Media Coverage
Fox 5 San Diego
California addresses veterinarian shortage, expands scope of veterinary staff
The signing of these bills comes after the San Diego Humane Society worked alongside several groups to advocate for these reforms, including: the San Francisco SPCA, CalAnimals, Valley Humane Society, Best Friends Animal Society, ASPCA, Michelson Center for Public Policy and the Humane World for Animals.
Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: California has led the way in curbing pet-selling cruelty. It can’t stop now
“California led in 2019 by barring pet stores from selling inhumanely, commercially bred dogs. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom can finish the job. By signing Assembly Bill 519, he can close the online loophole these bad-faith brokers exploit and make good on the state’s promise to curb this cruelty.” — Jennifer Naitaki, Michelson Center for Public Policy. Republished in MSN News.
NBC Los Angeles
Rescue groups respond after LAAS excludes rabbits from spay/neuter increase
Today was a bit of a blindside, to be honest,” Jana Brennan, program manager for Michelson Center for Public Policy's Spay and Neuter Initiative, told the Los Angeles Daily News on July 30. “Including those (coverage areas) is incredibly important for the long-term investment in spay and neuter in Los Angeles. So we were very disappointed to learn that had shifted back to that previous recommendation.” Republished in Los Angeles Daily News, The Daily Breeze, and MyNews LA.
Westside Current
LA Shelters are at a Breaking Point. City Council Just Defunded the Fix.
In a statement following the vote, Dr. Gary K. Michelson, founder and co-chair of the Michelson Center for Public Policy, said the decision would deepen the city’s ongoing shelter crisis. “The overcrowding of our shelters is a direct consequence of the city’s failure to provide basic services to families and their pets.” Republished in NewsBreak.
Los Angeles Daily News
LA eyes free spay and neuter surgeries for pets under new voucher plan
If approved, the new rates would effectively render sterilization procedures free to eligible pet owners using city vouchers. Animal welfare advocates said that could make a meaningful difference. “We really feel like it’s a step in the right direction,” said Jana Brennan, program manager for Michelson Center for Public Policy’s Spay and Neuter Initiative. “The voucher value has not been raised in a decade, so the adjustment really brings these vouchers into closer alignment with today’s veterinary costs.”
La Opinión
Concejo de Los Ángeles aprueba presupuesto que reduce despidos
“Si bien respetamos las difíciles decisiones presupuestarias que enfrenta el Ayuntamiento, su decisión de no financiar completamente el programa de vales de esterilización y castración de Los Ángeles representa la continuación de una crisis increíblemente costosa para Los Ángeles”, declaró Jana Brennan, gerente del programa de la Iniciativa de Esterilización y Castración del Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP).
Los Angeles Times
L.A. mayor says animal shelters won't close. Rescue groups are still on edge
Jennifer Naitaki, a vice president at the Michelson Center for Public Policy, which is affiliated with the Michelson Found Animals Foundation, acknowledged that saving animals’ lives is expensive. Still, additional funding would pay off in dividends by reducing births of unwanted animals and easing the strain on the city’s shelters, she said. “Obviously, that caused a huge uproar and a lot of anger and a lot of advocacy. And I also think maybe that’s not bad, right? It’s always good to get in front of our City Council members and the budget committee, and have them hear from the folks that care.”
Los Angeles Daily News
LA City Council OKs a one-year pilot program to boost microchipping by pet owners
Jennifer P. Naitaki, vice president of programs and strategic initiatives at the Michelson Center for Public Policy, also called the proposal a positive step. “Instead of saying, ‘Everybody must have a microchip, or else’, it’s saying, ‘Let’s give everybody access and then let’s hopefully have some meaningful change for shelter intake,’” Naitaki said.
La Opinión
Albergues para animales de LA en riesgo bajo recortes propuestos
“Entendemos las difíciles decisiones presupuestarias que enfrenta Los Ángeles, pero nos preocupan profundamente los recortes propuestos al Servicio de Animales de Los Ángeles”, dijo Jennifer Naitaki, vicepresidenta de programas e iniciativas estratégicas del Michelson Center for Public Policy.