Los Angeles is on track to record another increase in the number of animals found dead on city streets, while overcrowded animal shelters continue to face declining adoption rates, KTLA reported.
Data from the first half of 2026 show more than 13,600 dead animals were removed from public streets, exceeding the number recorded during the same period the previous year. Most of these cases involve roadkill, with cats representing the largest share, followed by dogs, raccoons and opossums.
Animal welfare experts suggest that limited access to spay and neuter services is one factor contributing to the problem. Animals that have not been sterilized are generally more likely to roam, increasing their exposure to traffic and other hazards. At the same time, overcrowded shelters are receiving more animals while adoption rates have slowed.
Among additional factors contributing to these challenges are rising veterinary costs, housing instability affecting pet owners and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, many veterinary clinics in the area reduced routine procedures, creating a backlog in spay and neuter surgeries.
In response, Los Angeles has expanded funding for spay and neuter initiatives, including financial assistance programs and mobile veterinary clinics designed to improve access to preventive services.
