Marcia Mayeda, Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2025

CONTACT: Christopher Valles, accpio@animalcare.lacounty.gov

Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control
Recognized by NACo for Innovative Community Program

The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) is proud to announce that it has been recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for its innovative “Vet@ThePark” clinics, which have made a significant impact on the community by providing accessible and affordable veterinary care.

NACo honors counties across the nation for their outstanding programs that serve and improve the quality of life for their residents. Vet@ThePark are mobile wellness clinics hosted at city and County of Los Angeles parks to provide free veterinary services and pet supplies to underserved communities. These events offer essential care such as microchipping, vaccinations, flea treatment, pet food, and other supplies to help pet owners keep their animals healthy and at home. By bringing services directly into neighborhoods, especially those impacted by emergencies or with limited access to veterinary care, Vet@ThePark helps reduce barriers and prevent pet surrenders due to financial hardship. The program is fully supported through grants and generous donations to DACC’s supporting nonprofit foundation, the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation, from community members who believe in keeping pets and families together.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from NACo,” said Director Marcia Mayeda. “The Vet@the Park clinics exemplify our commitment to ensuring that pets are treated as family members. By providing accessible veterinary care we are helping to improve the health and well-being of pets in our community, which ultimately strengthens the bond between pets and their families.”

Visit www.lacountyanimals.org to donate to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation and learn about how it helps animals served by DACC.

Additionally, DACC was recognized as an award winner for its collaboration with the Departments of Public Health, Beaches and Harbors, and Parks and Recreation on H5N1 surveillance in animals across Los Angeles County. This surveillance is critical to protect both animal and public health by monitoring for early signs of avian influenza and helping prevent its spread to other animals or humans.

For more information about the Vet@ThePark clinics or to learn more about the Department of Animal Care and Control’s programs, please visit https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/vaccinations/.

About the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC)

DACC is one of the largest animal care and control agencies in the nation, operating seven animal care centers and providing services to more than three million residents and their pets. DACC operates under the nationally recognized Socially Conscious Sheltering model to ensure the best possible outcomes for animals and the community. As a community resource center for pets and owners, DACC protects people and animals from harm, provides care for lost and unwanted animals, reunites lost pets with their families, and strives every day to move closer to its goal of finding a loving home for every adoptable pet that comes through its doors. To learn more about DACC, the resources DACC provides, and view its animals, visit https://animalcare.lacounty.gov or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). To support DACC’s efforts, please donate to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation at https://lacountyanimals.org/. To learn more about Socially Conscious Sheltering, visit https://scsheltering.org/.

About the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation

The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation supports the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control through fundraising which supports spay and neuter programs, pet adoptions, public education, disaster response, and animal welfare. Many of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts have enabled the department to enhance the care given to animals in the County Animal Care Centers. To learn more, visit lacountyanimals.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.