Los Angeles, April 6, 2023 – The month of April kicks off the Open Arms Challenge! LA Animal Services joins 23 organizations across the country participating in the challenge – looking at new approaches to encourage inclusivity, increase pet adoptions, foster recruitment, volunteer interest, and a welcoming environment for pets and people.

“We are thrilled to be participating in the Open Arms Challenge as we are always looking for new opportunities to further engage with the diverse communities who call Los Angeles home,” said Annette Ramirez, Interim General Manager for LA Animal Services. “As part of the challenge, we’re creating messages that encourage fostering and adopting a pet translated in the top 10 languages spoken in the City.”

Follow our month-long challenge on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and view the adoptable pets ready to go home with you!

Dogs and cats adopted from LA Animal Services join their new families already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, licensed, and microchipped, and adopters receive a VCA Healthy Start Certificate, which provides up to $250 of follow up veterinary care within the first 14 days of adoption. In addition, canine companions adopted from LA Animal Services are also eligible for free dog training classes at the Paws for Life K9 Rescue People & Pet Innovation Center in Mission Hills, CA. Contact Info@pawsforlifek9.org for more details.

Ready to welcome a furry friend to your family? There are plenty of wonderful dogs, cats, rabbits, and pocket pets who are ready to meet you and are available for adoption in our Centers. See them by going to laanimalservices.com.

Special Pet Adoption Discount Days

To encourage pet adoptions in April, reduced adoption fees will be offered:

• April 8-9: Woofies and Meow-Meows: The Paula Kent Meehan Foundation will offer reduce adoption fees for dogs by $50, and will waive cat and kitten adoption fees.
• April 15-16: Spring Fling Adoption Weekend: LA Animal Services will offer reduced adoption fees for dogs $51; puppies $75 (excluding license fee); cats: $12.50; and kittens $25.
• April 29-30: National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day Weekend: LA Animal Services will offer reduced adoption fees for dogs $51' puppies $75 (excluding license fee); cats: $12.50; kittens $25.

Can’t Adopt - You Can Still Help 



• Shelter-at-Home provides temporary shelter for lost pets in your neighborhood while posting flyers or posting the pet’s info on social media, e.g. Nextdoor, LA Animal Services Lost and Found Facebook page, Pawboost.
• Home-to-Home is a resource to help pet owners find a new home for their furry friend without taking them to a shelter.
• Donate and make a difference to help pets in LA.
• Be a part of our Share Squad and help get the word out to help LA animals find homes and create more awareness on how to keep animals safe and healthy.
• Share posts of pets available for adoption on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Nextdoor.
• Volunteer and make a difference in the lives of animals in our care.

Center Operating Hours

Our six LA Animal Services locations are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8am to 5pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, from 11am to 5pm. Appointments are required on Wednesdays and Fridays, for pet adoptions, fostering, and owner surrenders, with our Centers closed on Mondays. Sick or injured animals will be admitted without an appointment. Appointments may be scheduled by going online or by calling 1-888-452-7381.



For more information about LA Animal Services and to learn more about microchipping and licensing, visit: laanimalservices.com.

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LA Animal Services promotes and protects the health, safety, and welfare of animals and the people who love them, and is one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the United States. With six Centers across the City, LA Animal Services serves approximately 60,000 animals annually and responds to 20,000 emergency calls involving animals or people in danger. LA Animal Services is part of the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) international coalition, joining 38 municipal shelters and animal welfare organizations across the country to reimagine and transform the way shelters care for animals and their families, by offering access to resources to help keep families together; getting lost pets home quickly without having to enter the shelter system; providing food and medical assistance; and continuing to build on a strong adoption and foster program so pets find their permanent homes or are placed in foster care. Visit our link.tree for helpful links to the services and resources available to you and your companion animals. Connect with LA Animal Services and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.