06/17/2025
Meet Lobo.
His family brought him to the South LA Shelter to be euthanized—not because they didn’t love him, but because they thought it was the responsible thing to do. He was getting older, had slowed down, and after a minor incident where a family member was nipped on the ear, they feared he might be declining fast.
But instead of accepting the surrender, South LA Shelter staff referred the family to our DDR social worker, Jackie. She listened—really listened—and helped them unpack their fears. Together, they realized Lobo wasn’t aggressive or at the end of his life. He was just aging and likely in pain.
Thanks to a generous donor, DDR covered $260.10 for an exam, bloodwork, and pain medication at our partner hospital, Los Angeles Veterinary Center. Jackie also gave the family high-quality food and connected them to our pet food bank.
Lobo stayed with his family, where he belongs.
Let’s stop talking about “responsible pet ownership” like it’s a fixed label. It’s not. It's a process that requires access to resources, information, and empathy. That’s what made the difference for Lobo.
