South Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center
Our Mission
Los Angeles Animal Services is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of both animals and people. We work every day to create a more humane Los Angeles where every pet is cherished.
Our History
Founded in 1863, our department has spent over 150 years growing alongside the city we serve. Today, we stand as one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the United States, committed to providing compassionate care for the approximately 60,000 animals that enter our doors annually.
How We Help
We operate six animal shelters across the city, featuring dedicated teams of animal care technicians and veterinary professionals. Our care model combines professional shelter support, a world-class Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team, and a robust community-focused approach that includes fostering, pet food pantries, and programs like Home to Home to help keep pets and families together.
Your Partner in Adoption
Adopting a pet is a joyful, life-changing decision, and we are here to ensure you find the perfect companion for your family. When you adopt from us, your new best friend comes already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, giving you peace of mind as you begin your life together.
Take the Next Step
Are you ready to meet your new best friend? We invite you to view all our currently available dogs, cats, and rabbits through our online pet search or visit us in person at one of our six locations to start your adoption journey. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the animals who need it most.
Trust Assessment
GoldRated Sep 27, 2026
Municipal ShelterPhysical Facility
Online Review Highlights
- Compassionate and friendly staff
- Efficient adoption and vaccination services
- Operational friction and unresponsiveness
Coverage We Reviewed
Times of San Diego
Improves Trust
5/1 - 'Mass rescue' underway at Julian sanctuary to save hundreds of cats, dogs, farm animals
The Sheriff’s Department and Humane Law Enforcement served a search warrant at the property and found hundreds of dogs, cats and horses.
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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