After more than a year of search, Los Angeles city’s beleaguered animal agency may finally have a new leader. Mayor Karen Bass announced Friday she’s appointed Gabrielle Amster as the new general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services.
Amster has nearly two decades of experience in the animal welfare sector, the mayor’s office said. Her most recent post was the director of Wallis Annenberg PetSapce. Prior to that, Amster worked at a number of shelters across the country, including Palm Springs.
“During her time at Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, she significantly increased adoptions, improved staff retention, expanded access to spay/neuter and veterinary services and strengthened ties to the broader Los Angeles community,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.
Mayor Bass also applauded Amster for having made lifesaving efforts for animals throughout her career.
“I am confident she will bring steady leadership and a forward-looking vision that strengthens the department and improves services for both animals and the communities that care for them.”
Her appointment will require an approval vote by the LA City Council. It was not immediately clear when the city council will vote on the matter.
The city’s Animal Services has been without a clear leader for nearly two years. Staycee Dains resigned in December 2024 after being on paid leave for three months.
Dains addressed issues related to volunteers during her tenure but still faced overcrowding and other challenges at the department’s six shelters, some have plagued the department long before her arrival.
As of December 2024, the population of dogs at the shelters is 1,175, or 159% over capacity. The shelters are designed to hold at most 737 dogs.