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LA Animal Services Is On A Mission To Place Thousands of Animals Into Homes This Holiday Season
Dogs stand in front of a Christmas tree as people wait to have their photo taken with Santa Claus at a shopping centre.
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The Los Angeles Animal Services is working to get 3,000 pets into homes this holiday season.
The six L.A. Animal Services centers are just past halfway to their “Home for the Howlidays” goal, and they’re hoping another 1,333 dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, and other animals will be adopted, fostered, or reunited with their families by the end of January.
About the goal
Staycee Dains is the the general manager of L.A. Animal Services. She told LAist that when Mayor Karen Bass appointed her to lead the department this summer, it was clear right away that the shelters were seriously overcrowded.
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Dains said it was also obvious that the staff and volunteers are “incredibly dedicated to lifesaving.”
They’ve been trying to think of creative ways to promote adoption, and Dains said they thought this would be a great time of year to invite people to bring a new family member home.
“That goal is because we need to find homes for not only the pets that have come into the shelter, but the pets that have been in the shelter for quite some time,” she said.
3,000 pets represents the number of animals that typically come into L.A. Animal Services centers this time of year, plus the animals they’re overpopulated with, Dains noted.
To encourage people to come to the centers, adoption fees will be reduced by $50 for dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens every weekend of December.
Available pets
If you want to help L.A. Animal Services reach their “Home for the Howlidays” goal but don’t know where to start, here are some of the pets that have been up for adoption the longest.
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First up is Franco, an adult male mixed breed. This big brown brindle boy has been available for adoption through the West Los Angeles center for more than 2 years.
Then there’s Zeus, a white senior male. This gorgeous mixed breed has been available for adoption through the North Central center for more than 1 ½ years.
Say hello to Chip, an adult male mixed breed. This large, tan affectionate boy enjoys going for walks and getting lots of treats. He’s been available for adoption through the West Los Angeles center since March 2022.
If you’re more of a cat person, here’s Harley, an adult male domestic shorthair. This medium-sized feline looks quite dapper with his tuxedo coloring and has been available for adoption through the East Valley center since May 2022.
A photo from Kalimba's adoption profile through the L.A. Animal Services.
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L.A. Animal Services
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There’s also Kalimba. She’s a young adult medium-sized domestic shorthair and has been available for adoption through the West Los Angeles center for more than a year.
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Meet Michi, an adult male domestic shorthair. This small black and tan cat has been available for adoption through the Chesterfield Square / South L.A. center since July 2022.
A photo of Bill the bunny from his adoption profile through the L.A. Animal Services.
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L.A. Animal Services
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If you’re looking for a furry friend that’s a bit smaller, let me introduce you to Bill. He’s a medium black shorthair rabbit that’s been available for adoption through the West Los Angeles center for a little more than a year.
Jumping in next is Joy, a small white rabbit. This female shorthair has also been available for adoption through the West Los Angeles center for a little more than a year.
There’s also Avalanche, a white adult male rabbit. This small American breed has been available for adoption through the West Los Angeles center since Jan. 31.
If you’ve never had a rabbit as a pet before or need a little refresher, L.A. Animal Services has a thorough care guide that covers everything you need to know before you take your new friend home.
A photo of Palentena from her adoption profile through the L.A. Animal Services.
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L.A. Animal Services
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There’s also more than just dogs, cats, and rabbits available for adoption. Meet Palentena, a tan toy hamster. She’s been available for adoption through the East Valley center for about a year.
You can also take home El Bronco, a small black male guinea pig. He’s been available for adoption through the West Los Angeles center since July 29.
If fur just isn’t your thing, maybe Lee-roy Tyrone can join your family. This small female iguana has been available for adoption through the Chesterfield Square / South L.A. center for almost 6 months.
About adopting an animal
When you adopt a dog, cat, or a rabbit from one of the L.A. Animal Services centers, your new pet will come home already spayed / neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
The centers are open on Tuesdays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — no appointment necessary. The centers are closed on Mondays and city-observed holidays.
These are the six LA Animal Services centers:
- West Valley - 20655 Plummer St. Chatsworth, CA 91311
- West Los Angeles - 11361 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064
- Chesterfield Square / South L.A. - 1850 W. 60th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047
- North Central - 3201 Lacy St. Los Angeles, CA 90031
- Harbor - 957 N. Gaffey St. San Pedro, CA 90731
- East Valley - 14409 Vanowen St. Van Nuys, CA 91405
The adoption fees includes vaccinations, spaying or neutering surgery, as well as microchipping for dogs, cats and rabbits. If you live in the city of L.A., it also covers the first year license fee for dogs.
L.A. Animal Services is also hosting a dog adoption event at the Vermont Square Branch Library on Saturday, Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m.
These are the regular adoption fees on days when the $50-off “Home for the Howlidays” offer does not apply:
- Dogs 4 months and older - $102 if you live outside the city of L.A., $122 if you live in the city of L.A. (price difference is first year licensing fee)
- Puppies under 4 months old - $150
- Cats 4 months and older - $25
- Kittens under 4 months old - $50
- Rabbits - $71
- Guinea pigs, hamsters, and other small animals - $17
You’ll need to bring your driver’s license, passport, or other form of government-issued identification with your name and photo to adopt a pet. You can pay the adoption fees by cash, check, or credit card, and the name on the credit card needs to match the name on your photo I.D.
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