News & Events

Michelson Found Animals’ Founders Honored by CAMP Clinics at 2024 Gala

By Michelson Found Animals

From left to right: Michelson Found Animals CEO Brett Yates, CAMP Clinics Director of Development & Communications Ari Vena, Mayor Karen Bass, Michelson Found Animals Founders & Co-Chairs Gary & Alya Michelson, CAMP Clinics Executive Director Zoey Knittel

Michelson Found Animals (MFA) is deeply honored to be recognized by our esteemed partners, the Community Animal Medicine Project (CAMP), at their 2024 gala on October 23, 2024.

Founders and co-chairs Dr. Gary K Michelson and Alya Michelson received the Pioneer Award alongside the incredible Robert and Erika Brunson Fund, whose legacy continues to inspire us.

A Night of Recognition and Shared Commitment

The evening was a wonderful celebration of animal welfare champions, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in attendance. We are grateful for Mayor Bass’s unwavering support of animal welfare initiatives in Los Angeles. CAMP raised nearly $150,000 towards its $600,000 fundraising goal at its inaugural Pet Gala to support the development of a new state-of-the-art veterinary clinic in South Los Angeles that will provide low-cost and high-quality veterinary services to over 20,000 dogs and cats annually. CAMP, Southern California’s largest non-profit veterinary organization operates four clinics in South Los Angeles, San Pedro, and Mission Hills, plus two mobile clinics to reach historically excluded communities in Los Angeles.

“Thank you to Community Animal Medicine Project and Dr. Michelson for your work to support veterinary services and to help make them affordable and accessible to pets in Los Angeles.” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “With a national overcrowding crisis across the country, Los Angeles Animal Services has been working with urgency to prioritize the safety of animals in the City’s care while protecting the public and the dedicated staff and volunteers who work in the shelters. This urgent work to develop and implement the most effective policies will continue in partnership with local and national animal welfare organizations as LA Animal Services continues to save lives and prioritize safety.”

Honoring the Robert and Erika Brunson Legacy

The Robert and Erika Brunson Fund (REBF), managed by MFA, represents the lifetime dedication of a truly remarkable couple. Erika, a trailblazer in animal welfare, served as a commissioner on the Los Angeles Board of Animal Regulation and founded the Coalition for Pets & Public Safety. Together with Robert, they championed numerous life-saving efforts, including SPAY4LA, a mobile clinic providing accessible spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations in Los Angeles.

MFA continues the Brunsons legacy through the Spay and Neuter Initiative, which, in partnership with REBF, provides grants to innovative, scalable organizations and programs that will advance spay-neuter capacities in Los Angeles and beyond.

“It’s an honor to congratulate Dr. Gary K. Michelson, Alya Michelson, and the Robert and Erika Brunson Fund on this well-deserved recognition from CAMP Clinics. Their unwavering dedication to animal welfare has inspired countless others, and their legacy will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of pets and their families for generations to come. I’m proud to work alongside such incredible organizations like CAMP Clinics, who are doing vital work to ensure all animals have access to the care they need.” – Brett Yates, CEO, MFA

A Shared Vision with CAMP Clinics

MFA has a deep and long-standing partnership with CAMP Clinics. Our shared commitment to reducing pet overpopulation and ensuring the well-being of animals in our communities is the foundation of this powerful collaboration. This year CAMP reached a milestone of spaying and neutering 300,000 cats and dogs since their opening in 2007.

We are particularly grateful for CAMP’s recognition of our recent $1 million grant, awarded on World Spay Day 2024. This historic contribution will support the construction of CAMP’s new South Los Angeles clinic, further expanding their capacity to provide affordable spay/neuter services and essential veterinary care to underserved communities. To learn more about MFA’s historic $1 million grant to CAMP Clinics, click here.

Looking Forward: Investing in a Brighter Future for Pets

MFA remains dedicated to supporting CAMP Clinics in their mission to improve the lives of animals. Together, we believe in a future where every pet has a chance to thrive, and we are committed to working tirelessly to make that vision a reality.

We extend our deepest gratitude to CAMP Clinics for this incredible honor. We are excited to continue working alongside them to create a more compassionate and humane world for all animals and the people who care for them.