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ADOPTIONS
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1) Question: What does it cost to adopt a dog or cat from one of the six Los Angeles County Animal Shelters?
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1) Answer: Dogs and puppies cost about $100. This includes the initial vaccinations, a microchip including national registration, spaying and neutering costs, a 7 day exchange and a free veterinary medical examination at a participating veterinary office. This fee does not include the dog licensing fee which is $20 to $25 (spayed or neutered dog rate) for dogs residing in areas serviced by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control.
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Cats and kittens are about $90. This includes the initial vaccinations, a microchip including national registration, spaying and neutering costs, a 7 day exchange and a free veterinary medical examination at a participating veterinary office. This fee does not include the cat licensing fee which is $5 (spayed or neutered cat rate) for cats residing in all county unincorporated areas and several cities serviced by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control. All cats deserve the protection a license tag provides..
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The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation proudly offers its SAVE program to make spay and neuter surgeries more affordable by paying for the cost of surgery for animals that have been at the shelter a little longer or those with special needs. SAVE is funded solely through donations to the Foundation.
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2) Question: Are any of your dogs or cats free of charge
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2) Answer: No. There is an adoption fee with each animal placed into a new home from any of the six Los Angeles County Animal Care Centers
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3) Question: If I leave a deposit, will you hold an animal for me?
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3) Answer: No. In the past when we took deposits, often the interested person changed his or her mind and we lost the chance to place the animal with another interested party. You can however, let the shelter staff know that you are interested in adopting a particular animal and if you are first on the list at the time of adoption, you have the opportunity to adopt that pet.
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4) Question: If the dog or cat just doesn’t work out or gets sick, will you refund my money?
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4) Answer: We cannot refund your money. However, a 7 day trial period is offered to you. If for any reason the adoption just doesn’t work out, we’ll gladly allow you to exchange the pet for another one.
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LOST PETS
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1) Question: Where do I look for a lost pet?
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1) Answer: It is very important that you personally visit the animal shelter that services your city or area. Then visit other shelters nearby. When you arrive at the shelter, be certain to ask to see all of the found animals, including found animals that are being held in the hospital or observation wards. Ask about any injured animals that may have been taken to a private veterinarian or that were picked up sadly, dead off the street.
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2) Question: Can I leave information regarding my lost pet at the animal shelter?
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2) Answer: Yes. Each County Animal Shelter has a lost and found bulletin board for posting such information. In addition, our shelter staff and shelter volunteers work hard at trying to match up lost pets with their owners.
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MICROCHIPPING
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1) Question: Do you microchip animals before they are adopted?
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1) Answer: All animals adopted from all six County Animal Shelters receive an Avid microchip before they are released into their new home. The only exception are animals that are too young and are released on a health waiver.
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2) Question: Do you scan animals for microchips?
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2) Answer: All six County Animal Shelters scan for microchips several times, including officers scanning for microchips in the field, when animals are entering the animal shelter, before being spayed/neutered or released to a new home, before being euthanized.
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3) Question: Can I purchase a microchip for my own animal at one of the six County Animal Shelters?
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3) Answer: Microchip implantation and registration is available to all qualified dog owners FREE of charge thanks to a generous donation from the Found Animal Foundation. As a dog owner you are qualified to participate in the Microchip Program if you reside in an area that is serviced by Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control. You may obtain a free microchip and registration at any Los Angeles County animal shelter. Please contact your local shelter for the current microchip clinic schedule
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RELINQUISHING OF OWNER/STRAY ANIMALS
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1) Question: Will it cost me anything to give you my pet?
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1) Answer: If we pick up the animal at your home, there is generally a fee of about $50 for a small, domesticated pet. However, if you bring your pet directly to your local shelter, the fee is only about $10-$25 for most pets. Additional fees apply for large animals.
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2) Question: How long will you hold my pet?
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2) Answer: We make every effort to give all adoptable animals every opportunity to be placed into new homes. Although we do not have a specific time limit in which we hold owner released animals, the minimum time period a pet will be held is four days, not including the day of impoundment (unless the pet is irremediably suffering and must be euthanized for humane reasons.) In many cases, pets are held for adoption for weeks or even months if space allows. Owners surrendering their pets can assist in the successful adoption of that pet by providing as much information as possible about it to shelter staff. This information will assist us in placing that pet in the most suitable home for its physical and behavioral needs. Some of the information to provide includes the animal’s medical history, housebroken status, and tolerance of other animals and children.
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3) Question: What happens if you don’t find a home for my pet?
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3) Answer: The animal will be humanely euthanized by an injection. The same procedure used by veterinarians.
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4) Question: Will you call me if you can’t find a new home for my pet?
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4) Answer: It is difficult for our office staff to call the previous owner if we can’t place the animal into a new home. We do provide the owner with an identification number which the owner can refer to when calling our office to check on the pet.
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SPAYING AND NEUTERING
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1) Question: Do you spay and neuter animals at the County animal shelters?
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1) Answer: No. The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control provides spaying and neutering services for shelter pets only. Please call your private veterinarian for spay/neuter information for your pet.
