Fast Details for West Valley Animal Shelter Visitors
What Is West Valley Animal Shelter?
West Valley Animal Shelter, officially listed by LA Animal Services as the West Valley Animal Services Center, is a City of Los Angeles animal care center located in Chatsworth. It serves people looking to adopt pets, foster animals, search for lost pets, bring in found pets, and get help with city animal services.
The shelter is part of the LA Animal Services system, which means pets may be searchable across multiple Los Angeles city shelters. A practical point for adopters is that LA Animal Services says you can adopt any pet from any shelter, so you should search the official pet database before visiting and not rely only on animals physically listed at one center.
West Valley Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
West Valley Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The shelter is closed on Mondays and City-observed holidays.
For adoptions, it is best to arrive earlier than the final hour of the day. You may need time to view animals, ask staff questions, meet the pet, complete paperwork, pay applicable fees, and understand any medical or behavior notes. If the shelter is busy, arriving close to closing can limit your options.
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 listed for the center is (888) 452-7381.
If you are driving from Canoga Park, Northridge, Reseda, West Hills, Woodland Hills, Porter Ranch, or Granada Hills, check traffic before leaving. The shelter is in the northwest San Fernando Valley area, and travel time can vary significantly depending on the time of day.
Directions to West Valley Animal Shelter
Use the map button below for directions to 20655 Plummer St, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Confirm current hours and service rules before visiting.
Open Map & DirectionsWest Valley Animal Shelter Adoption Fees
LA Animal Services publishes regular adoption fees by animal type. Adoption promotions may temporarily reduce or waive fees, but you should always confirm the current fee on the official LA Animal Services page before visiting.
| Pet Type | Regular Adoption Fee | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Dogs, 4 months and older | $102 / $122 with license for City residents | License rules may apply for City of Los Angeles residents. |
| Puppies, under 4 months | $150 | Puppies can be high-demand, so check availability before visiting. |
| Adult Cats, 4 months and older | $25 | Adult cats may be easier to match by personality and household fit. |
| Kittens, under 4 months | $50 | Kitten availability may increase during kitten season. |
| Rabbits | $71 | Ask about housing, diet, handling, and rabbit-safe home setup. |
| Small Critters | $17 | Includes animals such as guinea pigs, hamsters, chickens, reptiles, rats, mice, and more when available. |
How to Adopt from West Valley Animal Shelter
The adoption process is easiest if you do your research before arriving. Start with the official LA Animal Services pet search, note the animal name or animal ID, then visit during open hours. Because pet availability changes quickly, always have more than one possible match in mind.
- Search pets online: Use the LA Animal Services pet search to view animals at West Valley and other city shelters.
- Write down animal IDs: Bring the animal ID, name, and location so staff can help you faster.
- Visit during adoption hours: West Valley is open Tuesday–Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday–Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
- Bring photo ID: A government-issued photo ID is normally needed for adoption paperwork.
- Ask practical questions: Discuss age, medical notes, energy level, known behavior, compatibility, and home setup.
- Plan transportation: Bring or prepare safe transport, such as a carrier for cats or small pets and a leash setup for dogs.
If you are comparing Los Angeles-area shelters before visiting, the LA Animal Shelter guide can help you understand the broader city shelter system, while the Orange County Animal Shelter guide is useful if you are also searching outside Los Angeles city limits.
Service Areas for West Valley Animal Shelter
LA Animal Services lists West Valley as serving several west San Fernando Valley and nearby communities for found pets. These areas include Bell Canyon, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Granada Hills, Lake Balboa, Northridge, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Sepulveda, Tarzana, Warner Center, West Hills, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills.
The official page also notes outside city-limit communities such as Agoura, Malibu, Santa Clarita, Valencia, and Westlake Village. If you are outside City of Los Angeles jurisdiction, confirm whether LA Animal Services or another county/city agency is the correct place for your animal service issue.
Lost Pet Help at West Valley Animal Shelter
If your pet is missing, act quickly. Search the LA Animal Services lost pet tools, check the West Valley location, and also search other LA city shelters because pets may not always end up at the location closest to your home.
When you contact or visit the shelter, bring clear photos, microchip information, vet records, license details, and proof of ownership. If your pet has a microchip, call the microchip company to make sure your contact information is current.
