Los Angeles County Animal Shelter: Adoption & Pets 2026
Use this Los Angeles County animal-help dashboard to choose adoption, lost pet, found pet, surrender, field service, licensing, spay/neuter help, foster or the closest DACC care center.
Important distinction: LA County DACC is different from LA City Animal Services. DACC serves unincorporated LA County and contracted cities, while most City of Los Angeles shelter needs go through LA Animal Services.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- LA County vs LA City
- Seven DACC animal care centers
- Adoption hours and holiday note
- Adoption fees and what is included
- Adoption micro-steps
- Lost/found pet steps
- Field service and emergency routing
- Surrender and rehome help
- Pet licensing fees
- Foster and bottle-baby help
- Before you leave home
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable LA County Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. This page is designed for fast answers, not long paragraphs.
LA County DACC vs LA City Animal Services
This is the first thing to check. A “Los Angeles animal shelter” search can point to two different systems.
Use LA County DACC when
- Your address is in unincorporated Los Angeles County.
- Your city contracts with LA County DACC.
- The pet is listed on the LA County DACC website.
- You need one of the seven DACC animal care centers.
- You need South/North DACC Communication Center routing.
Use LA City Animal Services when
- You live inside the City of Los Angeles service area.
- The pet is listed on LA Animal Services pages.
- You need one of LA City’s six shelters.
- Your issue is within LA City boundaries and not a DACC service area.
- DACC’s service-area checker says your location is not served by DACC.
LA County Animal Care Centers: Address Quick Table
Use the center closest to where the animal is located, or use DACC’s official locator if you are unsure.
| Care center | Address | Best for | Email listed by DACC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agoura | 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura, CA 91301 | West County route and local adoption visits. | agoura@animalcare.lacounty.gov |
| Baldwin Park | 4275 North Elton Street, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 | South County route and adoption visits. | baldwinpark@animalcare.lacounty.gov |
| Carson/Gardena | 216 West Victoria Street, Gardena, CA 90248 | South/West County route and adoption visits. | carson@animalcare.lacounty.gov |
| Santa Clarita Valley / Castaic | 31044 North Charlie Canyon Road, Castaic, CA 91384 | North County route and adoption visits. | castaic@animalcare.lacounty.gov |
| Downey | 11258 South Garfield Avenue, Downey, CA 90242 | South County route and adoption visits. | downeyctaip@animalcare.lacounty.gov |
| Lancaster | 5210 West Avenue I, Lancaster, CA 93536 | Antelope Valley route and adoption visits. | acclancaster@animalcare.lacounty.gov |
| Palmdale | 38550 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, CA 93550 | Antelope Valley route and adoption visits. | palmdale@animalcare.lacounty.gov |
Adoption Hours and Holiday Note
DACC lists public adoption visits as Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
| Need | Time / route | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet | Monday-Saturday, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM | Search the pet online, confirm center, then visit during adoption hours. |
| Availability check | Communication Center route | DACC says calls to check availability should go through Communication Center/Dispatch. |
| Holiday operations | Limited operations on many holidays | Do not assume normal adoption service on listed county holidays. |
| Human emergency | 911 | Call 911 first. |
| Injured animal emergency | South 562-940-6898 or North 661-940-4191 | Call, do not submit a delayed online form. |
Adoption Fees and What Is Included
DACC adoption fees vary by how long the animal has been in care, plus required medical and licensing-related charges when applicable.
| Fee item | Listed amount | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee if animal has been in care 10 days or less | $50 | Ask whether promotions or discounts apply. |
| Adoption fee if animal has been in care more than 10 days | $30 | Longer-stay pets may cost less to adopt. |
| Dog sterilization fee | $50 | Applies in addition to adoption fee when required. |
| Cat sterilization fee | $40 | Applies in addition to adoption fee when required. |
| Microchip fee | $7.50 | Registration in the national chip database may not be included. |
| Other charges | Varies | Licensing or pain medication may apply depending on residence and surgery. |
Spay / neuter first
DACC says animals are available for adoption once spayed or neutered. If surgery is still needed, adoption waits unless an exceptional trust-deposit situation applies.
Free vet exam
Adopted animals are eligible for a free veterinary exam within seven days through participating Southern California Veterinary Medical Association members.
