for one additional year. Under the license, betterTogether Forever staff would set up a table and chairs in a department-designated area at the shelter to connect members of the public with a range of support services. Those services can include financial assistance for veterinary care, spay and neuter coordination, boarding, training, emotional support animal assessments, dog license fee assistance, redemption fee assistance, relocation services, and online support for volunteers and shelter staff dealing with compassion fatigue. The Department would also provide space, when feasible, for betterTogether Forever to store and distribute pet supplies such as food, collars, leashes, and carriers. The agreement costs the City nothing: betterTogether Forever donates all services, and the Department anticipates receiving services valued at approximately $319,000 over the two-year term. The arrangement builds on a shorter engagement already underway. The Department executed a preliminary three-month right-of-entry with betterTogether Forever on June 23, 2026, and the Board of Animal Services Commissioners approved moving to this longer-term agreement on August 11, 2026. General Manager Gabrielle Amster transmitted the request to Mayor Karen Bass, whose office approved it for further processing. Because City administrative code requires council approval whenever city-owned property is licensed for use beyond four months, the matter was forwarded to the City Administrative Officer, whose September 1, 2026 report confirmed no fiscal impact to the General Fund and found the contractor in compliance with applicable city contracting requirements. The City Attorney reviewed and approved the license as to form. The file was referred to the Arts, Parks, and City Facilities Committee on September 11, 2026, where it remains pending. No committee hearing date or council vote has been recorded as of the most recent activity.

Activity (2)

• 2026-09-11 City Administrative Officer document(s) referred to Arts, Parks, and City Facilities Committee.
• 2026-09-11 Document submitted by the Mayor, City Administrative Officer report dated September 1, 2026.

Documents (1)

• 2026-09-01 Report from City Administrative Officer · report