LA Animal Shelter Quick Details
What LA Animal Services Does
LA Animal Services is the City of Los Angeles department responsible for animal shelters, pet adoptions, lost and found pets, animal control support, pet licensing, fostering, volunteering, public education, spay/neuter resources, and community pet help across the city.
The system has six Animal Services Centers: West Valley, West Los Angeles, Chesterfield Square / South LA, North Central, Harbor, and East Valley. Instead of one single LA animal shelter, most residents should use the official shelter search tool or choose the center closest to their home, work, or the pet they found.
LA Animal Shelter Locations
LA Animal Services operates six public Animal Services Centers. All centers share the main phone number 888-452-7381, but each center has its own address and service area. Always confirm current hours and pet location before traveling because a pet listed online may be housed at a specific center.
| LA Animal Services Center | Address | Visitor Note |
|---|---|---|
| West Valley | 20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth, CA 91311 | Useful for residents in the northwest Valley area. |
| West Los Angeles | 11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 | Useful for West LA, Westside, and nearby neighborhoods. |
| Chesterfield Square / South LA | 1850 W. 60th St., Los Angeles, CA 90047 | Commonly used for South LA shelter searches. |
| North Central | 3201 Lacy St., Los Angeles, CA 90031 | Serves many central and northeast LA animal service needs. |
| Harbor | 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90731 | Useful for Harbor-area residents and San Pedro searches. |
| East Valley | 14409 Vanowen St., Van Nuys, CA 91405 | Useful for Van Nuys and East Valley shelter needs. |
LA Animal Shelter Hours and Best Time to Visit
The six LA Animal Services Centers are listed as open without appointments Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The centers are closed Mondays and City-observed holidays.
If you are visiting for adoption, lost-pet identification, reclaim help, or foster questions, do not arrive near closing. Shelter visits can take time because you may need to find the correct pet, speak with staff, complete forms, ask medical or behavior questions, pay fees, or arrange safe transport.
LA Animal Services Adoption Fees and Promotions
LA Animal Services frequently runs reduced-fee or waived-fee adoption events. During many public promotions, commonly listed reduced fees include dogs at $51, puppies at $75, cats at $12.50, and kittens at $25. Some promotions waive fees for dogs and cats over four months old, while dog license fees for LA City residents may still apply.
Because adoption pricing changes often with promotions, the safest publishing approach is to show the common fee categories and direct visitors to the official adoption page before visiting. LA Animal Services also notes that adopted pets come spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and licensed for LA City residents when applicable.
| Fee / Service Type | Common Official Reference | What Visitors Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| Reduced dog adoption events | $51 for dogs | Dog license fee for LA City residents may be separate. |
| Reduced puppy adoption events | $75 for puppies | Promotion pricing can change by event. |
| Reduced cat adoption events | $12.50 for cats | Cats may also be fee-waived during some sponsored events. |
| Reduced kitten adoption events | $25 for kittens | Kitten fees may vary during promotions. |
| Dog license for LA City residents | $20 referenced in LAAS event notices | Applies to dogs over four months old when required for LA City residents. |
| Microchip service | $15 referenced by LAAS | Confirm current microchip service availability and pricing before visiting. |
How to Adopt from LA Animal Services
The adoption process starts online. LA Animal Services lets visitors search available pets, then visit the correct shelter during open hours. Because animals may be adopted, transferred, reclaimed, fostered, or moved, visitors should avoid relying on one listing only.
- Search pets online: Use LA Animal Services’ official pet search to view available dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals.
- Check the shelter location: Note which Animal Services Center houses the pet.
- Choose backup options: Popular pets may be adopted quickly, so list a few possible matches.
- Visit during public hours: Go Tuesday through Sunday during listed hours, avoiding the last part of the day when possible.
- Bring valid ID: A photo ID helps with adoption paperwork and verification.
- Ask practical questions: Review medical notes, spay/neuter status, microchip, vaccines, license requirements, and behavior notes.
- Plan transport: Bring a carrier for cats or rabbits and a leash, collar, harness, or crate plan for dogs.
Dog Adoption Notes for LA Visitors
Dog adoption at LA Animal Services should be based on fit, not only appearance. Ask staff about approximate age, size, energy level, medical notes, handling observations, kennel stress, and whether the dog is already spayed or neutered and ready to leave.
Los Angeles has many rental housing situations, so adopters should confirm lease rules before visiting. Check pet deposits, pet rent, breed restrictions, weight limits, number-of-pet limits, and landlord approval. For LA City residents, confirm whether the adopted dog’s license fee applies.
Cat, Kitten, Rabbit, and Other Pet Adoption Notes
LA Animal Services shelters often list cats, kittens, rabbits, and other animals in addition to dogs. For cats and kittens, bring a secure carrier and ask whether the pet is shy, social, bonded, fostered, or better suited for a quiet home. For rabbits or other small animals, ask about enclosure, diet, handling, and veterinary needs.
Promotions can change adoption fees dramatically, so check the official event page before planning around a specific price. Fee-waived events may still require standard adoption approval and applicable licensing or local requirements.
Lost Pets at LA Animal Services
If your pet is missing in Los Angeles, act quickly. Search LA Animal Services listings, check the shelter location tied to any possible match, and visit in person if you believe your pet may be there. Shelter photos may not perfectly match how your pet looks at home, especially if the pet is scared, dirty, recently groomed, or photographed from a poor angle.