License may apply
If you live in a DACC licensing service area, dog or cat licensing fees may be added according to your jurisdiction’s schedule.
Adoption Micro-Steps
Follow this order so you do not drive to the wrong center or miss a key requirement.
Search pets online
Open View Our Animals. Screenshot animal ID, name, species, location and status.
Confirm the correct center
Check whether the animal is at Agoura, Baldwin Park, Carson/Gardena, Castaic, Downey, Lancaster or Palmdale before driving.
Visit Monday-Saturday
DACC lists adoption visits from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Arrive early enough for questions and paperwork.
Ask medical-status questions
Ask if spay/neuter is complete, whether a trust deposit applies, and what vaccines, microchip and medications are included.
Prepare for licensing
If the pet will live in a DACC service area, ask whether licensing is required at adoption.
Use the free vet exam quickly
If you adopt, schedule the free vet exam within seven days through a participating veterinarian.
Lost or Found Pet in LA County
Use microchip, flyers, local posts and shelter contact together. In LA County, one shelter search is usually not enough.
If your pet is lost
- Contact your pet’s microchip company and mark the pet lost.
- Create a flyer with pet name, gender, size, breed, spay/neuter status, last-seen location and clear photo.
- Open gates only if it is safe and you have no other pets that could escape.
- Leave recently worn clothing, food and water where your pet may return.
- Use PawBoost, Nextdoor, Craigslist and local lost-pet Facebook groups.
- Contact all animal shelters within about 30 miles, not just one center.
- Bring proof of ownership if you find a matching animal.
If you found a pet
- If safe, move the animal away from traffic and heat.
- Take photos before moving the animal.
- Keep the found pet separate from your own pets.
- Check collar/tag only if safe.
- Ask a vet, shelter or dispatch route about microchip scanning.
- Check whether DACC services the location where the animal was found.
- For sick, injured or unsafe animals, call the Communication Center instead of using a delayed online form.
Field Service and Emergency Routing
Use online requests for non-emergency situations only. Use phone routing for emergencies or sick/injured animals.
| Situation | Use this route | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| Human emergency | 911 | Give exact location, injuries, immediate threat and animal description. |
| Injured animal emergency | South 562-940-6898 or North 661-940-4191 | Do not submit online if delay could put the animal at risk. |
| Stray animal concern | DACC Service Request | Submit exact address, animal description, owner known/unknown and safety status. |
| Non-emergency dog bite | DACC Service Request or dispatch if urgent | Give date/time, address, victim status and animal location. |
| Suspected cruelty or neglect | DACC Service Request; 911 if in progress/emergency | Give address, dates, visible conditions and safe photos if available. |
| Dead animal pickup | DACC Service Request | Give exact location, animal type and traffic hazard status. |
| Animal noise complaint | DACC noise complaint page | Use the dedicated excessive-animal-noise process, not the general form. |
Surrender and Rehome Help
DACC says no appointment is needed to surrender, but strongly encourages owners to review resources that may help keep or safely rehome the pet first.
| Need | Correct action | Prepare before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Try to keep the pet | Review Rehome Your Pet and support resources. | Describe what problem you need help solving: housing, behavior, food, vet care, time or safety. |
| Rehome without shelter intake | Use owner-to-owner rehoming, rescue partners or support programs when safe. | Clear photos, medical records, behavior notes and honest screening questions. |
| Surrender is the best path | Visit your local DACC Animal Care Center during business hours. | Bring ID, pet records, behavior/medical notes, medication, food details and reason for surrender. |
| Pet is aggressive or unsafe | Call before transporting. | Tell staff about bite history, handling risks and exact urgency. |
Pet Licensing Fees: Check Your City Row
DACC’s July 1, 2026 license-fee schedule is city-specific. The table below gives a practical example using the unincorporated county row and common columns. Always open the official schedule for your exact city.
| License item | County unincorporated row | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Unaltered dog | $60 | Higher fee; spay/neuter proof can lower dog license cost in many service areas. |
| Altered dog | $20 | Common lower-cost license category. |
| Senior 60+ owned altered dog | $7.50 | Senior owner discount applies when requirements are met. |
| Disabled military veteran altered dog | $7.50 | Requires documentation. |
| Unaltered cat | $10 | Cat license rules vary by jurisdiction. |
| Altered cat | $5 | Lower-cost altered cat category in the unincorporated county row. |
| Field enforcement fee | $40 | Can apply when licensing is handled through field enforcement. |
| Three-year license | License fee x 3 | Useful if your pet’s rabies vaccination timing supports it. |
Foster, Bottle Babies and Volunteer Help
If you cannot adopt permanently, DACC still has useful ways to help animals.
