Animal Care Services

Dogs and Cats

The City contracts with the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Agency to provide all animal care and sheltering services for the City of Palmdale. Please visit the Los Angeles Animal Care and Control website for services to find answers to Frequently Asked Questions, or if you need to request service.

Pet Licensing

All dogs and cats are required to be licensed and vaccinated in the City of Palmdale. Learn more about Pet Licensing and why it's important.

California law requires that all dogs over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies and licensed through the local animal care and control agency. City code reflects these same requirements.

Spay / Neuter/Microchip

Spay/neuter and microchipping is mandatory in the City of Palmdale

Unsterilized dogs and cats create a number of problems for both residents and animals in Palmdale. The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control is overwhelmed with unwanted animals, receiving approximately 70,000 animals each year. 

Unplanned litters contribute to these numbers as there are not enough available homes to absorb this surplus. Despite strong efforts to place these pets into new homes and reunite lost pets with their owners, there are still not enough adoptive homes available. It is imperative that we reduce the number of animals flooding our animal care centers, and the best way to do that is ensure all pets are spayed or neutered.

Title 10 Ordinance

For these reasons, the City adopted Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code in October 2017 (6.04.010 Adoption of Los Angeles County animal control ordinance), requiring all cats and dogs over four months of age to be spayed or neutered (Los Angeles County Code §10.20.350). Unaltered dogs and cats over four months of age will need an unaltered dog or cat license. Additionally, dogs and cats over four months of age are required to be implanted with an identifying microchip (LACC §10.20.185).

Low Cost Spay / Neuter Program for City of Palmdale residents

Residents served by the incorporated City of Palmdale in zip codes 93550, 93551, 93552 and those assisting the community cats (TNR) in these areas, are able to apply and receive low-cost spay/neuter services. This program is made possible by Measure AV.”

  • Must be able to show proof of residency in zip codes 93550, 93551 and 93552 by providing a valid government issued ID with current address and a utility bill in their name.
  • Proof of pet ownership, such as a vaccine record, veterinarian visit, or other documentation, is required.
  • Animals must have a current rabies vaccine, or one will be given at the owners expense.
  • Owner will be responsible for pain medication and cone, if needed.
  • Community Cats (TNR) are eligible with volunteer registration required.

To make an appointment visit www.karmarescue.org/palmdale or call 310-512-RUFF (7833)

Low Cost Spay / Neuter

Low cost spay/neuter options are available. Please visit the Los Angeles Animal Care and Control website for more information.

www.animalcare.lacounty.gov/spay-and-neuter/

Microchip

Microchipping can be done through the Palmdale Animal Care Center or your veterinarian.

Pet Vaccination

California state law requires that all dogs older than four months of age be currently vaccinated against rabies. Los Angeles County and City Code requires rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats.

The Animal Care and Control Department offers low-cost vaccinations for dogs and cats.

Residential Dog & Cat Limits

The City of Palmdale has adopted 10.20.038 of the Los Angeles County Code as it pertains to residential dogs and cats limits, based on single family residential homes. The limits are reduced to two dogs and two cats in multifamily housing.

Dogs

Up to four dogs may be kept at any residence without an animal facility license, provided the dogs' owner or custodian licenses each individual dog and complies with the mandatory spay and neuter program for dogs.

Cats

Up to five cats may be kept at any residence without an animal facility license, provided the cats' owner or custodian licenses each individual cat, has each cat spayed or neutered, and keeps all cats primarily indoors.

Contact Us

For more information please visit the Los Angeles Animal Care and Control website or call the Palmdale Animal Care Center at 661-575-2888.