LA County Animal Care & Control

Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) is an agency of the government of Los Angeles County for animal care services. The agency is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

45 municipalities in the county contract animal care services to this department. In addition, the department covers all unincorporated areas of the county, including those surrounded by or next to the City of Los Angeles. It also covers Thousand Oaks, California, located in Ventura County. Areas within the Los Angeles city limits are covered by Los Angeles Animal Services and not by the county department.

History

In 2016 the agency opened an animal shelter in Palmdale. In 2023 two journalists for the Los Angeles Times wrote that the Palmdale facility "was touted [as a place] that would relieve overcrowding and reduce the number of dogs being euthanized at the nearby Lancaster shelter."

In 2021, the county department changed the animal surrender process so that persons trying to surrender animals may be diverted to assistance programs so they may either keep their animals or they may rehome animals through alternative means.

In 2023, the Lancaster and Palmdale shelters had higher dog euthanasia rates than those of other LAACC shelters and several municipal facilities in Los Angeles County. An LA Times investigation prompted the agency to examine its rules and to add space for dogs to shelters.

Shelters

North County
South County
West County

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Contact Us". LA County Animal Care & Control. Retrieved 2026-11-10. Administrative Office 5898 Cherry Avenue Long Beach, CA 90805
  2. 1 2 "Service Areas and Jurisdictions". LA County Animal Care & Control. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  3. 1 2 Tchekmedyian, Alene; Petri, Alexandra E. (2023-12-03). "Times Investigation: 'It's hard to stomach': These shelters are euthanizing more dogs despite promises to save them". Los Angeles Times. El Segundo, California. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  4. ↑ Cosgrove, Jaclyn (2021-09-07). "'You keep Fluffy. We don't want Fluffy.' L.A. County animal shelters try a new approach". Los Angeles Times. El Segundo, California. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  5. ↑ Tchekmedyian, Alene; Petri, Alexandra E. (2023-12-05). "After Times investigation, L.A. County seeks to add kennels, review policies at animal shelters". Los Angeles Times. El Segundo, California. Retrieved 2026-11-10.