Find the Right LA Animal Shelter Before You Drive
“LA Animal Shelter” usually means LA Animal Services, the City of Los Angeles shelter system with six Animal Services Centers for adoption, lost pets, found pets, licensing, fostering, pet support, surrender alternatives, animal cruelty reports and animal-service help.
This guide brings the important official details into one practical page: locations, hours, phone number, adoption fees, what adoption includes, lost-pet search steps, found-pet reporting, rehoming options, pet food help, spay/neuter notes and the City vs County shelter confusion that causes many wrong trips.
Official LA Animal Services Action Links
Use this article to understand the process. Use the official links below when you need live pet listings, live shelter location data, current event pricing, City forms, or final action.
Six LA Animal Services Centers: Address, Use and Trip Planning
Do not choose a center only by distance. If you found a specific pet online, visit the center shown on that pet listing. If you lost a pet, search all six centers and be ready to visit in person because photos and descriptions can be imperfect.
| Center | Official address | Phone | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Valley | 14409 Vanowen St., Van Nuys, CA 91405 | 888-452-7381 | Valley-area adoptions, lost-pet checks, found-pet routing and animal-service questions. |
| Harbor | 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90731 | 888-452-7381 | Harbor and San Pedro-area shelter visits, adoptions and lost/found pet checks. |
| North Central | 3201 Lacy St., Los Angeles, CA 90031 | 888-452-7381 | Central and northeast LA visits, pet searches, reclaims and adoption questions. |
| West Valley | 20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth, CA 91311 | 888-452-7381 | Northwest Valley adoption, lost-pet search and pet support visits. |
| West Los Angeles | 11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 | 888-452-7381 | Westside and West LA shelter visits, pet searches and adoption planning. |
| Chesterfield Square / South LA | 1850 W. 60th St., Los Angeles, CA 90047 | 888-452-7381 | South LA shelter visits, adoption searches, reclaim checks and community support. |
LA Animal Shelter Hours and Best Time to Visit
The official adoption page says the six LA Animal Services Centers are open without appointments Tuesday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday/Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Centers are closed Mondays and City-observed holidays.
| Day | Listed public hours | Best use | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Search pets online, prepare documents, check center locations and make a plan. | Do not assume staff can process public visits. |
| Tuesday–Friday | 8am–5pm | Adoptions, reclaims, pet searches, staff questions and paperwork. | Arrive early enough to meet pets and finish forms before closing. |
| Saturday–Sunday | 11am–5pm | Weekend adoption and family visits. | Expect more visitors; screenshot listings before leaving home. |
| City holidays | Closed or changed | Check official updates before driving. | Holiday adoption events can change hours or fees. |
City of LA vs Los Angeles County Animal Shelter: Do Not Mix Them Up
This is one of the biggest LA shelter mistakes. LA Animal Services is the City of Los Angeles shelter system. Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control is a separate county system with different care centers, service areas, phone routes and policies.
Use LA Animal Services when…
- The address is inside the City of Los Angeles service area.
- The pet listing is on the LA Animal Services pet search.
- The animal is located at East Valley, Harbor, North Central, West Valley, West LA, or Chesterfield Square / South LA.
- You need LA city adoption, licensing, lost/found, field services or pet support information.
Check another agency when…
- The pet was found outside City of Los Angeles limits.
- The listing shows a Los Angeles County Animal Care Center.
- The city is an incorporated city with its own animal-control contract.
- You are searching by ZIP code and the nearest shelter is not necessarily the responsible agency.
How to Adopt from LA Animal Services
Adoption is not only about picking a cute photo. A good LA Animal Services visit starts with the official pet search, the correct center, required ID, household readiness, safe transport and practical questions about the first two weeks.
Search official pets first
Use the official pet search and filter by species, center, size, sex and other available options. Save the animal ID, name, center and photo.
Confirm the right center
LA has six city centers. A pet at Harbor is not a West LA visit. Check the listing location before driving.
Bring government-issued photo ID
LA Animal Services requires government-issued identification with your name and photo for adoption, such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport.
Prepare payment
The official adoption page says centers accept cash, check or credit card, and the credit card name should match the photo ID.
Ask match-quality questions
Ask about age, size, behavior, kennel stress, medical notes, spay/neuter timing, vaccines, microchip, children, resident pets and the safest first week.
