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ANIMAL WATCH - A media release was issued this week by a Los Angeles non-profit spay/neuter clinic, “CAMP,” which is reportedly funded primarily by Best Friends Animal Society and the ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). However, it lists its “corporate headquarters” address as “957 North Gaffey Street, San Pedro CA 90731,” which is the tax-funded Los Angeles Animal Services Harbor Animal Shelter, operated by the City.
ONLY ONE PET ABANDONMENT REPORTED
The organization appears to have grossly understated the issue it is pledging to correct—if the stories reported are accurate.
For instance, CAMP’s media release about a small dog, named Ramona, who had been left with relatives when a Nicaragua mother and two daughters were detained by immigration agents, was described as, “the first time the veterinarian had seen a dog come into the clinic in poor condition because of being abandoned by an owner being deported.”
But “abandonment of pets” is the huge problem fundraising campaigns and headlines claim is rampant and needs funding to stop. If that is true, it requires a major investigation by local and national law-enforcement agencies to see why more cases---especially involving deportation -- have not been reported and what has happened to those animals,
WAS “RAMONA” A WORST-CASE SCENARIO?
The report by CAMP noted that while one mother and her daughters were detained by immigration agents during a routine hearing last month, their small dog, Ramona, had been “left with a relative”—not abandoned.
Ramona was described by the vet clinic as “confused, grieving, and in need or urgent medical care. “
Also, there was no indication of whether her health was “neglected” by the owner (who may not have been able to afford veterinary care), or if it had developed after being left with the relative, who described Ramona’s condition as, “She’s not herself. She still eats and drinks, but she’s sad. She misses her girls.”
The article describes that the family was from Nicaragua and seeking asylum in the US and “had spent the last two years complying with every immigration requirement, believing their cooperation might eventually lead to legal status. Instead, they were removed without warning. Ramona was suddenly left in the care of extended family members already facing financial strain.”
While this must have been very disturbing for the dog and the family, it was not “abandonment.”
ICE AGENTS ENFORCING IMMIGRATION LAW IN CA FOR A MONTH
”On June 6, 2025, protests began in Los Angeles after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided several city locations to arrest individuals allegedly involved in illegal immigration to the United States” according to Wikipedia.
Therefore, Ramona could have been separated from her family for almost a month. This does not reduce the trauma of the sudden separation; however, she was described by the relative as sad and missing the girls, but still eating and drinking,” which appears to rule out intentional abuse or neglect – or abandonment -- by the mother and children.
And this was reported as the first known abandonment (of any dog) -- although the clinic’s statement was that abandonments had been reported.
The article continues, “By the time she was brought to the Community Animal Medicine Project, a “hernia on her belly had grown to the size of an orange….and the veterinary team discovered necrotic tissue and feared sepsis.”
STAFF STATED “IT’S THE FIRST TIME DEPORTATION WAS GIVEN AS REASON PET LEFT BEHIND
The article adds that last week surgeons removed the dead tissue, repaired the hernia….and They then took care of her urgent needs and spayed Ramona, and the entire procedure was paid by CAMP’s emergency reserve for “animals in critical need.”
Staff is quoted as saying, “it’s the first time a family has disclosed deportation as the reason a pet was left behind” — but they are certain it won’t be the last!
CAMP SHARES ITS “BIG NEWS”
The announcement then appeared: ”We have big news to share.... SNPLA is now CAMP: Community Animal Medicine Project.
It explained that “CAMP encompasses our vision to provide access to care and the broad range of veterinary services needed by today’s pet owners. Spay and neuter will always remain at the core of our foundation, and we are well on our way to fixing the next quarter million cats and dogs in Los Angeles.” And, of course, this will be done through more fundraising.
Are 501c Funded-Agencies Providing “Animals and Immigration Policies?”
FILING A SUIT AGAINST U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
CAMP then announced, according to the article: “On Wednesday, five workers, three advocacy groups and a legal services provider filed a proposed class-action lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The suit alleges DHS has operated a campaign of "abducting and disappearing" community members through unlawful arrests and detentions in violation of constitutional protections.
“Since June 6, marauding, masked goons have descended upon Los Angeles, terrorizing our brown communities and tearing up the Constitution in the process,” said Mohammad Tajsar, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, which is representing the plaintiffs. “We will hold DHS accountable,” he vowed.
ICE ACCUSED OF DISCRIMINATION
According to the suit, between June 1 and June 10, ICE made 722 arrests in Los Angeles. A Los Angeles Times analysis found that 69% of those individuals had no criminal convictions, and 58% were never charged with a crime. Most were men from Latin America.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis cited DHS data showing that between June 6 and June 22, more than 1,600 individuals were detained or deported in Southern California. Solis alleged the raids disproportionately targeted established immigrant communities, with agents “racially profiling” residents based on appearance, according to the report.
In response, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the allegations “categorically false,” adding that all immigration enforcement operations are “highly targeted,” and that ICE detention conditions exceed those in most U.S. prisons.
Still, organizations on the ground like CAMP claim they are seeing the ripple effects — especially among clients with deep ties to immigrant neighborhoods.
A FRAGILE SYSTEM
CAMP DESCRIBES ITSELF. . . founded in 2007, it is Los Angeles Animal Services’ largest spay/neuter contractor and serves thousands of low-income residents annually. About 90% of the nonprofit’s staff are bilingual, Spanish-speaking professionals — most from the same communities they serve.
“Given how rapidly deportations are unfolding, we’re prioritizing Hazel’s Fund,” a staff member said. “We need to be ready to help the next Ramona,” CAMP writes. (Remember that Ramona was not abandoned, according to CAMPS’ own records.)
A REPORTEDLY DEVELOPING MP CAMP is also expanding its mobile units and telehealth options to reach families reluctant to leave home. At clinics, staff distribute food and pet supplies and discreetly provide “know your rights” materials.
In some cases, they’ve reportedly developed safety protocols for what to do if ICE shows up.”
However, with so much damage and mistrust between political leaders, and animal groups seeking money and power, there is no longer trust at any level and animals have no voice. Are we sure we still want CAMP in the driver’s seat influencing politics?
WHAT HAPPENED TO RAMONA?
Ramona survived her surgery, according to CAMP, but she has not recovered from the loss of her family. Her caregivers say she is visibly depressed — no longer energetic, no longer herself,” the organization states.
The family in Nicaragua continues to ask if there’s any way to bring Ramona to them. The estimated cost to fly her home is around $2,000 — far beyond their reach. For now, they rely on FaceTime calls and updates.
“She has lost her person, her home, her routine — everything that made her feel safe,” her relative said. “She’s family. And we couldn’t leave her behind.”
PUBLIC COMMENT CONTRIBUTOR ASKS THIS FINAL QUESTION OF EVERYONE: (Quoted in part)
“With all that is going on in Los Angeles with all the homeless on the streets that have pets (we see them every day all day) this is your story!
“To every person who came her legally and to every person who pays taxes to subsidize that family (as they can’t work without an SSS Number) with an apartment, SNAP for food, discount on utilities, medical:
“Now we are to feel bad about a dog and surgery. There are millions of legal Americans who cannot pay for their pet’s surgery, and they have to put the pet down or surrender it.
Where are their stories? “
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee, an animal activist and a contributor to CityWatch.)
