Michelson Found Animals Celebrates Victories and Gears Up for the Future!

This month, we are celebrating the incredible achievements of our founders, Dr. Gary K. Michelson and Alya Michelson, who were honored by CAMP and Los Angeles’ Mayor Karen Bass. We also marked the end of our impactful Michelson Institute for Pet Professions (MIPP) program and continued making strides in pet-inclusive housing. Our Better Neighbor Project team remained busy, hosting pet wellness events and partnering with local organizations to support pets and their families. As we look ahead, we invite you to join us in our mission to keep people and pets together.

Don't miss out! We encourage you to read through the full newsletter for even more details and inspiring stories. Thank you for being a part of our mission!

Michelson Found Animals’ Founders Honored by CAMP at 2024 Gala

MFA is incredibly grateful to be recognized by our friends and partners, Community Animal Medicine Project (CAMP), and the Honorable Mayor Karen Bass for our dedication to reducing pet overpopulation and improving animals’ lives.

On October 23, our founders, Dr. Gary K. Michelson and Alya Michelson, and the visionary Robert and Erika Brunson Fund received the prestigious Pioneer Award at CAMP’s Pet Gala. From Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass:

“Thank you to the Community Animal Medicine Project and Dr. Michelson for your work to support veterinary services and to help make them affordable and accessible to pets in Los Angeles. With a national overcrowding crisis across the country, Los Angeles Animal Services has been working with urgency to prioritize the safety of animals in the City’s care while protecting the public and the dedicated staff and volunteers who work in the shelters. This urgent work to develop and implement the most effective policies will continue in partnership with local and national animal welfare organizations as LA Animal Services continues to save lives and prioritize safety.”

Click here to watch our special tribute video from the gala to learn more about their extraordinary contributions.

Read more about the gala's success and our collaboration with CAMP via KTLA News here.?

The Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative Connects with National Advocates: Keeping People and Pets Together!

The Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative (PIHI) had a jam-packed October, spreading awareness and sharing valuable resources across the U.S. They participated in Evanston, Illinois’ animal welfare board discussion and presented on critical issues surrounding pet restrictions in housing on a powerful webinar with Don't Forget The Pets supported by RedRover and Greater Good Charities titled "Mind the Housing Gap."?

Watch the webinar here and read about the roundtable discussion via the Evanston Roundtable here.

MFA Closes Chapter on Pet Care Career Program

MFA is honoring a successful 3.5-year run of the Michelson Institute for Pet Professions (MIPP). This program provided career training and support to over 150 students facing a variety of challenges, empowering them to launch careers in pet grooming.

While we announce the conclusion of the MIPP program, our commitment to pet care support continues. We're grateful to all our partners, staff, and students who continue to make MIPP a success! We'll continue exploring new initiatives to empower individuals and improve the lives of pets and their families.

For our full statement, click here.

Navigate the Future of Animal Welfare with Us!

Join MFA and NAVC for COMPASS, a groundbreaking conference designed to empower and look toward the future for animal health and pet care professionals. The program overview has been officially launched; explore our exciting core sessions here.?

Registration prices increase in one month, so lock in the lowest rate and join us in Washington, D.C., next April 10-11, 2025!

Click here to learn more and register.

Uniting Communities, One Paw at a Time

October was a month filled with compassion and community thanks to our incredible Better Neighbor Project team. From providing essential care to pets in need to supporting local initiatives, our team has made a significant difference in the lives of countless animals. Highlights from the month include:??

• Pet Wellness Day with the LA Mission - We partnered for a successful event in which we provided 125 pet kits, 87 microchips, 155 bags of pet food, 80 pet beds, and 31 spay/neuter surgeries. Watch our recap video here to learn more and see some very cute and grateful pet families.?
• Adopt a Shelter Dog Month - BNP partnered with the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control and LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis to encourage pet adoption and provide essential resources. Looking for a furry new addition to your family? Check out many deserving adoptable animals here.
• Cool Cat Collective Wellness Clinic—BNP joined forces with Helen Sanders CatPAWS, Hectic Paws, and TippedEars to provide 32 cats with free veterinary care, including vaccines, microchips, and spay/neuter surgeries.?
• Race for the Rescues - BNP proudly sponsored this event to support animal rescue organizations where $380,554 was raised to support local grassroots animal welfare organizations.?
• Celebrating Vet Tech Week - We spotlighted our longtime BNP partner, Hilda Medina, for her dedication to animal welfare and her work at CAMP and Hectic Paws. Read more here to learn more about Hilda and the importance of vet techs, the need for more training, and how we're supporting the next generation of these incredible professionals.

Thank you to our incredible community of BNP partners, volunteers, and staff!

To learn more about the Better Neighbor Project, visit betterneighborla.org.

Upcoming Events

Pet Wellness Day

November 9 l In Person l Encino, CA

The Better Neighbor Project returns with our next Pet Wellness Day on Saturday, November 9, from 9am-1pm at Balboa Sports Center in Encino, CA! In partnership with Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and Councilmember Imelda Padilla, this event is open to the public, with APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED for services requested in advance.

The appointment-based services are for wellness (i.e., microchips, vaccinations, flea treatment) and hygiene (i.e. teeth brushing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning). Other pet resources and supplies (i.e engraved ID tags, collars, leashes, etc.) and resources for pet owners will also be available to all.

To make an appointment, click here. Keep in mind slots are limited.?

Camp Maddie - Pet-Inclusive Housing Edition

November 13 l Virtual?

Join Found Animals’ Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative; My Dog is My Home, My Pitbull is Family, and HEART LA for a crucial conversation about keeping families together!

Camp Maddie: Pet-Inclusive Housing Edition is a FREE virtual event happening on Wednesday, November 13th, from 9 am to 1pm PT (12pm to 4pm ET), supported by our magnificent partner Maddie's Fund.

This event is perfect for anyone passionate about keeping people and pets together. Whether you're a tenant advocate, housing provider, animal welfare professional, or simply someone who believes pets are family, Camp Maddie is for you!

Click here to learn more and register.

Le Chic Chat Soiree - Cat Paws Fundraiser & Gala

November 23 l In Person l Cypress, CA

Helen Sanders CatPAWS’ third annual Soiree takes place Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the beautiful Navy Golf Course Ballroom in Cypress, CA. Beginning at 5pm, you will enjoy hosted cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with opportunities to bid on amazing auction items. A delicious buffet dinner will be served, followed by highlights of their work and an appearance by a very special guest. Lively interactive entertainment and bidding will ensue before we salute our most important stakeholders, you, our guests, who make it all possible.

MFA is a proud sponsor of this event. With your support, we can continue saving at-risk cats and kittens and reducing the tragedy of unwanted litters through Cat Paws spay/neuter clinics. We hope you join us!

View event details and ticket options here.