West Valley Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours, Fees & Pets 2026

2026 LA Animal Services visitor guide

West Valley Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

Plan a West Valley Animal Services Center visit for pet adoption, lost pets, found animals, surrender appointments, fees, service areas, map directions and LA Animal Services contact steps.

West Valley Animal Shelter in Chatsworth is the LA Animal Services location many San Fernando Valley residents search for when they need adoption hours, available dogs and cats, lost-pet help, found-pet intake, surrender appointments, animal control guidance, fees, phone number and directions. This 2026 guide brings those visitor details into one practical page, so you can search official pets first, confirm the correct shelter, prepare ID and documents, understand regular adoption fees, plan your route to 20655 Plummer Street, and know when the final action must still be verified on the official LA Animal Services website.

Chatsworth, CA 888-452-7381 Tue–Sun public hours Adoption & lost pets Surrender by appointment
1
Search official petsUse LAAS pet listings before driving.
2
Confirm West ValleyAnimal listings may be at another LA center.
3
Bring proofID, animal ID, photos, records or payment method.
4
Arrive earlyAdoption and reclaim steps take time.
City vs county warning: West Valley is a City of Los Angeles Animal Services Center. Los Angeles County animal care, nearby independent rescues, and other city shelters may use different rules, service areas, fees and intake steps. If a pet was found outside LA City jurisdiction, confirm the correct agency before driving.

Fast Details for West Valley Animal Shelter Visitors

For most visitors, the important details are simple: West Valley Animal Services Center is located at 20655 Plummer St, Chatsworth, CA 91311, the main LA Animal Services phone number is 888-452-7381, public hours are Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the center is closed Mondays and City-observed holidays.

Official name West Valley Animal Services Center
Address 20655 Plummer St, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Phone 888-452-7381
Closed Mondays and City-observed holidays

What Is West Valley Animal Shelter?

West Valley Animal Shelter is the common name people use for the West Valley Animal Services Center, one of the City of Los Angeles Animal Services Centers. It helps with pet adoption, lost and found animals, found-pet reporting, surrender appointment routing, volunteer/foster paths, pet support resources and city animal service questions.

The most useful thing to understand is that LA Animal Services operates multiple city centers. A dog, cat, rabbit or small pet shown online may not be physically at West Valley. Always check the official listing, animal ID and location before driving to Chatsworth.

Best for adopters Search West Valley pets, ask match questions and prepare ID, transport and payment.
Best for lost pets Search online, visit if a match looks close and bring proof of ownership.
Best for found pets Follow official found-pet and Shelter-at-Home instructions before assuming drop-off is best.

West Valley Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026

West Valley’s public hours follow the LA Animal Services center schedule. The official page lists the center as open without appointment Tuesday through Sunday, except for surrenders. Adoption visitors should still arrive early because meeting animals, asking questions, processing paperwork and arranging safe transport can take longer than expected.

Day Listed public hours Best visitor use Practical warning
Monday Closed Search pets, prepare documents and plan calls for Tuesday. Do not plan same-day adoption, reclaim or surrender visit.
Tuesday–Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Adoption visits, lost-pet checks, reclaim questions and staff help. Avoid arriving near closing if paperwork or pet meetings are needed.
Saturday–Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Weekend adoption and family visits. Can be busier; check animal location and availability before leaving.
City-observed holidays Closed or changed Check official LAAS updates first. Holiday hours and adoption events can change normal planning.
Timing tip: If you are adopting, reclaiming a pet or trying to meet one specific animal, arrive earlier in the open window. Close-to-closing visits can fail because staff may need time for animal handling, counseling, paperwork, payment and safe release.

West Valley Animal Shelter Address, Phone, and Map

The West Valley Animal Services Center is located at 20655 Plummer St, Chatsworth, CA 91311. The main LA Animal Services phone number is 888-452-7381. This location serves many west San Fernando Valley communities, but the correct shelter can depend on where the animal was found and whether the address is inside City of Los Angeles jurisdiction.

Best route planning Use the map before leaving and check traffic from Canoga Park, Northridge, Reseda, Porter Ranch, Woodland Hills, Winnetka, Tarzana or West Hills.
Best call-ahead reason Call if you need surrender scheduling, a specific animal’s status, reclaim questions or guidance for sick/injured animals.

