North Central Animal Care and Control
Our Mission
Los Angeles Animal Services promotes and protects the health, safety, and welfare of animals and people. We are dedicated to creating a humane Los Angeles where every animal is treated with care and respect.
Our Story
Established in 1863, our department has evolved into one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the United States. For over 150 years, we have served the community by caring for approximately 60,000 animals annually and responding to thousands of emergency calls each year.
How We Care
We operate six award-winning animal shelters across Los Angeles, including our North Central location in Lincoln Heights. Our dedicated teams of animal care technicians, veterinarians, and registered veterinary technicians provide medical care, enrichment, and daily support to every pet in our care. We are committed to a high live-save rate, focusing on innovative, progressive programs that keep pets and families together.
Your Partner in Adoption
When you adopt from us, you gain more than just a pet; you gain a lifetime of companionship. Our adoption process is designed to ensure a joyful, lasting bond, and every dog, cat, or rabbit goes home already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Whether you are looking for a playful puppy or a wise senior, our team is here to help you find the perfect match for your family.
Make a Difference Today
Your new best friend is waiting to meet you at one of our six city shelters. We invite you to view our available animals online or visit us to begin your journey. Together, we can continue to make our city a safer, kinder place for all pets and the people who love them.
Trust Assessment
GoldRated Sep 10, 2026
Municipal ShelterPhysical Facility
Online Review Highlights
- Compassionate and helpful staff
- Efficient adoption process
- Operational friction and lack of staff responsiveness
Coverage We Reviewed
MyNewsLA.com
6/15 - Advocates Support Animal Welfare Measure Backed By Hochman - MyNewsLA.com
San Francisco Assemblyman Matt Haney and other animal welfare advocates gathered at a Lincoln Heights animal shelter Monday to promote a bill to streamline the adoption process for animals rescued from abuse and neglect cases. Assembly Bill 2344, known as the Justice for Seized Animals Act, would allow animals seized in cruelty and neglect investigations […]
Hoodline
5/18 - Los Angeles Pit Bull West Rescued After Viral Freeway Video
Viral video shows a dog chained to a pickup; West is now in shelter care and advocates are seeking fosters.
Yahoo News
5/1 - San Diego Humane Society leads mass rescue at Julian animal sanctuary
Myriad animal welfare organizations are in the middle of a mass rescue at an animal sanctuary in Julian, according to San Diego Humane Society. The full rescue operation will take several days to com...
Recent Videos
10/11 - Seven 14-week-old husky-type puppies arrived at our LA Animal Services North Central Animal Services Center earlier this week after their owners experienced a change in living circumstances. Following veterinary evaluations, all seven were determined to be healthy and available for adoption. Get ready to fall in ❤️! These sweet pups will be available to be adopted on Sunday, Oct. 11 starting at 11am at our North Central Animal Services Center located at 3201 Lacy Street, LA 90031. Meet Max A2298771, Bolt A2298772, Kiara A2298773, Princessa A2298774, Coco A2298775, Nala A2298776, and Osana A2298777, who are expected to grow into large dogs. They will thrive in homes prepared to provide plenty of daily exercise, mental stimulation, and continued training. Pets adopted from LA Animal Services are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and for LA City residents, licensed, to show that rabies vaccinations are current. Adopters also receive a Petco flyer with discounts to help make their pet adoption a success, and a VCA Healthy Start Certificate, which provides up to $250 of follow up veterinary care within the first 14 days of adoption. In addition, dogs are eligible for free dog training classes with Paws for Life K9 Rescue at their People & Pet Innovation Center in Mission Hills, CA. To see more furry friends available to adopt or foster, go to laanimalservices.com #LACityPets #adoptashelterpet #fosterashelterpet
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10/9 - Vita #A2292536 is enjoying her time in foster care! 🩷 #FosterFriday #AdoptAShelterDogMonth According to her foster family, "Vita (we’re also testing out Athena) is a big puppy who is excited for everything around her. People, dogs, cats, she wants to see them all. She’s young and still learning to manage her excitement but always friendly. She loves going on walks or runs, chewing bones, and playing fetch with her stuffies, anything to use up her energy. She’s always close by and curious to see whats happening. This beautiful girl is ready for her forever home and has lots of love to give!" If interested in adopting Vita, email ani.foster@lacity.org #LACityPets #Adopt #Foster #LosAngeles
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10/9 - Meet Miko #A2276848, a 2-year-old handsome fella ready to meet you!💚 #AdoptAShelterDogMonth According to his Adventure Buddy Day foster, Miko had a great time at Sniffspot, where he loved exploring, sniffing around, and playing fetch. He was friendly, affectionate, treat-motivated, and enjoyed a pup cup and chicken nuggets afterward. Miko was very well-behaved in the car, riding nicely in the back seat without barking or trying to get into the front. He knows “sit” and appears to be a relaxed, easygoing dog who would likely settle well into a home once he adjusts! Adopt or foster Miko from our Chesterfield Square/South LA Center today! #LACityPets #Adopt #Foster #LosAngeles
