LOS ANGELES -- The number of cats and dogs adopted from city-run animal shelters in Los Angeles increased 21 percent in 2008 compared to the previous year, Animal Services officials announced Wednesday.
More than 26,000 cats and dogs were adopted last year, compared to about 22,000 in 2007. City shelters took in 20 percent more animals last year, a trend that officials attributed to housing foreclosures.
"We had an amazing year in 2008 and set a record number of adoptions. L.A. Animal Services' staff and volunteers deserve much recognition for their hard work and efforts to find homes for the thousands and thousands of animals that enter into our shelter system every year," said Ed Boks, general manager of the department.
Last month, Animal Services had 2,212 pet adoptions -- the highest number ever for a single month. Boks said that figure was the result of two anonymous donations that funded hundreds of adoptions.
