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Animal shelters get makeover; public can adopt at no charge

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Bernie and Ed Massey, two of Los Angeles County’s most celebrated public artists, will present their latest project tomorrow at the Agoura Animal Care Center. What is of interest locally, however, is that the Massey brothers joined recently with thousands of southland youth to help in an artistic makeover of each of the seven county animal care centers, including those in Carson and Downey.

The pair said they embarked on this artistic mission to bring attention to the tens of thousands of dogs, cats and other pets who need homes. They want to encourage more people to visit animal shelters and possibly adopt some furry friends in need of a home.

Related to the Massey Brothers art campaign is the news that all adoption fees at four animal care centers will be waived from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 4-6. These centers include the South Los Angeles Shelter, 1850 W. 60th St.; Harbor Shelter, 957 Gaffey St., San Pedro; North Central Shelter, 3201 Lacy St., Los Angeles, and the East Valley Shelter, 14409 Vanowen St., Van Nuys. The four facilities house about 652 dogs and 457 cats, each vaccinated, which may be adopted for free. The new pet owner must pay for licensing.

Los Angeles residents Erica Brunson and Margie Perenchio, each a member of the Humane Society of the United States, have helped to present similar no-cost adoption events across the country as more than 2.4 million healthy, adaptable pets are euthanized–about one every 13 seconds–each year nationwide. Brunson and Perenchio said removing adoption fees can help to increase the number and speed of pet adoptions.

Cathy Kangas, founder and CEO of PRAI Beauty, has helped to organize the national “Free the Shelters” program and, since May, they’ve helped more than 650 animals get adopted at 10 shelters across the country.

“Erika Brunson and Margie Perenchio are amazing women and good friends who share my belief that waiving adoption fees at shelters will solve the problem of homeless animals,” Kangas said. “Shelters should be short-term foster homes rather than a long-term jail sentence for companion animals. Thanks to the generosity of Erika and Margie, many cats and dogs languishing in LA shelters will find a home.”

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