Bring proof of ownership if you are trying to reclaim a pet. Useful proof includes recent photos, veterinary records, microchip registration, rabies certificate, license records, unique markings, and your photo ID. If your pet has a microchip, update your contact details with the microchip company immediately.
Found Pets, Stray Animals, and Animal Service Requests
If you found a pet in Los Angeles, check for a collar, tag, and microchip as soon as safely possible. LA Animal Services and City 311 resources can help residents understand reporting steps, shelter routing, and animal service requests.
Do not put yourself at risk with an injured, aggressive, or unsafe animal. Use City of Los Angeles service channels or emergency help when needed. For normal animal service questions, call LA Animal Services at 888-452-7381 or use the 311 route.
Foster, Volunteer, Donate, and Community Help
LA Animal Services offers multiple ways to help animals beyond adoption. Residents can foster, volunteer, donate, support adoption events, share official pet listings, and use spay/neuter and licensing resources to reduce shelter intake.
Fostering can be especially helpful when shelters are crowded or when pets need a calmer temporary home. Volunteers may help with enrichment, adoption support, dog walking, cat care, events, shelter operations, and public outreach depending on the current program needs.
What to Bring Before Visiting an LA Animal Shelter
- Government-issued photo ID.
- Pet name, animal ID, or screenshot from the official LA Animal Services listing.
- Correct shelter location from the listing.
- Payment method for adoption fees, license fees, or applicable service fees.
- Carrier for cat, kitten, rabbit, or small animal adoption.
- Leash, collar, harness, or crate plan for dog adoption.
- Rental approval or housing pet-policy details if you rent.
- Proof of ownership if reclaiming a lost pet.
- Photos, vet records, license details, rabies records, and microchip information for lost-pet cases.
Common Mistakes LA Shelter Visitors Should Avoid
- Going to the wrong shelter: LA Animal Services has six centers, so confirm the exact location of the pet.
- Going on Monday: LA Animal Services Centers are closed Mondays and City-observed holidays.
- Assuming fee promotions are permanent: Reduced or waived adoption fees are often event-based or month-based.
- Forgetting the dog license fee: LA City residents may still need to pay the required dog license fee.
- Waiting too long on a lost pet: Search listings and visit quickly if there is a possible match.
- Skipping housing checks: Renters should confirm pet rules before adopting.
Official Links for LA Animal Shelter Research
Use official LA Animal Services and City of Los Angeles pages for current shelter hours, adoptable pets, shelter locations, adoption events, pet licensing, lost/found support, foster, volunteer, and service updates.
Source Verification and Accuracy Note
Independent guide: This page is an informational resource for readers and is not the official LA Animal Services or City of Los Angeles website. It is designed to help visitors quickly understand shelter locations, hours, fees, phone numbers, adoption steps, lost-pet actions, and planning basics before using official resources.
Official sources checked before writing: LA Animal Services home page, adoption information page, shelter search page, licensing page, event fee references, and City of Los Angeles animal services page. Always confirm current shelter hours, fees, available pets, dog license requirements, event promotions, and holiday closures directly with LA Animal Services before visiting.
Visitor Snapshot: Who Should Use LA Animal Services?
People looking for dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, rabbits, or other shelter pets inside the City of Los Angeles should start with the official pet search and visit the correct center.
Owners searching for missing pets should check listings quickly, confirm which shelter may have the animal, and bring proof of ownership for reclaim help.
Frequently Asked Questions
LA Animal Shelter usually refers to LA Animal Services, the City of Los Angeles animal shelter system with six Animal Services Centers.
The main LA Animal Services phone number is 888-452-7381. City service questions may also use 311 or 213-473-3231.
LA Animal Services Centers are open Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Centers are closed Mondays and City-observed holidays.
There are six LA Animal Services Centers: West Valley, West Los Angeles, Chesterfield Square / South LA, North Central, Harbor, and East Valley.
LA Animal Services states that the six centers are open without appointments during public hours for adoption visits.
Adoption fees often change because LA Animal Services runs reduced-fee and waived-fee events. Common reduced event fees include $51 for dogs, $75 for puppies, $12.50 for cats, and $25 for kittens, with dog license fees for LA City residents sometimes separate.
LA Animal Services adoption event notices state that adopted pets go home spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and licensed for LA City residents when applicable.
Search official LA Animal Services listings quickly, check the correct shelter location, visit if you see a possible match, and bring proof of ownership such as photos, vet records, license records, microchip details, and ID.
Use the official shelter search tool or the pet listing location. LA has six centers, so the right location depends on your neighborhood or where the animal is housed.
LA Animal Services has referenced pet microchipping at city shelters for $15 in official notices. Confirm current availability and price before visiting.
Final Takeaway
LA Animal Shelter is best understood as the LA Animal Services shelter system, with six locations across the City of Los Angeles. The most important visitor details are the 888-452-7381 main phone number, Tuesday–Friday 8 AM to 5 PM hours, Saturday–Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM hours, Monday and City-holiday closures, the need to confirm the exact shelter location before visiting, and the fact that adoption fees often change through official reduced-fee or waived-fee events.
Find an LA Animal Services Center
Use the official shelter search button below to find the correct LA Animal Services Center for your area or for the pet you are trying to adopt or reclaim.
Open LA Shelter SearchAnimal 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.