Plan the ride home
Bring a carrier for cats, kittens, rabbits and small pets. For dogs, bring a leash, collar, harness or crate plan. Do not transport a new pet loose in the car.
LA Animal Services Adoption Fees and What They Include
Regular adoption fees are listed below, but LA Animal Services also runs special programs and temporary fee promotions. Always verify current pricing on the official page or at the center before payment.
| Animal type | Regular listed fee | Included / important note | Ask before you adopt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult dogs, 4 months and older | $102 / $122 with license for City residents | Adoption includes vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchip and first-year dog license for LA City residents where applicable. | Is the dog already altered, and what behavior or medical notes are available? |
| Puppies, under 4 months | $150 | Puppies may need booster vaccines, training, safe socialization and more first-month care. | What vaccine schedule and spay/neuter timing should I follow? |
| Adult cats, 4 months and older | $25 | Cats are adopted with listed medical services and microchip where needed. | Is the cat shy, social, bonded, in foster, or better for a quiet home? |
| Kittens, under 4 months | $50 | Kittens may need booster care, safe indoor setup and slow introductions. | What feeding, vaccine and isolation guidance should I follow? |
| Rabbits | $71 | Rabbits are automatically spayed/neutered prior to adoption. | What enclosure, diet, handling and rabbit-savvy vet needs should I plan for? |
| Small critters | $17 | Includes animals such as guinea pigs, hamsters, chickens, roosters, turtles, rats, mice, reptiles and more. | What housing, temperature, diet and handling rules apply to this species? |
10 Days or More
LA Animal Services lists discounted rates to help animals who have waited longer find homes.
Best Buddies
Some animals bond in the shelter. Ask whether a pair should be adopted together instead of separated.
Seniors / Disabled Discounts
The adoption page notes discounted licenses, including a $10 license fee for qualifying seniors and disabled individuals.
Spay/Neuter, Microchip, Vaccines and Health Details Official Pages Mention
This is where many thin articles fail. Adoption includes services, but the official adoption page also explains important limitations, follow-up care and first-two-week precautions.
Spay and neuter policy
- Dogs and cats eight weeks of age or older adopted from the City will be surgically sterilized before release to the new owner or guardian.
- Rabbits are automatically spayed or neutered before adoption.
- A private California-licensed veterinarian performs the surgery.
- The veterinarian may contact you with instructions if an animal is not fit for surgery at that time.
- Extra surgery-related concerns can involve heat, pregnancy, obesity, retained testicles, geriatric patients or other medical issues.
Microchip and vaccines
- Cats, dogs and rabbits adopted from LA Animal Services that do not already have a microchip will be implanted with one.
- The official page describes microchipping as included in the adoption fee with a non-refundable $15 microchip cost.
- Puppies and dogs receive DHLP-Parvo and Bordetella vaccines.
- Kittens and cats receive the first FVRCP vaccination.
- Dogs four months and older and cats three months and older receive rabies vaccine notes; proof of rabies vaccination is required to license a dog.
Parasites and first vet check
Puppies and kittens are automatically dewormed at the shelter for roundworms and hookworms, while older animals are dewormed as needed. The official page advises adopters to take a stool sample to their veterinarian for fecal exam and parasite-control planning.
Free SCVMA exam note
The official adoption page says Southern California Veterinary Medical Association offers a free medical exam within three working days from the date of adoption for dogs and cats, but only the examination is free; additional treatment costs are the adopter’s responsibility.
Lost Pet in Los Angeles: What LA Animal Services Says to Do
If your pet is missing, act fast and search more than one channel. LA Animal Services participates in the LA Lost Pet Coalition and points users to Petco Love Lost, PawBoost, Facebook/Nextdoor-style neighborhood sharing, 24Petconnect registration and in-person shelter checks.
Search the official lost-pet listings
Use the LA Animal Services lost pet search and check dogs, cats and other animals found by the public and in the six centers.
Visit in person when there is a possible match
The official page warns that scared dogs or cats may not photograph well and recommends visiting and looking for yourself.
Check hospital and isolation areas
Do not look only at regular kennel areas. Ask about hospital ward and isolation areas if your pet could be injured, sick or recently admitted.
