Keep Pets Safe

With the first winter storm of the season arriving in Southern California, LA Animal Services reminds pet owners that being prepared and ready will help you, your family, and your pets stay safe in an emergency.

• Stay indoors in inclement weather. If not being asked to evacuate, stay indoors, and keep pets inside, when possible.

Ensure your pets are part of your family emergency plan. View the following tips to ensure you and your pets are safe and prepared for emergencies and evacuations:

• Make sure your pet is wearing a City dog license tag with up-to-date identification and is microchipped. Your dog should have a current City license, and your cat should be wearing a name tag with your contact information. Your dog, cat, bunny or horse’s microchip should be registered with your correct contact information. If you have moved, or changed phone numbers contact your microchip company to update your pet’s chip immediately. If you and your animal are separated, proper identification will help reunite the family! You can have your pet microchipped at any of our six shelters for $15.
   
• Create copies of important documents. A copy of your pet's records such as vaccination records, microchip information, photos of your pet, your contact information, friends/relatives contact information, any notes on feeding, medication and behavior should be kept offsite with a friend or family member, in Cloud storage. Tape a copy to a portable kennel.
   
• Train your pet to be comfortable in a portable kennel. If an emergency happens or you have to evacuate, this will help your pet feel safe and make it easier to transport them.
   
• Prepare an emergency kit. Put together a backpack or a rolling bag of emergency supplies (to last a week) for your pet such as food and water, treats, medications, toys and blankets. Make sure that perishable items are replaced every few months.
   
• Be ready to relocate pets, if necessary. Have crates and extra supplies on hand for quick movement of pets – making sure you have proper equipment for your furry friends to ride in the car (carriers, harnesses, pet seat belts, etc.).
   
• Find a safe place to stay ahead of time in case you have to evacuate. Identify hotels inside and outside your area that accept pets during emergency situations. If you cannot take your furry family member with you, identify boarding facilities nearby and outside of your area where you can take your pet. Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date so that they can easily be admitted to pet hotels or boarding.
   

Emergency Preparedness for Horses and Large Animals

• Make sure your horse is identifiable with a bracelet and microchip. An ID bracelet can be purchased online or you can make your own with your contact information. Place the bracelet round the horse’s back foot. A microchip can be scanned and easily locate you through a database. The odds will be much better for reuniting you and your horse!
   
• Plan for an evacuation. Train your horse to load into a trailer.
   
• Identify alternate ways that you can trailer and/or walk your horse(s) to nearby stables or other designated safety zones.
   
• Pre-arrange for boarding at stables outside the City of Los Angeles, if possible. 
   
• Have a surplus of feed and water available.
   
• Keep a leather halter near the corral that’s easy to find for emergency responders in case you are not able to evacuate your horses yourself. A nylon halter is not recommended because it can cause serious burns.
   

Finding Your Lost Pet

Should you and your pet become separated, utilize Petco Lost Love and other social media platforms for a happy reunion, like LA City Lost and Found Pets, Nextdoor.com, or Pawboost.com where you can upload a photo and description of your pet. You may also use the Lost Pet Search on the LA Animal Services website.

The six LA Animal Services Centers are open Tuesdays through Fridays, from 8am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sundays, from 11am to 5pm. Centers are closed on Mondays and City-observed holidays.

LA Animal Services in the Field

LA Animal Services Animal Control Officers are ready to respond to any evacuation or rescue in the event of any incident in the community.

For more information about LA Animal Services and tips to keep pets and people safe, visit laanimalservices.com/emergency-preparedness.

Stay Up-to-Date on the City's Rainstorm Updates

• The National Weather Service is providing updated weather information at www.weather.com.
• For the latest storm updates and City of Los Angeles responses, go to: LACity.org.