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2) Question: Why should I have my pet spayed or neutered?
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2) Answer: To prevent bringing unwanted cats/dogs into the world. Your pet will be healthier for it as spaying and neutering prevents certain diseases and cancers. And, spaying and neutering can save you money in pet licensing fees.
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3) Question: How soon after my dog/cat has a litter can I have her "fixed"?
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3) Answer: Your dog or cat can be spayed two weeks after the puppies or kittens have stopped feeding off of their mother or approximately 8 to 10 weeks.
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DOG LICENSES
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1) Question: What is a dog license for?
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1) Answer: It is the best insurance to getting your dog returned to you in case he or she becomes lost. It lets us know if the dog is currently vaccinated against rabies. Revenue received from your purchased license helps the department of animal care & control continue to provide quality animal care and control services 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
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2) Question: I lost my license, how can I get another one and what will it cost me?
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2) Answer: A duplicate tag can be obtained by mail for only $5. Contact the County’s Pet Licensing Office at (562) 728-4706 for more information.
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3) Question: At what age or when do I have to purchase a license?
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3) Answer: A license is required for all dogs at 4 months of age. If you adopt or get a new dog, you are allowed up to 15 days to purchase a license for your new pet.
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4) Question: Do you have a special dog license rate for senior citizens?
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4) Answer: Yes. Please see License Fees for more information.
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5) Question: Can I come to your office to purchase a dog license? Do I need to bring my dog or any papers with me?
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5) Answer: Yes. Licenses are available at all six Los Angeles County Animal Care Centers and County sponsored low-cost vaccination clinics. In addition, licenses are also available at some city halls. It is not necessary to bring your dog with you. Please do bring the current rabies vaccination certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if applicable. Also, if you are a senior citizen applying for the reduced senior rate license, please bring proof of age.
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6) Question: Why do I have to buy a license? My dog never leaves the yard.
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6) Answer: Licenses are required for all dogs four months of age and older. This is a state law that applies to all dogs including dogs that stay in the house and dogs that never leave the yard.
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MEDICAL VACCINATIONS
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1) Question: How old must my dog be before he/she needs a rabies shot?
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1) Answer: Dogs need their first rabies shot at 4 months of age.
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2) Question: Where can I get a rabies vaccination for my pet?
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2) Answer: Contact your private veterinarian. Additionally, Los Angeles County holds many low cost vaccination clinics each year.
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3) Question: How long is a rabies shot good for?
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3) Answer: Rabies vaccinations are good in adult dogs for 3 years. Puppies need to be vaccinated at 4 months of age, again within 12 months and then revaccinated. Contact your veterinarian for more information on vaccinations.
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4) Question: What other vaccinations are necessary to keep my pet healthy?
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4) Answer: Dogs need a 6 in 1 vaccination, also known as a DHLPP, annually. This vaccination includes Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus.
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Cats need a 4 in 1 vaccination annually. This vaccination includes Feline Viral Rhinotacheitis, Calici, Panleukopenia
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Other vaccinations are recommended for other areas, environments, etc. Contact your private veterinarian for more information on keeping your pet healthy.
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MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS
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1) Question: What is your address?
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1) Answer: Los Angeles County has six Animal Care Centers. They are:
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Downey Shelter 11258 S. Garfield Ave. Downey, CA 90242
(562) 940-6898
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Carson Shelter 216 W. Victoria Ave. Carson, CA 90248
(310) 523-9566
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Baldwin Park Shelter 4275 N. Elton Ave. Baldwin Park, CA 91706
(626) 962-3577
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Lancaster Shelter 5210 W. Ave I, Lancaster CA 93536
(661) 940-4191
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Castaic Shelter 31044 N. Charlie Cyn Rd., Castaic, CA 91384
(661) 257-3191 or (818) 367-8065
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Agoura Shelter 29525 Agoura Rd., Agoura, CA 91301
(818) 991-0071
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2) Question: What are your shelter hours?
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2) Answer:
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LA County: Downey Shelter
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed Holidays
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LA County: Carson Shelter
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed Holidays
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LA County: Baldwin Park Shelter
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed Holidays
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LA County: Castaic Shelter
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed Holidays
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LA County: Agoura Shelter
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed Holidays
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LA County: Lancaster Shelter
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed Holidays
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3) Question: How do you put animals to sleep?
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3) Answer: When it is necessary to "put an animal to sleep," it is done by an injection. The same way it is done by private veterinarians. Only shelter veterinarians and certified personnel have the authority to euthanize an animal.
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4) Question: What do you do with your dead animals?
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4) Answer: Our dead animals are picked up and disposed of by an animal disposal service.
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5) Question: Do you board animals?
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5) Answer: No. We do not have the space to board privately owned pets. Check your telephone book under boarding kennels.
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6) Question: Do you give shots to all of the animals in the shelters?
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6) Answer: Yes. Every dog and cat is vaccinated against common animal diseases when the animal enters the shelter.
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