Register with 24Petconnect
LA Animal Services says you can register missing dogs, cats or other animals with the lost pet registration service; automatic emails are sent once per day and registration is valid for 30 days.
Use Petco Love Lost and PawBoost
Petco Love Lost uses facial-recognition technology, while PawBoost and neighborhood platforms can spread a found/lost notice quickly.
Watch for recovery scams
LA Animal Services warns about people demanding money in advance. Ask for a photo proving they have your pet before sending anything.
Found a Pet in Los Angeles: Shelter-at-Home and Reporting Steps
LA Animal Services says a lost pet does not immediately need to be taken to a shelter. If it is safe and legal for you to help temporarily, Shelter-at-Home can prevent stress and create a faster reunion.
Search Petco Love Lost
Register the found pet on Petco Love Lost so facial-recognition search can help match the animal with a missing-pet report.
Use neighborhood alerts
Report the found pet on PawBoost and share a photo and description in local neighborhood groups, Facebook lost/found pages and Nextdoor.
Shelter-at-Home
If safe, temporarily caring for the pet can reduce shelter stress and give the guardian time to see your report.
Surrender or Rehoming: Official Alternatives Before Bringing a Pet In
LA Animal Services asks pet owners to consider alternatives before surrender because the six City shelters can be at maximum capacity. The official surrender/rehoming page points to solutions that may keep pets with families or move them directly into another home.
Home to Home
Home to Home gives City of Los Angeles residents a way to find a new home without surrendering the pet to a shelter, allowing direct communication between current and potential new guardians.
Pet Food Pantry
If food cost is the issue, LA Animal Services provides pet food pantry support for low-income families and individuals in the City of Los Angeles experiencing financial hardship.
Resource guides
Ask about resource guides, intervention groups, pet-retention help and safe rehoming support before surrendering a pet.
Food Pantry, Volunteering, Donations and Wish Lists
Helping LA Animal Services is not limited to adoption. Official pages mention volunteering, pet food pantry help, wish lists, donations, center-specific supplies and support for shelter pets, staff, volunteers and animal control officers.
Pet Food Pantry
The food pantry assists low-income City of Los Angeles families and individuals facing financial hardship who need help feeding companion animals. Official text says one-gallon bags of dog or cat food are provided per pet, with household limits listed by the program.
Volunteer roles
Official volunteer information mentions help with animals, the public, staff, on-site/off-site adoption events, kennels, greeting customers, photography, videography, playgroups, grooming, humane education, marketing and office tasks.
Wish list items
Items always needed include martingale collars, leashes, collars, towels, blankets, peanut butter, large/XL Kongs, kitten food, bowls, litter pans, treats, toys, small-animal supplies, hay, scratching posts, baby wipes, training pads and heating pads.
LA Animal Licenses and City Pet Rules
LA Animal Services says dogs and horses are required to be licensed in the City of Los Angeles. License tags help identify guardians of lost animals because the tag number connects back to the registered guardian.
Why licensing matters
- A license tag has a unique number assigned to the animal.
- If someone finds an animal with a tag, they can call the number printed on the tag for guardian identification.
- If a licensed animal is lost or taken to a shelter, the Department can identify and contact the registered guardian.
- Adopted dogs may include first-year license fee for City of LA residents where applicable.
Spay/neuter city law note
The official spay/neuter page says Los Angeles City law requires cats and dogs over four months old to be spayed or neutered, with specific exemptions allowed. It also notes sterilization coupon/certificate programs for dogs, cats and rabbits for eligible households.
Community Cats, Kittens and the Citywide Cat Program
Los Angeles has a large community-cat issue. LA Animal Services says there are an estimated 960,000 unowned community cats in the City of Los Angeles, and the Citywide Cat Program is intended to help stabilize and reduce community-cat populations.
Community cats
Do not assume every outdoor cat is lost or abandoned. Community cats may be free-roaming, and local rules or trapping permits may apply.
Found kittens
Young kittens may have a mother nearby. Use official kitten-season guidance before moving healthy kittens unless they are in immediate danger.
Spay/neuter link
For community/free-roaming cats, use the Citywide Cat Program route rather than assuming the regular pet sterilization coupon process applies.
LA Animal Shelter Map and Direction Planning
Use this map for broad route planning, then use the official shelter locator for the exact Animal Services Center and current details.