Map is for visitor planning only. Always verify live hours, service rules and pet availability on the official LA Animal Services site.

Directions to West Valley Animal Shelter

West Valley is in Chatsworth in the northwest San Fernando Valley. Traffic can change quickly around the 118, 101, Topanga Canyon, De Soto, Tampa, Mason, Winnetka and other Valley routes, so check directions the day you visit. If you are driving with a pet, use a secure carrier or crate and avoid loose animals in the car.

West Valley Animal Shelter Adoption Fees

West Valley uses LA Animal Services adoption fee rules. Promotions may reduce or waive fees for limited events, so use these regular listed fees as planning information and verify the official adoption page before payment.

Animal type Regular listed adoption fee What to ask before paying
Adult dogs, 4 months and older $102 / $122 with license for City residents Confirm license status, behavior notes, medical notes, promotion pricing and take-home timing.
Puppies under 4 months $150 Ask about vaccines, spay/neuter timing, training needs and first-month costs.
Adult cats, 4 months and older $25 Bring a carrier and ask about temperament, medical notes, foster history and litter habits.
Kittens under 4 months $50 Ask about vaccine boosters, kitten-proofing and safe introductions at home.
Rabbits $71 Ask about housing, diet, handling, spay/neuter and rabbit-savvy veterinary care.
Small critters $17 Ask about enclosure, diet, handling and species-specific care before adopting.

LA Animal Services says adoption fees for dogs, cats and rabbits include vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery and microchipping, and for City of LA residents, the first-year dog license when applicable. A government-issued photo ID is required for adoption, and LAAS accepts cash, check or credit card with matching ID name.

How to Adopt from West Valley Animal Shelter

The strongest adoption plan is not “walk in and hope.” Search first, write down the animal ID, confirm West Valley as the location, bring ID and transport supplies, then ask practical questions before signing paperwork.

1

Search official pets online

Use the official LA Animal Services pet search and filter for West Valley if possible. Write down the animal name, ID number, species and listed shelter location. Take a screenshot because availability can change.

2

Confirm the correct shelter before driving

LA has multiple city shelters. A pet may be at West Los Angeles, East Valley, Harbor, North Central or another center instead of West Valley. Confirm location from the listing.

3

Bring government-issued photo ID and payment method

LA Animal Services requires government-issued photo identification for adoption. If paying by credit card, the name should match the photo ID.

4

Ask fit questions, not only “is the pet cute?”

Ask about age, size, activity level, known medical notes, kennel stress, handling, children, other pets, rabbit/small-pet setup, first-week decompression and whether the animal has been in foster care.

5

Prepare safe transport and first 72 hours

Bring a carrier for cats, rabbits and small pets. For dogs, bring a leash/collar/harness or crate plan. Keep the first few days calm and avoid dog parks, parties or rushed introductions.

West Valley Visit Planner: adoption, lost pet, found pet or surrender?

Choose your situation and this tool will show the best next step before you call or drive. It runs in your browser only and does not search live shelter databases.

Your next-step plan will appear here.

For emergencies, dangerous animals, bites, traffic hazards or immediate public safety risk, use local emergency or animal control channels instead of waiting for a web guide.

Service Areas for West Valley Animal Shelter

LA Animal Services lists West Valley as serving many west San Fernando Valley communities and nearby listed areas for found-pet routing. If the pet was found near a city boundary or outside City of LA limits, confirm jurisdiction before assuming West Valley is the right destination.

Core nearby communities Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Granada Hills, Lake Balboa, Northridge, North Hills and Porter Ranch.
More Valley areas Reseda, Sepulveda, Tarzana, Warner Center, West Hills, Winnetka and Woodland Hills.
Boundary caution Agoura, Malibu, Santa Clarita, Valencia and Westlake Village may require jurisdiction checks.

Do not use service area alone to identify where your pet is located. Search the official lost-pet database and check all possible LA Animal Services centers if your pet may have traveled or been transported.

Lost Pet Help at West Valley Animal Shelter

If your pet is missing, move fast and repeat the search. LA Animal Services recommends checking the lost pet search, registering with lost/found tools, posting locally and visiting shelters in person because scared pets may photograph poorly or be in hospital/isolation areas.

