Friends of Culver City Animals

Culver City does not currently have its own local Animal Control Officer. When you encounter an animal-related problem, (such as a dead animal or a stray), or need an animal-related service, (such as dog licensing) in Culver City, please call the appropriate authorities. Culver City currently contracts with the Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control for all field and sheltering services.

Until Culver City has its own city-based Animal Control Officer, start by calling the Los Angeles County/Carson Shelter at (310) 523-9566. If there is a dog attack, call the Culver City Police Department at (310) 837-1221. Please do not call 911 unless there is a threat to human life.

Culver City does not have an animal shelter. If you are looking for a lost animal, you must go in person to the Los Angeles County/Carson Shelter, located at 216 W. Victoria Street in Carson (two blocks east of Figueroa & 190th). Only you can identify your animal. This shelter takes in thousands of animals a year. Do not call to ask if they have your animal; you must go and look. Some, but not all, animals in the shelter are shown on the County website. It is imperative that you go to the Carson Shelter in person to determine whether your pet is there.

The daily Live/Dead animal log, in the Carson shelter lobby, is a record of the animals picked up by the County. You should examine that log to see if an animal described as similar to yours has been picked up. Ask shelter staff to show you where to find the Live/Dead animal log.

Ask a kennel attendant to take you to any area where your animal may be, such as observation, new strays, and clinic. Be patient but persistent.

The closest Los Angeles City shelter is located at 11950 Missouri Avenue in West Los Angeles. The cross street is Bundy. LA City Animal Services covers an area adjacent to Culver City and may have picked up your animal in that area. The telephone number for the West Los Angeles City Shelter is (888) 452-7381, ext. 144. You can also check the South Los Angeles shelter at 3612 Eleventh Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90018, (888) 452-7381, ext. 142.

Keep your veterinarian’s phone number in an easily accessible place for use in emergencies.

Without identifying information, pets separated from their human companions cannot be reunified with their families. To help resolve these issues, Culver City has launched Project ARF—Culver City’s new in-house licensing program. By July 1, 2007, all dogs must be licensed.

Animal Abandonment: Anyone who abandons an animal is subject to a $500 fine and/or up to six months in jail. (California Penal Code Sec. 597S).

Backyard Breeder -- Dog Breeding License Required: Any person, except for someone having a valid kennel license who, for pay or other compensation, breeds a female dog must obtain an animal breeding permit. The permit fee is $125. In order to prevent the over-breeding of animals, each permit authorizes the whelping of no more than one litter per female dog in any 12-month period and no more than one litter per domestic household in any 12-month period. (Los Angeles County Code Title 10, Sec. 10.20.045 and 10.90.010).

Barking Dogs: Any pet owner or custodian who allows a dog to bark continuously or for an extended period of time in a manner that annoys the neighbors and disturbs the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood may be guilty of allowing a public nuisance and punishable by a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1000 and/or six months in jail. (California Penal Code 373A and L. A. County Code Sec. 10.40.065)

Confining Animals in a Car: Anyone who leaves or confines an animal in an unattended vehicle that endangers the health or well-being of the animal may be guilty of either an infraction or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. (California Penal Code 597.7)

Dangerous Dogs: Dogs that constitute a public menace may be impounded and removed from the custody of their owner. The Department may file a petition with the Municipal Court to determine the disposition of an animal considered to be dangerous. The owner of such an animal may be fined and forced to give up or dispose of his dog. (County Code Sections 10.37.020. 10/37.040 - 10.37.150)

Dogs In Open Vehicles: It is illegal to transport any dog in or on the back or bed of any open truck or other open vehicle while traveling on any county road, street, highway, lane or alley. Violation may result in citation, court appearance and fines of up to $250 per incident. EXCEPTION: Dogs may be transported if each animal is cross-tethered securely or the sides of the open vehicle are built up to a height of 46 inches (3-feet, 10-inches) (Vehicle Code Sec. 23117)

Inhumane Treatment: State Penal Code Sec. 597 and County Code Sec. 10.12.160 forbid the abusing, mistreatment, torturing and subjecting any animal to needless suffering. These laws provide that no animal may be deprived of proper food, water or shelter. Violation of these laws can result in felony charges. Please report any case of inhumane animal treatment or neglect to your local animal control agency.

