The most rewarding thing about working for animal care and control is the opportunity to help people and animals. Animals touch everyone’s lives and being a resource to assist them and their pets with the many issues that arise helps make safer and happier communities. Animal shelters are essential services. Our officers must still respond…

Today the County of Los Angeles closed all County buildings to the public, including animal care centers.  As COVID-19 changes how we currently interact with each other, I’d like to tell you how DACC is responding to this challenge and how pet parents can adapt to these changes in our society. DACC remains committed to…

Assembly Bill 1553 became effective on January 1, 2020. This bill changed the language in several sections of code in California law. The word “pound” (as in dog pound) was replaced with “animal shelter.” The person in charge of the “pound” was the “poundkeeper.” Now they are the “shelter director.” A “pound officer” is now…

On January 10, 2020 California Governor Gavin Newsom released his proposed 2020-21 budget. To the wide acclaim of animal welfare advocates throughout the state, the budget includes a $50 million one-time grant for the University of California Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program to develop a grant program for animal shelters. The program will include interactive…

It’s the holiday season and sadly not everyone has the opportunity to have a home to share with their cherished family pets. People experiencing homelessness must sometimes make heart-wrenching decisions between being housed versus keeping their animals. Far too often, pet owners who lose a place to live can only find housing that does not…

Holiday season is in full effect and many are in search of the perfect present for their loved ones. Gifting friends or family members with an adorable new puppy or kitten is popular but not recommended for several reasons. Pets require a lifetime commitment, which includes time and financial demands. Unprepared new pet parents might…

On September 23, 2019, a black and silver terrier named “Mia” was brought into the County of Los Angeles Palmdale Animal Care Center (ACC)  as a stray by a Good Samaritan.  Staff at the Palmdale ACC were able to quickly identify Mia’s owner because Mia had been microchipped and the chip was registered. Calls were…

From my earliest childhood memories, all my interests and activities involved animals. My own personal pets were constant and beloved sources of joy, amusement, and companionship. At age six I began my lifelong passion for horseback riding, which I continue to this day. As I grew older, I began pet sitting and dog walking for…

I am pleased to announce that DACC has adopted the term “Socially Conscious Animal Sheltering” (SCAS) to describe its animal care philosophies and procedures. SCAS is a new term being used by forward-thinking animal welfare organizations in a response to the misleading terminology and negative consequences of “no-kill” philosophies and practices. The term “no-kill” is…

The warm weather is officially here!  Please keep in mind that your furry friends need some extra assistance to keep them cool and healthy.  Pets are extremely susceptible to heat exhaustion/heat stroke and precautions should be taken, especially while participating in outdoor activities.  You can prevent this by taking a few basic steps and watching…