Confirm the pet ID, center, hours, fee, adoption promotion and transport plan.
Bring photo ID, payment, animal ID, screenshots, proof of ownership if reclaiming, and a carrier or leash plan.
Confirm vaccines, microchip, license, spay/neuter, first vet exam, isolation guidance and first-week care.
Official LA Animal Services Video Channel
LA Animal Services maintains an official YouTube channel. Because this page is intended to stay Google-safe, a VideoObject schema is not added here unless a single exact video title, upload date, thumbnail URL and embed URL are verified. Use the channel feed below for official LA Animal Services video updates.
LA Animal Shelter Action Planner
Use this simple planner to decide what to do before you call, drive, adopt, search for a lost pet, report a found pet, or ask for surrender alternatives.
Select your situation and create a focused next-step list. This tool runs in your browser and does not send information anywhere.
Call and Message Scripts for LA Animal Services
Short, specific messages help staff route your issue faster. Copy and customize the version that fits your situation.
Adoption script
Hi, I’m interested in animal ID [ID] named [name], listed at [center]. Is this pet still available, and what should I bring for an adoption visit today?
Lost pet script
Hi, I lost my [dog/cat] near [cross streets] on [date]. The pet is [description], microchip/license tag [number if known]. Do you have a matching animal at any LA Animal Services Center?
Found pet script
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] near [location]. The pet is [description]. I can temporarily Shelter-at-Home / I cannot safely hold the pet. What reporting step should I complete first?
Surrender alternative script
Hi, I need help keeping or safely rehoming my [dog/cat]. The issue is [housing/food/medical/behavior]. Can you direct me to Home to Home, pet food pantry or other resources before surrender?
Common LA Shelter Mistakes to Avoid
Going to the wrong agency
City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County are different systems. Use pet location, found address or animal ID to choose the right agency.
Arriving without the animal ID
Staff can help faster when you bring the exact animal ID, center name and screenshot from the official pet search.
Skipping the hospital/isolation check
For lost pets, LA Animal Services recommends checking hospital ward and isolation areas, not only regular kennel areas.
Ignoring the first two weeks
A newly adopted dog or cat should avoid public places and other animals for up to two weeks because of incubation and transition concerns.
LA Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main LA Animal Services phone number?
The main LA Animal Services phone number is 888-452-7381.
How many LA Animal Services shelters are there?
There are six City of Los Angeles Animal Services Centers: East Valley, Harbor, North Central, West Valley, West Los Angeles, and Chesterfield Square / South LA.
What are LA Animal Services adoption hours?
The official adoption page lists Tuesday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday/Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Centers are closed Mondays and City-observed holidays.
Do I need an appointment to adopt from LA Animal Services?
The official adoption page says the six centers are open without appointments during listed public hours. Still, check pet availability and center location before driving.
What ID do I need to adopt a pet?
LA Animal Services requires government-issued identification with your name and photo, such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport.
What are LA Animal Services regular adoption fees?
Regular listed fees include adult dogs $102 or $122 with license for City residents, puppies $150, adult cats $25, kittens $50, rabbits $71 and small critters $17. Promotions can change prices.
What is included with adoption?
Adoption fees include vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, microchipping for dogs, cats and rabbits, and for City of LA residents, the first-year dog license fee where applicable.
What should I do if my pet is lost in Los Angeles?
Search the LA Animal Services lost-pet tools, register the pet with 24Petconnect, use Petco Love Lost and PawBoost, visit shelters in person for possible matches, and bring proof of ownership.
What should I do if I found a pet in Los Angeles?
Register the found pet on Petco Love Lost, report through PawBoost and neighborhood channels, consider Shelter-at-Home if safe, and call 888-452-7381 for dangerous, loose or cruelty-related issues.
Is LA Animal Services the same as Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control?
No. LA Animal Services is the City of Los Angeles system. Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control is separate and may serve different addresses and communities.
Can I surrender a pet to LA Animal Services?
LA Animal Services encourages alternatives first, including Home to Home, pet food pantry, resource guides and intervention support, because shelter space can be limited.
Does LA Animal Services help with pet food?
Yes. The Pet Food Pantry assists low-income City of Los Angeles families and individuals experiencing financial hardship who need help feeding animal companions.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.