Council confirms Gabriele Amster as Los Angeles Animal Services general manager

The Los Angeles City Council voted on May 27 to confirm Gabriele Amster as general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, a nomination supported by Councilmember B. Blumenfield and adopted by the council in a roll-call vote recorded as 12 ayes.

Blumenfield described the department’s recent budget restorations — including increased spay-and-neuter funding and investments in programs — and said Amster brings experience from nonprofit and municipal leadership, including work with partner organizations and an emphasis on community engagement. “I’m proud to support Gabriele’s nomination,” Blumenfield said before yielding the floor to the nominee.

Amster addressed the council, thanking members for the opportunity and outlining priorities: strengthening trust with stakeholders, accelerating placement of animals from shelters, pursuing philanthropic partnerships and stewarding grant funds from ASPCA and Best Friends. She said the department’s approach would focus on keeping owned pets with their families and moving shelter animals into homes thoughtfully and quickly.

The council voted to confirm the nomination (clerk recorded 12 ayes). No formal amendments were introduced during the confirmation discussion. The council also applauded outgoing interim leadership and congratulated Amster on her appointment.

What happens next: Amster said she will work with staff and stakeholders to implement grant-funded initiatives and to improve shelter operations; the department will coordinate with the mayor’s office and grant partners on resource deployment.