LA County Animal Control to Conduct Compliance Field Licensing Efforts in Palmdale

PALMDALE – Officers from the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) will be conducting field licensing enforcement in the City of Palmdale beginning on Wednesday, April 6 to ensure that residents’ dogs and cats are in compliance with mandatory licensing requirements.

“The City of Palmdale contracts with the County of Los Angeles for animal care and control services,” said Community Safety Supervisor Kelly Long. “As part of this contract, uniformed officers from the DACC will be at work in our city, making sure dogs and cats are licensed as required by law. Both state law and the municipal code require that dogs over the age of four months be licensed and have a current rabies vaccination. The County of Los Angeles officers will be canvassing the City of Palmdale to remind pet owners of these requirements and to facilitate the licensing of unregistered dogs.”

Additionally, California law requires that all dogs over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies and licensed. As of January 1, 2014, puppies may be vaccinated at three months but are not required to be vaccinated until four months of age. Securing a dog or cat license is essential to assisting animal control agencies if a pet becomes lost.

“We ask that you cooperate with these officers as they are carrying out their legally assigned duties to ensure that dogs are licensed as required by law,” said Long. “If you are not at home when an officer from the DACC visits your home, he or she will leave a call back notice. If you do not have a dog, of course you do not have to purchase a license. If your pet already has a current license, you have the option of renewing your license through the officer who visits your house. If your pet is not licensed, you are required by the State of California to obtain one.”

Residents may obtain a new license by printing the application online atwww.animalcare.lacounty.gov and mailing it to Enforcement Services (Licensing) Bureau, 12440 East Imperial Highway, 6th Floor, Norwalk, CA 90650, or byvisiting the Lancaster Animal Care Center, located at 5210 West Avenue I Lancaster, CA 93536. Residents may also renew online if their pet’s license is not delinquent at the DACC Web site, www.animalcare.lacounty.gov.

Pet owners who are not in compliance with the law will be subject to license fees, a delinquency charge equivalent to the license fee, and a $40 field enforcement fee.

“We’re encouraging residents to make sure they have their pets licensed before an animal care office comes to their door,” said Long. “This will ensure that they are not subject to the $40 field enforcement fee and possible delinquency charges.”

“One reason the City of Palmdale is such an attractive and desirable community is because our community supports the principles of responsible pet ownership, which includes enforcement of the leash law to prevent animals from running at large,” noted Long. “Your cooperation with the DACC officers will assist us in maintaining the quality of life we enjoy.”

The DACC also offers low-cost vaccination/microchips clinics (microchips are now $15, which includes an AVID registration) and low-cost assistance (for individuals who qualify) for spay and neuter surgeries. For more information about these services, please visit www.animalcare.lacounty.gov or stop by the Lancaster Animal Care Center.

“If you have any questions you may call the DACC at 562/685-2019. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 am through 5 pm,” added Long.

Video Clip: https://youtu.be/rD6dqs7owVk

Media Contact at DACC: Carlos Pineda, 562/345-0313, email:cpineda@animalcare.lacounty.gov