The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday, April 30, approved a proposal to explore a pilot program that aims to boost microchipping among L.A. pet owners.

The vote passed without discussion, and while the action stops short of a mandate, it arrives at a time when the city is weighing significant cuts to its animal services system–including the potential elimination of one-third of Department of Animal Services positions and the closure of three of the city’s six animal shelters including the facility in Chatsworth.

The proposal, introduced last summer by Councilmember Monica Rodriguez and seconded by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, directs the Animal Services Department to create a plan for a one-year pilot program to educate pet owners about microchipping of dogs, cats, rabbits and even horses, and to boost participation.

According to an Animal Services Department report, the pilot program would also include more microchipping events across the city in coordination with Los Angeles County. It could also involve partnerships with local organizations and training city staff to help with microchip implantation and registration.

A year-long trial, the report notes, would allow time to identify funding sources for a potential citywide mandate in the future.

Supporters of the pilot program said it could ultimately help reduce overcrowding at shelters by increasing “return-to-owner” rates.

“If all of these dogs and cats had chips, the owners could be immediately called — and the dog and cat could be returned to them,” said Jeffrey Mausner, co-founder of the Global Anti-Dog Meat Coalition.

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.

But while the microchipping pilot has drawn support from animal advocates, the city’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year has sparked a wave of concern over the future of the city’s shelter system.

In an April 22 letter to the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, Department of Animal Services’ Interim General Manager Annette Ramirez warned that the mayor’s proposed $13.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2025–26 would eliminate 62 employees and 60 vacant positions, roughly one-third of the department’s total staff.

The cuts, she wrote, would force the closure of three of the city’s six animal shelters—Harbor, West Valley, and West Los Angeles—leaving open the South Los Angeles, North Central, and East Valley shelters.

The proposal has drawn public outcry from animal advocates and residents, who have urged city leaders to protect animal services funding and keep all shelters open.

On April 28, Mayor Karen Bass addressed the backlash in a post on social media.

“There has been confusion regarding funding for the Animal Services Department in my proposed budget,” she wrote. “My budget contains funding for the department in two different areas — in the departmental budget but also an additional $5 million in what’s called the ‘Unappropriated Balance.’ Combined, this means all six shelters will be able to stay open.”

Animal advocates say the mayor’s clarification is encouraging, but some still warn that the shelter system remains underfunded and vulnerable.

“That’s really, really great news and assures that none of those shelters are going to have to (be) forced to close,” Naitaki said.

She said that L.A. Animal Services takes in roughly 42,000 animals a year, making it one of the largest shelter systems in the country, but it operates on a relatively modest budget of about $30 million. Even with the $5 million reinstated, she said, it’s not enough to meet the needs.

Others remain cautious.

“Closing three shelters would just be disastrous for the animals,” Mausner said. “Closing even one shelter would be a terrible thing for the animals. So the city should use any unallocated money to make sure that none of these six shelters are closed down.”

He added: “So I think that (microchipping) might help a little bit with shelter overcrowding, but the real thing is the Animal Services Department has to be funded enough to keep all of the six shelters open.”

The City Council is expected to continue reviewing the mayor’s proposed budget in the coming weeks, with a final vote anticipated by early June.