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10/8 - With nearly 220 dogs at our Chesterfield Square/South LA shelter, we are over-capacity and this means we urgently need the community’s support to find Brownie #A2279581 a loving home. Brownie must be adopted immediately! He needs to be out of the shelter by the end of day, Sunday, 10/11/26; scheduled euthanasia: Monday, 10/12/26. Please consider meeting him today as time is of the essence. Despite our pleas to adopt or foster, as well as alerting rescue partners, we will soon need to make very difficult decisions as we are out of space in our shelter. Brownie is a social butterfly who loves playing fetch, is a good listener, enjoys being groomed, and has done well in playgroups at the shelter with other dogs! Pets adopted from LA Animal Services are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped (and licensed for LA City residents). Help us find a loving home for Brownie! #LACityPets #Adopt #Foster #AdoptAShelterDogMonth #Urgent
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10/8 - If you're looking to add a little fun into your life, look no further! Meet Resuko! #A2011629 💃 #AdoptAShelterDogMonth Retsuko is a 4-year-old spayed female weighing 55 lbs. Retsuko is a friendly girl who loves playing fetch (still working on her skills 😂), has done well in playgroups with other dogs, knows her sit command, takes treats gently, and is engaged with her handler. Adopt or foster Retsuko from our North Central Center today! #LACityPets
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10/8 - Meet Angel A2296045 🤍 4 years old • 88 lbs Angel was surrendered because her owner became too elderly to continue caring for her. It’s been a big change for this sweet girl, so she’s understandably a little nervous, but underneath that uncertainty is the most loving, cuddly dog. 🥹 She absolutely loves being pet and soaking up affection, and we’re starting to see little glimpses of her goofy personality coming through. 🥰 She just needs someone who will give her the time and reassurance she deserves. Angel is such a special girl, and I can’t wait to see her feel safe and loved again 🤍 Could you be the person who helps Angel feel at home again? She’s waiting at: 📍East Valley Animal Shelter 14405 Vanowen St. Van Nuys, CA 91405 #adoptdontshop #rescuedog #adoptabledogs #dog #bordercollie
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10/6 - Buster #A2269450 had a wonderful time getting out and enjoying an adventure! 🐶 #AdoptAShelterDogMonth At 10-years-young, Buster may be a little shy when you first meet him, but once he warms up, his sweet and mellow personality shines through. He enjoys walks, is easy to handle, potty trained, and loves getting pets. He has also done well with other dogs at the shelter! Adopt or foster Buster from our Harbor Center today! #LACityPets #Adopt #Foster #LosAngeles #URGENT
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10/6 - Meet Drako #A2264204, our @abc7community #PetOfTheWeek! #AdoptAShelterDogMonth Drako is a 1.5-year-old neutered male weighing 69 lbs. Drako is a incredibly smart boy who is eager to learn and please! He already knows his sit, down, and paw commands and is treat-motivated, making him excited to learn even more. He is well-behaved, has done well with other dogs in shelter playgroups, and is an absolute love bug who enjoys spending time with people. Adopt or foster Drako from our North Central Center today! #LACityPets #Adopt #Foster #LosAngeles 📸: @_stephanie_chung_
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10/6 - Meet PETEY! This sweet-faced pupper is a total catch. He is young, fun, and totally adorable. Petey is a regular playgroup player, social and playful with other dogs at the shelter. He came to South LA as a stray dog last month and is ready to start a wonderful new life. So if you’re looking for a pawsome pooch, meet Petey the at South LA shelter. PETEY #A2294643 2 yrs old, 63 lbs, neutered male 📍South LA Animal Shelter, 1850 W. 60th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047, 📞 Tel: 888-452-7381 If you’re a rescue, please email: catherine.lee@lacity.org jasmine.poblano@lacity.org matthew.spease@lacity.org roman.rincon@lacity.org Shelter hours: Tues-Fri 8am-5pm | Sat & Sun 11am-5pm | Mon emergencies only
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10/6 - How this heat wave has us feeling! 🥵😵💫Cheese is all things PUPPY: goofy, curious and sweet! 💙 He’s learning that the outside world is safe and will need committed and patient adopters ready to put in the work with a young and impressionable dog. Great with dogs, perfect in the crate and nailing house training! #fosteringsaveslives #adoptdontshop #adoptable #Cheese💙 #dogcoalitionla
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10/4 - Did you know you can foster a dog for a day? 🐾 I met Little through Adventure Buddy Day, and we spent our time hiking, playing at the beach & sharing food and lots of kisses Saying goodbye was sad, but I’m so glad that didn’t stop me from spending time with him. He was playful, full of energy, and such good company 🤍 If you can’t commit to fostering long-term, ask your local shelter about day-foster opportunities. A few hours together can still mean a lot I can’t wait to do this again #fosteringsaveslives❤️🐶
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10/3 - Update: adopted! Meet Luna A2298497 🐆🤍 7 months • 25 lbs and growing I couldn’t pass up meeting this puppy today 🤭 Luna is a 7-month-old puppy with the sweetest, wiggliest personality. She’s incredibly affectionate, loves cuddling up next to you, and would much rather be sitting by your side than spending her days in a kennel. Luna loves treats, being pet, already knows how to sit, and is a smart girl who is eager to learn. With consistent training, plenty of exercise, and a family willing to set her up for success, she has so much potential to grow into an amazing pup 🥹 She’s still just a puppy and she deserves the chance to grow up in a loving home. ❤️ 📍East Valley Animal Shelter 14405 Van Nuys, CA 91405 #puppy #catahoulaleoparddog #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #seenequalssaved
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