Los Angeles Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours, Fees & Lost Pets 2026
Use this Los Angeles Animal Shelter guide before visiting LA Animal Services for adoptions, lost pets, found pets, surrender appointments, licensing, animal control, cruelty reports and city shelter directions.
Los Angeles Animal Shelter searches usually mean LA Animal Services, the City of Los Angeles department with six animal services centers: West Valley, West Los Angeles, Chesterfield Square / South LA, North Central, Harbor and East Valley. This 2026 guide gives you the practical details in one place: city shelter hours, adoption fees, center addresses, phone number, lost-pet steps, found-pet reporting, surrender appointment rules, animal control routing, map help and visitor checklists so you can solve most questions here and use the official LA Animal Services website only for final live pet availability and same-day updates.
Quick answer: Los Angeles Animal Shelter details
LA Animal Services operates six City of Los Angeles shelters and uses the main phone number (888) 452-7381. City shelter center hours are listed as Tuesday–Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday–Sunday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Shelters are closed Mondays and city-observed holidays.
The right LA shelter depends on the pet’s location or the center where the animal is housed. For adoption, use the official pet search first. For a lost pet, search shelter listings immediately and check multiple nearby shelters if the pet may have crossed boundaries. For surrender, LA Animal Services asks people to make an appointment by calling (888) 452-7381.
Official LA Animal Services links to use first
This guide gives you the working plan, but pet availability, adoption specials, shelter closures, fees and appointment instructions can change. Use these official links before driving.
Animal-Shelter.org is an independent guide and is not the official LA Animal Services website.
Los Angeles Animal Services center locations
LA Animal Services has six city shelters. Always confirm the animal’s location before driving because adoptable and lost pets are tied to a specific center.
| Center | Address | Main phone | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Valley | 20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth, CA 91311 | (888) 452-7381 | San Fernando Valley west-side shelter search, adoption and lost/found routing. |
| West Los Angeles | 11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 | (888) 452-7381 | Westside LA adoptions, lost pets and city shelter services. |
| Chesterfield Square / South LA | 1850 W. 60th St., Los Angeles, CA 90047 | (888) 452-7381 | South LA adoption, reclaim and local animal services. |
| North Central | 3201 Lacy St., Los Angeles, CA 90031 | (888) 452-7381 | Central/Northeast LA shelter services and lost-pet search. |
| Harbor | 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90731 | (888) 452-7381 | Harbor-area shelter services and adoption routing. |
| East Valley | 14409 Vanowen St., Van Nuys, CA 91405 | (888) 452-7381 | East San Fernando Valley adoptions, lost/found and pet services. |
Los Angeles Animal Shelter hours 2026
City shelter center hours are listed as Tuesday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm, and closed Mondays and city-observed holidays. Some services, especially surrender, may require an appointment even when the shelter is otherwise open.
Choose what you need today
Los Angeles animal shelter searches are not all the same. Pick the correct route before you drive, call or fill out a form.
LA Animal Services adoption fees
LA Animal Services publishes regular adoption fees, but adoption specials and waived-fee events can change. Use this table for planning, then verify the current fee on the official adoption page or the pet’s listing.
| Animal category | Regular listed fee | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult dogs, 4 months and older | $102 / $122 with license for City residents | Ask about license requirement, behavior notes, medical notes and current promotions. |
| Puppies under 4 months | $150 | Puppies move fast; confirm availability before driving. |
| Adult cats, 4 months and older | $25 | Ask whether the cat is at the shelter, in foster, bonded or under special notes. |
| Kittens under 4 months | $50 | Bring a carrier and ask about vaccine/spay-neuter timing. |
| Rabbits | $71 | Confirm habitat needs and whether the rabbit is at a specific center. |
| Small critters | $17 | Includes animals such as guinea pigs, hamsters, chickens, reptiles and more. |
| Adoption specials | Can be reduced or waived | Check current LA Animal Services promotions before relying on any old fee post. |
How to adopt from a Los Angeles animal shelter
LA shelters can be crowded, and popular animals can be adopted quickly. A smart visit starts online, not at the counter.
Search available pets online
Use the official LA Animal Services pet search and note the animal’s name, ID, species, age, location and any medical or behavior notes. Do not assume a pet is still available just because a screenshot or old post shows it.
Confirm the shelter location
LA has six city shelters. Make sure the animal is at West Valley, West LA, South LA, North Central, Harbor or East Valley before driving.
Prepare your ID, housing rules and transport
Bring photo ID, payment method, proof of address if needed, landlord approval if renting, and a safe carrier, leash, crate or vehicle setup.
Ask practical fit questions
Ask about energy level, medical needs, spay/neuter, microchip, vaccines, dog-to-dog notes, cat behavior, children, noise sensitivity, foster history and return guidance.