Found Pets and Surrender Appointments
West Valley accepts sick or injured animals without an appointment, according to LA Animal Services. For pet surrenders, however, appointments are required. The official page asks owners to reconsider surrender because city shelters continue to operate at high capacity and suggests alternatives such as Home to Home, pet food pantry support, resource guides, and intervention groups.
If you found a healthy pet, check whether the animal may live nearby before taking it to a shelter. Many lost pets are found close to home. If safe and legal, you can look for tags, ask nearby neighbors, post in local lost-pet groups, scan for a microchip through a vet or shelter, and follow LA Animal Services found-pet guidance.
What to Bring Before Visiting West Valley Animal Shelter
- Government-issued photo ID for adoption or reclaim paperwork.
- Animal name, animal ID, screenshot, or listing link if you are visiting for a specific pet.
- Proof of ownership if you are reclaiming a lost pet, such as photos, vet records, microchip details, or license information.
- Payment method for adoption fees or applicable charges.
- Pet carrier for cats, rabbits, kittens, or small animals if instructed.
- Leash, collar, crate, or safe transport plan for dogs.
- Rental or HOA approval if your housing has breed, size, deposit, or pet-limit rules.
Parking, Arrival, and Best Time to Go
West Valley Animal Shelter is a busy city animal services location, so plan your visit with extra time. Weekends can be more crowded because many adopters are off work. If you want a calmer experience, Tuesday through Friday earlier in the day may be easier than arriving late afternoon or near closing.
If you are planning to meet a dog, wear comfortable shoes and clothing. If you are adopting a cat or rabbit, ask staff about proper carriers and transition tips. If you have children, prepare them before the visit so they understand shelter animals may be nervous, loud, shy, or overstimulated.
Official West Valley Animal Shelter Links
Use official LA Animal Services pages for current hours, adoption rules, pet search, lost-pet help, surrender guidance, and city animal services. Third-party listings may be outdated, so confirm important details through LA Animal Services before visiting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming Monday is open: West Valley is closed on Mondays and City-observed holidays.
- Arriving too close to closing: Adoption and reclaim processes can take time.
- Checking only one shelter: Lost pets may be listed at another LA Animal Services Center.
- Using outdated fee info: Adoption fees and special promotions can change.
- Trying to surrender without calling: Surrenders require appointments unless the animal is sick or injured.
- Forgetting proof of ownership: Reclaiming a pet is smoother when you bring photos, microchip details, license information, or vet records.
Source Verification and Accuracy Note
Independent guide: This page is an informational guide and is not the official LA Animal Services website, City of Los Angeles website, or West Valley Animal Services Center page.
Official sources checked before writing: LA Animal Services West Valley page, LA Animal Services shelter search, LA Animal Services adoption information, and City of Los Angeles animal services resources. Always confirm current hours, adoption availability, promotions, fees, and surrender rules directly with LA Animal Services before visiting.
Visitor Snapshot: Is West Valley the Right Shelter for You?
People in the west San Fernando Valley who want to adopt, foster, search for a lost pet, or work with a City of Los Angeles animal services center.
Search the official pet database first, bring ID, write down animal IDs, and call if your visit involves surrender, a sick animal, or a specific service question.
Frequently Asked Questions
West Valley Animal Shelter is located at 20655 Plummer St, Chatsworth, CA 91311.
The listed LA Animal Services phone number for West Valley is (888) 452-7381.
West Valley Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed Mondays and City-observed holidays.
LA Animal Services says centers are open Tuesday through Sunday without an appointment except for surrenders. For adoptions, you can generally visit during open hours, but you should confirm current rules before going.
Yes. LA Animal Services states that surrenders require an appointment. Sick or injured animals will be admitted without an appointment.
Regular LA Animal Services 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 reduce or waive fees.
LA Animal Services 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, Woodland Hills, and nearby listed areas.
Yes. LA Animal Services states that you can adopt any pet from any shelter. Use the official pet search to compare available animals across LA city shelters.
Final Takeaway
West Valley Animal Shelter in Chatsworth is a key LA Animal Services location for adoptions, lost pets, found pets, and animal services in the west San Fernando Valley. The most important details are the address at 20655 Plummer St, the phone number (888) 452-7381, weekday hours from 8 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Friday, weekend hours from 11 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday, and the appointment requirement for surrenders.
Before visiting, search pets online, confirm current hours, bring proper ID, check adoption fees, and use official LA Animal Services pages for the most current rules.
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.