Blumenfield makes friends with many of the animals at the newly reopened West Valley Animal Shelter
One of the most important responsibilities Blumenfield has as a policymaker is to advocate for those who cannot speak up for themselves. Blumenfield works hard to advocate on behalf of animals, whose cruel treatment often goes unnoticed and unaddressed. From addressing animal cruelty from the fur industry to finding practical ways to deliver more low-cost and free animal veterinary services to pet owners in the West Valley, Blumenfield is strongly committed to fighting for animal welfare in LA. Read below for some of his most crucial measures on addressing animal wellbeing.
Uplifting Animal Services
Fighting Animal Cruelty
In 2019 Councilmember Blumenfield authored the ‘Fur Ban’ ordinance which put Los Angeles in the position as the largest City in the United States to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur. Every year, more than fifty million animals including foxes, chinchillas, minks, raccoons, dogs and rabbits are killed for their fur. In response to Blumenfield’s leadership the State Legislature introduced a bill modeled on his successful fight for animal rights. The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation said of Councilmember Blumenfield, “The passage of the LA Fur Ban led by Councilmember Blumenfield represents a landmark victory when it comes to ethics and compassion."
The fur industry is one that has consistently been associated with inhumane practices. Animals who are cultivated solely for their fur spend their lives in cramped cages, subject to deplorable living conditions. Common practices include gassing, electrocution, suffocation and neck breaking. Electrocuting fur-bearing animals anally and genitally is a slaughter method used frequently in the industry to limit damage to the fur.
As more cities and countries pass restrictive legislation, more companies will stop using fur and alternatives will continue to improve. Considering the wide available alternatives, Blumenfield strongly believes that the demand for fur products does not justify the unnecessary killing and the cruel treatment of fur-bearing animals. Most recently, major fashion companies have made commitments to remove fur from their line of products.
Blumenfield is a proud supporter of offering free and low-cost mobile animal clinics so animals can get spayed, neutered, and receive other critical health services that many low-income families cannot typically afford for their furry companions.
For the past several years, Blumenfield has converted his district office parking lot into a mobile animal clinic and has partnered with animal care nonprofits such as Fix N Fidos, Rescue Train, Little Angels Project and Spay4LA who have all stepped up to make sure pet owners no matter their financial circumstance have access to spay and neuter services. In addition, vaccinations wellness checks, and microchipping have been made available as well as litter boxes, carriers, toys, food and litter.
Councilmember Blumenfield recognizes that an uncontrolled feral animal population causes more suffering to animals and a successful Trap, Neuter, and Release policy can reduce the feral animal population suffering on the streets as well as free up more funds for sustainable animal services. To that end, Blumenfield is spearheading a long-term TNR program that will empower the LA Animal Services department to further its animal welfare mission.
As part of moving the City away from products that test products on animals, Blumenfield led the push to move City departments to purchase only “cruelty-free” office products. This is one step closer to ensuring that supplies used in City facilities are free of animal testing, including but not limited to hand soaps and cleaning solutions. Testing cleaning products on animals is not only based on flawed science, but it is simply despicable and inhumane that major companies in our country treat man's best friend like a science experiment. As folks purchase cleaning products, the companies that produce them are confining and experimenting on millions of animals including dogs, cats, monkeys, rats, mice, rabbits, pigs and horses in steel cages. This motion is an important first step the City is taking to combat these cruel practices.