Search the official LA Animal Services lost-pet search by species, location and possible shelter.
Visit in person if a listing looks even close; photos and breed labels can be imperfect.
Bring proof of ownership: photos, vet records, adoption paperwork, license details, microchip information and government photo ID.
Update your microchip contact information immediately.
Check daily. Shelter intake records can update after your first search.
Watch for recovery scams. Do not send money before proof the person actually has your pet.

Found Pets and Surrender Appointments

If you found a pet, safety comes first. LA Animal Services explains that a lost pet does not automatically need to be taken to a shelter, and the Shelter-at-Home route can help reunite pets closer to home when the finder can safely follow reporting, photo and microchip-scan steps.

Found a safe pet? Check tags, take clear photos, keep the animal separate from your pets, notify the closest LA Animal Services Center and follow official Shelter-at-Home rules.
Found an injured or unsafe animal? Do not risk a bite, traffic injury or public danger. Contact the proper animal services or emergency route for urgent safety issues.

Surrender appointments

For owner surrender, LA Animal Services asks people to make an appointment by calling 888-452-7381. Do not abandon a pet or arrive assuming same-day surrender is available. Ask first about pet food pantry support, Home to Home, behavior help, temporary support, trusted rehoming and other pet-retention resources.

What to Bring Before Visiting West Valley Animal Shelter

Bring the right proof and supplies before you go. A missing ID, missing proof of ownership or no transport plan can turn a useful shelter visit into a wasted trip.

Government-issued photo ID for adoption or reclaim steps.
Animal ID, name, listing screenshot or direct listing link if visiting for a specific pet.
Payment method for adoption fees, reclaim fees, license fees or applicable charges.
Proof of ownership for lost/reclaim pets: photos, vet records, license, microchip number, adoption records or prescription labels.
Carrier for cats, rabbits, kittens and small pets.
Leash, collar, harness or crate plan for dogs.
Landlord, HOA or family approval if you have housing restrictions, pet rent, deposits, breed rules or pet limits.
Written questions about medical notes, behavior, vaccines, microchip, spay/neuter and first-week care.

Parking, Arrival, and Best Time to Go

For adoption visits, weekday mornings and earlier open hours are often easier than arriving late or near closing. Weekend visits can be busy, especially during adoption promotions. If you are visiting with children, explain ahead of time that shelter animals may be loud, shy, stressed or not available for handling.

Best arrival style Arrive early enough for animal meetings, questions and paperwork.
Best clothing Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that can handle dog hair, dirt or cleaning smells.
Best backup plan Choose 2–3 possible pets because one listing may disappear before you arrive.

Animal Control, Dangerous Animals and Urgent Situations

People often search “West Valley Animal Shelter & Control” because they need help quickly. Use West Valley and LA Animal Services for animal service routing, but do not wait on a normal shelter visit if there is immediate danger.

Normal shelter route Adoption, lost pet search, found pet reporting, surrender appointment questions and general shelter service questions.
Animal services route Loose animals, nuisance barking, deceased animals, permits, dangerous animal reports and jurisdiction-specific service requests.
Emergency route Active attack, serious bite, traffic hazard, injured animal in immediate danger or public-safety emergency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming Monday is open West Valley is closed Mondays and City-observed holidays.
Checking only one shelter Lost pets and adoptable animals can appear at different LA city centers.
Arriving without ID Adoption requires government-issued photo ID, and reclaim also needs proof.
Trying to surrender without an appointment Owner surrender requires calling and scheduling unless the animal is sick or injured.
Trusting old fee screenshots Promotions and regular fees can change. Verify current LAAS adoption information.
Forgetting transport Carriers, crates, leashes and safe vehicle setup matter before leaving with a pet.

Source Verification and Accuracy Note

This page is an independent Animal-Shelter.org guide. It is not the official City of Los Angeles website and not the official LA Animal Services website. Official West Valley hours, events, fees, adoption promotions, surrender rules, animal locations and service areas should be verified directly with LA Animal Services before visiting.

Visitor Snapshot: Is West Valley the Right Shelter for You?

West Valley is usually the right starting point if you are in the west San Fernando Valley and need a City of Los Angeles Animal Services Center for adoption, lost pets, found pets, reclaim help, surrender appointment guidance or general animal service routing.

