Local Vets & Shelters

Local Veterinarians

Beverly Hills Small Animal Hospital

Dr. John Winters, Dr. Ford Suehiro & Dr. Richard Keagy

353 N. Foothill Drive – Beverly Hills, CA 90210

(310) 276-7113

Dr. Shipp’s Animal Hospital

351 Foothill Road – Beverly Hills, CA 90210

(310) 550-0101

VCA Miller Robertson Animal Hospital

Dr. Walter Cailleteau, Dr. Lomond & Dr. Michael Miller

8807 Melrose Avenue – West Hollywood, CA 90069

(310) 657-7050

Melrose La Brea Animal Hospital

Dr. Edd Jordan

7116 Melrose Avenue – Los Angeles, CA

(323) 937-2334

TLC Veterinary Centers, Inc.

8725 Santa Monica Blvd. – West Hollywood, CA 90069

(OPEN 24 HOURS)

(310) 859-4852

Dr. Liz Friedman

House Calls!

myanimaldoc@sbcglobal.net

(323) 314-8536

Laurel Pet Hospital

7970 Santa Monica Blvd. – West Hollywood, CA 90046

Dr. Meredith Rettinger (cats)

(323) 654-7060

Local Shelters

Los Angeles City Animal Shelters- (888)-4LA-PET1

North Central: 3201 Lacy St., LA 90031 

South Central: 1850 W. 60th St., LA 90047 

Harbor: 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro 90731 

West LA: 11361 W. Pico Blvd., LA 90064 

East Valley: 14409 Vanowen St., Van Nuys 91405

West Valley:20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth 91311

Los Angeles County Animal Shelters

Animal Shelter 1: (562) 940-6898

11258 S. Garfield Ave., Downey 90242

Animal Shelter 2: (310) 523-9566

216 W. Victoria St., Gardena 90248

Animal Shelter 3: (626) 962-3577

4275 N. Elton Ave., Baldwin Park 91706

Animal Shelter 4: (661) 940-4191

5210 W. Ave I, Lancaster 93536

Animal Shelter 5: (661) 257-3191 or (818) 367-80653

1044 N.Charlie Canyon Rd., Castaic 91384

Animal Shelter 6: (818) 991-00712

9525 Agoura Rd., Agoura 91301

Shelter Myths

Myth 1: All of the pets at animal shelters have something wrong with them

A: Walk into any animal care center and you’ll likely find a variety of dogs from Chihuahuas to Labradors to Beagles. Sadly, many of these wonderful pets are relinquished to animal care centers through no fault of their own One of the main reasons that animals are given up is because their owners are no longer able to provide the proper care; perhaps this is due to financial hardship, a move to a new home, illness or death of the owner, or a change in lifestyle. In all of these situations, the animal is relinquished for reasons unrelated to their health, temperament or behavior. Keep in mind that shelters will not adopt out animals with untreatable or serious behavioral issues.

Myth 2: Going to the shelter or pound is sad and an unpleasant experience

A: We actually prefer the phrase ‘animal care center’ to define shelters in our communities. That’s because many municipalities or SPCAs have redefined animal sheltering with the public and animal’s comfort in mind. At your local animal care center you’ll likely find staff and volunteers working together to rehabilitate sick or injured animals, hosting adoption events or distributing humane education materials. Modern animal care centers are designed with bright, cheerful colors, many with grooming suites to increase an pet’s chance for adoption or play yards used to train and socialize dogs.

Myth 3: They only have cats and dogs.

A: Not so! Many animal care centers have rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, turtles, snakes, and some centers even have farm animals available for adoption! If you’re looking for a companion other than a dog or cat, check your local adoption center, and search online on PetFinder.com or AdoptaPet.com. For the same reasons that dogs and cats end up in adoption centers, other companion animals do as well.

Myth 4: The people at the adoption center don’t know anything about the individual animals, so how can they help me find the right pet?

A: Most animal care centers have several methods of discovering the animal’s true personality and determining what type of home would be best. When people surrender their pets, the shelter staff takes the time to ask questions about the animals personality, behavior, and health. Animals are observed by staff and volunteers during their stay, and often more formal behavior and health evaluations are conducted. And don’t forget to chat with volunteers! Often times it’s the volunteers who have the chance to spend the most time with individual animals and can help match you up with your new best friend!

Myth 5: I really want a purebred, and I’ll never be able to find that at my local adoption center.

A: According to several studies, up to 25% of animals at shelters are purebreds. And owners of purebreds can experience the same hardships that cause them to give up their pets (financial, personal, medical, etc), resulting in purebreds ending up at adoption centers. (And not just purebred dogs, but purebred cats, and exotic animals, too!)