West Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a more humane Los Angeles by caring for and saving the lives of the animals who enter our care. We are dedicated to providing support for both ends of the leash, ensuring that pets and the people who love them can thrive together.
Our Story
Established in 1863, the Department of Animal Services has a 153-year history of serving our community. From our humble beginnings to our current role as one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the United States, we remain steadfast in our commitment to animal welfare and public safety.
How We Care
We operate six state-of-the-art animal shelters across Los Angeles, providing a safe haven for approximately 60,000 animals each year. Our facilities are staffed by dedicated animal care technicians and veterinary professionals who oversee the daily enrichment, medical treatment, and overall health of every pet in our care.
The Adopter Connection
Adoption is the beginning of a beautiful, lifelong partnership, and we are here to help you find your perfect match. When you adopt from us, your new companion comes spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, giving you the peace of mind you deserve. We take pride in helping you make a thoughtful choice, ensuring that every pet finds a home where they are cherished.
Join Us
Ready to meet your new best friend? Visit our website to browse our available pets or stop by your local shelter today to see who is waiting for you. Whether you choose to adopt, foster, or volunteer, you can make a meaningful difference in the life of an animal in need.
Trust Assessment
GoldRated Sep 21, 2026
Municipal ShelterPhysical Facility
Online Review Highlights
- Compassionate support for re-homing
- Efficient adoption process for some
- Communication breakdown and inaccessible staff
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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