Your situation Use West Valley when… Check another route when…
Adoption The pet listing shows West Valley or you are open to browsing available animals there. The pet listing shows West LA, East Valley, Harbor, North Central or South LA.
Lost pet Your pet may have entered the West Valley service area. Your pet went missing outside LA City or near another shelter boundary.
Found pet The pet was found in a West Valley service area and you can follow official reporting steps. The animal is unsafe, injured, wildlife, or outside City of LA jurisdiction.
Surrender You have called 888-452-7381 and received appointment guidance. You can use pet retention, Home to Home, food support or rescue help instead.

Helpful Related Animal Shelter Guides

These related Animal-Shelter.org guides can help if you are comparing LA city shelter locations, nearby regional shelters or adoption models. Each internal URL is used once and is relevant to animal shelter user intent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is West Valley Animal Shelter located?

West Valley Animal Services Center is located at 20655 Plummer St, Chatsworth, CA 91311.

What is the phone number for West Valley Animal Shelter?

The main LA Animal Services phone number listed for West Valley is 888-452-7381.

What are West Valley Animal Shelter adoption hours in 2026?

The official West Valley page lists Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. The center is closed Mondays and City-observed holidays.

Do I need an appointment to adopt from West Valley Animal Shelter?

LA Animal Services says centers are open Tuesday through Sunday without appointment except for surrenders. Still, check the official page before visiting because holidays, events and operations can change.

Do I need an appointment to surrender a pet?

Yes. LA Animal Services asks pet owners to make a surrender appointment by calling 888-452-7381. Sick or injured animals are admitted without appointment.

How much are adoption fees at West Valley Animal Shelter?

Regular LAAS fees include adult dogs at $102 or $122 with license for City residents, puppies at $150, adult cats at $25, kittens at $50, rabbits at $71 and small critters at $17. Promotions may temporarily change fees.

What should I bring to adopt?

Bring government-issued photo ID, payment method, the animal ID or listing screenshot, and a safe transport plan such as a carrier, crate, leash, collar or harness.

What should I bring to reclaim a lost pet?

Bring proof of ownership such as photos, vaccination records, adoption certificates, microchip information, pet license details, and government-issued photo ID.

What areas does West Valley Animal Shelter serve?

LAAS lists West Valley service areas including Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Granada Hills, Lake Balboa, Northridge, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Tarzana, Warner Center, West Hills, Winnetka and Woodland Hills, plus some listed boundary communities requiring jurisdiction checks.

Is West Valley Animal Shelter the same as West Los Angeles Animal Shelter?

No. West Valley is in Chatsworth at 20655 Plummer St. West Los Angeles is a different LA Animal Services Center on West Pico Boulevard.

Final Takeaway

West Valley Animal Shelter in Chatsworth is a key LA Animal Services center for adoptions, lost pets, found pets, surrender appointment routing and animal service questions in the west San Fernando Valley. The most important visitor steps are to search official pets first, confirm the animal’s location, check current hours, bring photo ID and proof documents, prepare safe transport, and call 888-452-7381 when your visit involves surrender, a sick/injured animal or a specific service question.

Use this guide to plan, but use the official LA Animal Services website for the final live decision on hours, fees, pet availability, promotions, appointment rules and service updates.

USA-wide shelter helper • adoption, lost pets, found pets, surrender and animal control

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.

Lost Pet PlanSearch, microchip, shelter checks, flyers
Found Pet HelpSafety, scanning, reporting, holding
Adoption PlannerReadiness, questions, supplies, budget
Visit ChecklistDocuments, call script, official links

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.

Important: Shelter rules vary by city, county, agency, and animal type. Always confirm hours, intake rules, fees, appointment requirements, and proof-of-ownership rules with the official shelter or animal control agency before visiting.

Lost pet recovery checklist

Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.

0% completed

Found pet safety decision helper

Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.

Safety first: Do not approach an aggressive, injured, trapped, or traffic-endangered animal if doing so could put you or others at risk. Contact animal control, emergency services, or a qualified professional when needed.

Adoption readiness checker

This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.

0% readiness signals checked

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.

Helpful reminder: Ask the shelter about pet food pantries, low-cost vet care, behavior support, temporary foster options, and safe rehoming resources before making a final decision.

Animal control contact decision helper

Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.

Emergency warning: If there is immediate danger to a person, a serious bite, traffic hazard, or active attack, contact local emergency services or animal control according to local rules.

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.

USA-wide Shelter user intent Official-source focused

Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.