The Los Angeles Police Department does not only rescue people they also rescue animals. This year Voice for the Animals Foundation created a calendar featuring LAPD officers with their own personal rescued animals. On the cover is Commander Andrew Smith, Commanding Officer of Media Relations and Community Affairs Group, with his two furry cats he rescued from Skid Row.
Each month the calendar portrays an officer and a short story on how they rescued their animal. Commander Smith stated while working in the Venice Beach area in the 1990’s, he noticed several abandoned animals around the community that were not being cared for and he decided to do something about it. He joined forces with Melya Kaplan, Executive Director of Voice for the Animals.
Voice for the Animals thought it would be great to collaborate with the Los Angeles Police Department to do a calendar with police officers and their animals.
Commander Smith stated, “It is an honor being selected to appear in the “Rescued by the LAPD” calendar this year. I know so many of the men and women of the LAPD, and each of them has a huge heart. Whenever they come across an animal in need they step up, opening their hearts and homes to these vulnerable animals. It’s a wonderful side of the LAPD that most people never see.
Voice for the Animal has worked in partnership with the Department for decades. They have assisted with rescuing countless animals, training our officers, buying equipment, passing animal related legislation, and making Los Angeles a safer and more humane City for us all.”
Voice for the Animals Foundation is a non-profit charitable foundation. They are devoted to creating respect and empathy for animals through education, rescue, legislation, and advocacy.
The Riordan Foundation provided the funding for the calendar and the proceeds will go back into the Voice for Animals non-profit organization.
Log onto http://www.vftafoundation.org/ to get further information on the calendars and the Voice for Animals Foundation.
What a great story. True, most people don't know or hear about LAPD's compassion towards animals.
Posted by: Cat Love | January 11, 2025 at 10:19 PM