Veteran Animal Welfare Leader Tapped to Head L.A. Animal Services

Gabrielle Amster named to lead city's sprawling shelter system amid overcrowding and rising euthanasia rates

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:55pm

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Mayor Karen Bass has appointed Gabrielle Amster as the new general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, putting a veteran animal welfare executive in charge of the city's six-shelter network. Amster, who previously served as director of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace and executive director of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, now faces the challenge of addressing overcrowding, high euthanasia rates, and other issues plaguing the department.

Why it matters

Los Angeles Animal Services is one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the country, processing around 60,000 animals per year. The department has faced mounting criticism over rising euthanasia rates and poor conditions for animals, making Amster's appointment a crucial step in addressing these long-standing problems.

The details

In the first two months of 2026, the department saw a 39% jump in dog euthanasia despite a 6% drop in dog intakes, according to the Los Angeles Times. Volunteers have also raised concerns about kennel stress and behavioral decline among animals kept in crowded, high-pressure shelter conditions. Amster's appointment now heads to the City Council for confirmation, where she is expected to face pointed questions and testimony from shelter staff, volunteers, and animal welfare groups.

  • In 2024, former general manager Staycee Dains resigned, and Annette Ramirez has been serving as interim.
  • Mayor Karen Bass appointed Gabrielle Amster as the new general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services on April 18, 2026.

The players

Gabrielle Amster

A veteran animal welfare executive who has been appointed as the new general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services. She previously served as director of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace and executive director of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who appointed Gabrielle Amster to lead the city's animal services department.

Staycee Dains

The former general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services who resigned in 2024.

Annette Ramirez

The interim general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services since Staycee Dains' resignation in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“Gabrielle Amster has spent nearly two decades advancing innovative approaches in animal welfare and will bring steady leadership to this department.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles

“I look forward to providing the highest standard of care for the animals under the city's watch.”

— Gabrielle Amster

What’s next

Amster's appointment now moves to the City Council, where confirmation hearings are expected to feature pointed questions and testimony from shelter staff, volunteers, and animal welfare groups.

The takeaway

Amster's appointment to lead Los Angeles Animal Services comes at a critical time, as the department faces significant challenges, including overcrowding, high euthanasia rates, and poor conditions for animals. Her experience in animal welfare and the mayor's public backing have raised hopes among some advocates, but the real test will be whether she can implement measurable changes to improve the system's performance and outcomes for the animals in its care.