LOS ANGELES — Beverly Mitchell put in long days helping dogs and cats as a volunteer at the Los Angeles city animal shelter in Lincoln Heights. Trusted by staff, Mitchell was even given keys to medical rooms that were off-limits to other volunteers so she could check on the animals.
But Mitchell’s three-year service with the city ended when she was fired in 2016. Today, she and the former head of the Animal Services department disagree on the reasons for her dismissal.
The city relies on an army of unpaid volunteers to care for animals — feeding and walking them, handling adoptions and other tasks. But unlike city employees, who have the support of their union, volunteers often have few resources if they are suspended or fired.
