LA County Board

6. Proclaiming April 11, 2025 as “National Pet Day” and “Therapy Dog\nAppreciation Day” in Los Angeles County: Recognizing the Positive\nImpact of Pets on Mental Health\nRecommendation as submitted by Supervisor Solis: Proclaim April 11, 2025 as\n“National Pet Day” and “Therapy Dog Appreciation Day” throughout Los\nAngeles County; instruct the Director of Mental Health to commemorate both\nNational Pet Day and National Therapy Dog Appreciation Day and the positive\nimpacts of pets on mental health by promoting the benefits of pets on mental\nhealth via social media, newsletter, and any other mediums available to the\nDepartment of Mental Health (DMH), including prescheduled in-person events\nas applicable in the days leading up to and following April 11, 2025, and\nincluding the Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) in at least one\nMay is Mental Health Month event in each Supervisorial District where they\nwould provide on-site adoptions and promote this adoption opportunity broadly;\nand take the following actions:\nInstruct the Director of Animal Care and Control to commemorate both\nNational Pet Day and National Therapy Dog Appreciation Day by doing\nthe following:\nUplifting the positive impact of pets on mental health via sharing\ncontent created by DMH that recognizes the benefits of pets on\nmental health via all avenues of external communication available\nto the Department, including animal care center specific social\nmedia;\nProviding a discounted adoption promotion for pets 35 pounds and\nover in the weeks leading up to April 11, 2025 and the weeks\nfollowing, as found feasible by DACC, additionally, provide a\npromotion for pets adopted at May is Mental Health Month events;\nElevate awareness about Backyard Breeding Policies, Pets Are\nFamily Program, Pet Pantry service at Animal Care Centers,\nspay/neuter programs, and other pet ownership retainment\nprograms across communication platforms and pre-scheduled\nin-person events for the April 11, 2025 commemoration and at\nDMH Mental Health Month events; and\nDirect the Chief Executive Officer to uplift National Pet Day and National\nTherapy Dog Appreciation Day by promoting the adoption discount\noffered by DACC, and DMH messaging to County staff and to County\ncommunities by posting on social media and all other applicable\ncommunication outlets. (25-1760)