Quality of Life
Ensure that your shelter's long-term
residents remain happy and healthy.
Transcript from a No More
Homeless Pets forum.

Francis Battista, Director of L.A. Programs

Francis Battista is one of the founders and directors of Best Friends Animal Society.  Francis oversees Best Friends programs in southern California, including the Best Friends Brigade, the Animal Helpline, the Catnippers spay/neuter program for feral cats, shelter relations, celebrity events and Pet Adoption Festivals for local animals.  Best Friends' adoption festivals in Los Angeles are the nation's largest adoptathons, finding homes for as many as 550 homeless pets in a single day.

Francis' work in Los Angeles alongside his wife, Silva, has brought Best Friends to the attention of the entertainment industry, which has very generously supported the society's work with public service announcements, public appearances, campaign support and promotions to help homeless pets.

Francis was part of the team of founders that developed the animal care protocols that are the foundation of all of Best Friends' outreach work.  He also writes a regular column for Best Friends magazine.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Francis devoted six months to the rescue effort.  He spent four months on the ground in the Gulf Coast region helping to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home lost and abandoned pets.

Francis was born in New York City and attended New York University and the State University of New York at Albany, where he studied engineering.  Prior to his involvement with Best Friends, he worked in his father's business in suburban New York.  He has been active in social and animal causes since 1970.