Local News in Brief : Award for Animal Sterilization Efforts

Mayor Tom Bradley has presented the city’s St. Francis of Assisi Award to Joy Goldschmidt, who organized a campaign that has spayed and neutered thousands of cats and dogs.

“I can’t imagine animals having a better friend than Joy,” said City Councilman Joel Wachs, who nominated the Hollywood Hills resident for the prestigious award.

Goldschmidt was honored for securing more than $800,000 in free billboard advertising for the sterilization campaign. Her husband, Anthony, designed the signs that depicted dogs and cats and were captioned, “We’re dying for your love.”

Robert Rush, general manager of the city Department of Animal Regulation, said the agency has sterilized a record 11,000 animals in the last year, in part because of Goldschmidt’s efforts.

Her Cassidy Foundation has arranged the spaying and neutering of another 3,000 pets.

Bradley, who originated the St. Francis of Assisi Award when he was a councilman in 1971, said the honor goes annually to “those animal lovers who have done the most to advance the cause of all animals in our community.”