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Prince’s ex-wife has weighed in on Los Angeles’ catastrophic pet crisis, saying she refuses to “turn a blind eye” on the city’s struggling animals.
Mayte Garcia, who was married to the pop superstar from 1996 to 2000, said it is “heartbreaking” that shelters are overflowing and is looking to help.
The 52-year-old, who runs her own animal rescue operation, weighed in during a City Hall event to mark the anniversary of the star’s death.
Los Angeles’ shelters are at maximum capacity as thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized each year because no one will take them on.
Garcia told the California Post: “I’ve heard [about the crisis]. “I want to look into it… that’s really heartbreaking… I’m gonna get behind this too. More needs to be done.”
She added: “Adopt, don’t shop. It’s out of control.”
She revealed it hits close to home as she appeared with her rescue dog Kiwi, who she found abandoned on the streets of Miami in a terrible way.
She said: “She had bloody pus on her paws, it was really, really bad. Now she’s a happy girl.” Los Angeles shelters are beyond capacity — and still filling up.
Animal Services has reported more than 900 dogs in custody at one time, with intake rising and kennels stretched across all six shelters.
Officials have warned that when space runs out, even healthy, adoptable animals can be euthanized.
The most recent complete data shows the consequences. In 2024, 1,224 dogs were euthanized in just nine months, a roughly 70% year-over-year increase, along with more than 1,500 cats.
Since then, the agency has continued issuing overcrowding alerts into 2025, warning that intake is outpacing adoptions and transfers.
Garcia’s organization Mayte’s Rescue grew from a small operation into a multi-state network rehoming dozens of animals each month across the country and world.
April 21 marks the anniversary of the Prince‘s death after he died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2016.
Inside City Hall leaders marked the moment by officially proclaiming it “Prince Day,” while landmarks across the city prepared to glow purple in his honor.
Garcia said: “They proclaimed it to be Prince Day, which is long overdue. The 21st has been a really sad day for us for the last 10 years… I thought it’d be perfect to turn it around and celebrate him.”
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