Plan the first week before adoption
Do not take a new pet straight to a dog park, party or busy public place. Prepare quiet decompression space, food transition, vet follow-up and slow introductions.
Before you visit: LA shelter checklist
This checklist prevents the most common wasted trips: wrong center, closed day, missing ID, no carrier, no rental approval or pet already adopted.
Lost and found pets in Los Angeles
LA Animal Services participates in lost-and-found pet resources and connects pet owners with shelter search tools, Petco Love Lost, 24Petconnect registration and lost-pet listings. If your pet is missing, do not rely on one search. Search by date, color, size, sex, approximate age, location and shelter center.
Proof to bring if reclaiming a pet
- Clear photos showing the pet’s face, body, color and markings.
- Microchip number, license number, tag number or registration record.
- Vet records, vaccination records or adoption paperwork.
- Proof of address and valid photo ID.
- Pet listing screenshot, animal ID or intake number if found online.
- Payment method for any reclaim, license or related fee if required.
Pet surrender and rehoming in Los Angeles
LA Animal Services asks pet owners to reconsider surrender when possible and points to support options such as Home To Home, pet food pantry and pet retention resources. If surrender is the only option, LA Animal Services says to make an appointment by calling (888) 452-7381.
Before calling about surrender
Animal control and cruelty reports in Los Angeles
LA Animal Services handles animal-related city services, including animal welfare concerns, lost/found pets, licensing and animal control support inside the City of Los Angeles. If there is immediate danger to a person, active violence or a life-threatening emergency, call emergency services first.
City boundary check
Los Angeles County has a separate animal-care system. If the incident, lost pet or found pet is outside the City of Los Angeles, search the correct city or county shelter. This matters for areas like unincorporated county communities, Castaic, Palmdale, Lancaster and other local jurisdictions.
Los Angeles Shelter action planner
Use this quick helper before calling or visiting. It does not search live inventory and does not contact LA Animal Services; it simply gives you the right preparation path.
Map: find a Los Angeles animal shelter near you
Because LA Animal Services has six city centers, use this map as a broad route-planning tool, then open the official shelter search to confirm the exact center, address, current hours and pet location.
Map is for planning only. Use the official shelter search before driving to confirm the correct LA Animal Services center.
Related Los Angeles animal shelter guides
If your lost pet crossed a boundary or you are comparing shelters across Los Angeles, check the correct city or county system. These internal guides are unique, live, and used once.
Common Los Angeles shelter mistakes to avoid
Call scripts for faster LA shelter answers
Short, clear calls help staff route your issue faster.
Los Angeles Animal Shelter FAQs
What is the main Los Angeles Animal Shelter phone number?
The main LA Animal Services phone number is (888) 452-7381.
How many LA Animal Services shelters are there?
LA Animal Services lists six city centers: West Valley, West Los Angeles, Chesterfield Square / South LA, North Central, Harbor and East Valley.
What are Los Angeles Animal Shelter hours?
City shelter center hours are listed as Tuesday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm, and closed Mondays and city-observed holidays.
Where is the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter?
The West Los Angeles center is listed at 11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064.
Where is the South LA animal shelter?
The Chesterfield Square / South LA center is listed at 1850 W. 60th St., Los Angeles, CA 90047.
How much are LA Animal Services dog adoption fees?
Regular listed fees are $102 or $122 with license for adult dogs 4 months and older, and $150 for puppies under 4 months. Promotions can change, so verify current fees before visiting.
How much are LA Animal Services cat adoption fees?
Regular listed fees are $25 for adult cats 4 months and older and $50 for kittens under 4 months. Confirm current fees and promotions before visiting.
What should I do if I lost my pet in Los Angeles?
Search LA Animal Services lost-pet listings, register your missing pet, use Petco Love Lost, update microchip information and check nearby shelters repeatedly.
What should I do if I found a pet in Los Angeles?
If safe, check for ID, scan for a microchip, use Petco Love Lost, post locally and follow LA Animal Services found-pet instructions before assuming shelter intake is the only option.
Can I surrender a pet to LA Animal Services?
LA Animal Services says to make an appointment by calling (888) 452-7381. Do not abandon a pet in any building, enclosure, lot, street or public place.
Is LA Animal Services the same as LA County Animal Care and Control?
No. LA Animal Services handles City of Los Angeles shelters. LA County Animal Care and Control is a separate county system with different shelters and service areas.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official LA Animal Services website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent guide. Use official LA Animal Services pages for final live details.
Final takeaway
For Los Angeles Animal Shelter planning, first identify whether you need LA city or LA county service. If it is LA city, use LA Animal Services, confirm the correct one of six centers, search pets online, avoid Monday visits, verify fees and specials, and call (888) 452-7381 for adoption, lost-pet, surrender or animal-service questions.
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.