Los Angeles County Supervisors are calling for an investigation into all six county animal shelters after disturbing photos showed up online.
The viral video and photos showed animals in cages that had not been cleaned. That caught the attention of LA County Supervisor Don Knabe who put the issue on Tuesday's agenda.
The video and photos were posted by animal welfare advocate Laura Jones from an organization called "All About Animals."
"The shelters in my view are akin to conditions in a third-world country," she said.
Jones presented a petition with 5,000 signatures at the supervisors meetings, asking for improved conditions LA County shelters.
"These people find it unacceptable for these animals to be wallowing in their own feces," she said.
Jones said she took the photos and video on Aug. 5 when she went inside the Downey shelter to adopt a dog.
"When I entered the shelter the stench was overwhelming," she said.
The supervisors voted to have the county department of animal care and control investigate.
Marcia Mayeda, the director of the county department of animal care and control, said they will report back to supervisors in 15 days with plans to improve the shelters.
"We were very concerned and shocked by the photographs and the video because that's not consistent with our standard," Mayeda said.
Mayeda said a staffing issue is what led to the dirty cages on that day. And added that the substandard kennels are set to be replaced in the fall with stainless steel that is easier to maintain.
"We are now in the process of placing orders and confirming bids," she said.
Jones and other animal activists have suggested LA County shelters look to no kill or low-kill shelters for ways to make improvements.
Best friends Pet Adoption in Mission Hills partners with Los Angeles Animal Services, pulling adoptable animals from city shelters.
While that's helping LA's no-kill movement, Best Friend's Michelle Sathe said what shelters really need is help from the community.
"If you want your shelter to be better get involved -- volunteer, foster, adopt ,donate," Sathe said.
Animal care and control said there were more than 600 animals in the shelter the day Jones visited and that is the problem.
The county shelters don't turn animals away.
