Los Angeles County is known for having an animal intake problem. In a city that is also host to many pricey pure-bred dogs in celebrity homes, it’s a frustrating recurring issue.
At the end of October 2021, L.A. Animal Services issued an urgent plea for fosters and adopters. All six of their shelters are packed with animals looking for homes.
In a Facebook post, L.A. Animal Services asked the community for help, reminding animal lovers that they have plenty of healthy dogs and cats in need of forever homes.
“Our Centers are filled with amazing dogs, cats, and kittens who are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, and ready to meet you and be a part of your family!”
L.A. Animal Services also has bunnies, hamsters, chickens, and even pigs if you’re looking for a less conventional animal companion. Agnes Sibal-Von Debschitz, a public information officer with LA Animal Services, told ABC7:
“Our center can take about 1,700 animals. I think right now that’s the population and about 1,000 of those are dogs.”
Not All Lost Pets Need To End Up In Shelters
Part of the cause for the current overcrowding is family pets ending up in kennels. Since many of the dogs brought into their shelters are lost/missing, L.A. Animal Services wants concerned families and the people bringing in the dogs they found to know about their options.
If you find someone else’s dog, you can take them to a veterinarian, nearby rescue, or animal control services for a free microchip scan. This effort could result in locating the dog’s family without them having to spend time in a shelter.
For those who are missing animals, they recommend putting flyers up around the neighborhood and checking the Next Door platform or dedicated lost pet Facebook groups. Of course, always make sure your dog is microchipped so that if they are brought to a shelter, a scan will reveal your name and address ASAP.
Another way to prevent overcrowding at the shelters is, of course, fostering a found animal until a permanent home can be found for them! Fostering gets animals out of stressful shelters and leaves room for more homeless dogs to enter.
Offer Your Home And Heart To An Animal In Need
FYI: The L.A. Animal Services shelters are separate from the L.A. County shelters. You can find L.A. Animal Services’ six locations at the following addresses:
- East Valley Center – 14409 Vanowen St., Van Nuys, CA 91405
- Harbor Center – 957 N. Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
- North Central Center – 3201 Lacy Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031
- Chesterfield Square Center – 1850 W. 60th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047
- West Los Angeles Center – 11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
- West Valley Center – 20655 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311
So if you’re local or live within driving (or even flying!) distance in a city with less shelter overcrowding, consider helping out! L.A. Animal Services shelters require appointments during the week, but not on weekends.
Visit the L.A. Animal Services website for more information on available animals, hours, and volunteer opportunities. You can also call (888) 452-7381 for general assistance. Check the shelters’ Facebook and Instagram pages for features on adoptable dogs too.
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