Bottle-baby fosters
DACC posts bottle-baby foster needs and gives a foster email route for people who can help with tiny kittens.
Short-term foster
Foster homes can help animals recover, socialize and stay out of crowded kennels while waiting for adoption.
Volunteer and donate
DACC lists volunteer opportunities and donation routes through its official pages and foundation support links.
Before You Leave Home
Pet ID screenshot, correct care center, ID, leash/carrier, license-fee awareness and arrival before 5 PM.
Recent photo, microchip number, collar/tag details, cross streets, flyer and proof of ownership.
Exact location, photos, safety status, city/service-area check and dispatch number if injured.
ID, vet records, medication, food notes, behavior notes, bite history and rehome options tried.
Local LA County Tips
Check jurisdiction first
DACC, LA City and other local agencies can overlap in search results. Use the exact address.
Do not chase centers
Confirm the pet’s center before driving from one side of the county to another.
Call for injured animals
Online requests are for non-emergencies. Injured animal emergencies need Communication Center phone routing.
Microchip helps
Microchip updates and proof of ownership can make reclaim faster and more reliable.
Heat safety
Bring water and safe transport. Never leave pets in cars while waiting at a care center.
Cat pickup limits
Free-roaming stray cats are handled differently unless sick or injured, so call if the cat is at risk.
Map: LA County DACC Animal Care Centers
Use this broad map for planning only. Confirm the exact animal care center on the official DACC listing before driving.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I’m interested in [animal ID/name]. Which care center is this pet at, is the animal still available, and what fees or surgery status should I know before visiting?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat/other] is missing near [cross streets/city]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Has a matching animal entered DACC care?Injured animal
Hi, I found an injured [animal] at [exact location]. The animal is [contained/loose], and the condition is [describe]. Which dispatch route should handle this?Surrender
Hi, I need to discuss surrender or rehoming for my [pet]. I have medical records and behavior notes. Are there resources that may help me keep or safely rehome the pet first?Official LA County Animal Links
The useful details are summarized above. Use these official links for live listings, forms, service-area checks and current verification.
Los Angeles County Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main Los Angeles County animal shelter system?
The main county system is the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, often called DACC.
Does LA County DACC serve the City of Los Angeles?
DACC says it does not service the City of Los Angeles except for small unincorporated areas within or adjacent to the city. Most City of Los Angeles shelter needs go through LA Animal Services.
What are LA County animal shelter adoption hours?
DACC lists adoption visits at its animal care centers as Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
How many LA County animal care centers are there?
DACC operates seven animal care centers: Agoura, Baldwin Park, Carson/Gardena, Santa Clarita Valley/Castaic, Downey, Lancaster and Palmdale.
How much is the LA County DACC adoption fee?
DACC says the adoption fee is $50 if the animal has been in care ten days or less and $30 if the animal has been in care more than ten days, with additional sterilization, microchip, licensing or medication fees when applicable.
What is the South County DACC dispatch number?
The South County Communication Center number is 562-940-6898 for Agoura, Baldwin Park, Carson/Gardena and Downey routes.
What is the North County DACC dispatch number?
The North County Communication Center number is 661-940-4191 for Santa Clarita Valley/Castaic, Lancaster and Palmdale routes.
What should I do if I lost a pet in LA County?
Contact your microchip company, create flyers, use PawBoost and local posts, contact shelters within about 30 miles and check DACC care centers if your pet may be in county care.
Can I surrender a pet to LA County DACC without an appointment?
DACC says appointments are no longer required to surrender, but it strongly encourages owners to review resources that may help them keep or safely rehome the pet first.
Does LA County DACC pick up free-roaming stray cats?
DACC says it does not pick up free-roaming stray cats unless they are ill or injured. Sick or injured stray cats should be reported by phone to the Communication Center.
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.