The Leash Law: It is not permissible to let your dog run at large day or night, with or without a license (County Code Title 10, Section 10.32.010).

Yearly Licensing Requirements: State law and county ordinances require that a dog license be purchased every year and be securely fastened to the dog’s collar. Licenses are required at four months of age or older, even for dogs that never leave a house or yard. Failure to license your dog may result in citations, a court appearance and fines (Calif. Health and Safety Code Sec. 1920, Calif. Food and Agriculture Code Sec. 30502 and County Code Sec. 10.20.190). Cat licenses are also required in all county unincorporated areas and several contract cities.

Providing Adequate Food And Water: All pet owners are required by law to provide their animals with adequate food and water. Failure to comply with this humane pet care measure is a violation of California Penal Code Sec. 597E and County Code Title 10, Sec. 10.40.010.

Providing Proper Shelter: A dog must be provided access to shelter from extremes of heat or cold and rain at all times. (Calif. Penal Code Sec.597A and County Code Title 10, Sec. 10.40.010)

Running At Large: No person who owns or has charge of a dog may allow the animal to run at large. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when out of their yards. Violation may result in a citation, court appearance and a fine of up to $250. (County Code Title 10, Sec. 10.32.010)

Tethering Dogs: It is illegal to tether a dog to any stationary object, with certain exceptions. (Health & Safety Code, Sec. 122335)

Vaccination Requirements: Rabies vaccinations are required for all dogs 4 months of age or older. Failure to comply may result in a citation and a court appearance. Vaccinations must be valid for the entire licensing period. (Calif. Health and Safety Code, Sec. 1920 and County Code Title 10, Sec. 10.20.220)

• Low cost vaccinations –
Centinela Pet Feed & Supply – call the store nearest you for schedule of low cost vaccination clinics
• Low cost spay/neuter and vaccinations –
Value Vet – 11314 W. Pico, Los Angeles, CA 90064,
(310) 444-3114
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PEST CONTROL (LOS ANGELES COUNTY WEST VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT)

What is a Vector?
" Vector" means any animal capable of transmitting the causative agent of human disease or capable of producing human discomfort or injury, including, but not limited to, mosquitoes, flies, other insects, ticks, mites, and rats, but not including any domesticated animal. (Also known as pest control.) The City of Culver City is in the Los Angeles County West Vector Control District.

To register a complaint about:

Visit http://www.lawestvector.org/ to receive information regarding: Africanized Honeybees, Mosquitoes, West Nile Virus, and Encephalitis, Ticks and Lyme Disease.
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The National Animal Control Association (NACA) provides training and information for animal control professionals. "NACA's purpose is to preserve the Human/Animal Bond by insisting on RESPONSIBLE ANIMAL OWNERSHIP."

Animal Sheltering Magazine is published by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). It is intended for animal care and control professionals and other individuals who care about animal protection, sheltering and control. You do not have to be a member of The HSUS to subscribe to the magazine or view archived articles.

The California Animal Control Directors Association (CACDA) is a nonprofit corporation composed of directors and managers of state animal control associations. The purpose of CACDA is to work with all agencies and associations for the betterment of the animal control profession.
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1. Take digital photos of impounded animals (except wildlife) and post them on the applicable city or county web site along with a description of the animal to assist owners looking for lost pets.

6. Seize dangerous or vicious dogs and present information at hearings on their disposition.

7. Identify locations where a sign is needed to educate the public, such as areas where animal abandonment is an ongoing problem, to help reduce the number of animals impounded in the future.

9. Patrol regularly to minimize complaints of animals in violation of leash or pooper-scooper laws.

10. Offer temporary ID tags and a written warning, or issue citations for repeat offenders.

11. Inspect pet shops and other animal-related businesses (including temporary animal exhibitions) on a complaint basis.

14. Investigate reports of neglect or abuse (cruelty or humane investigations) and mediate disputes where treatment of a neighbor’s animal is a serious concern, but not technically illegal.

15. Work with other city employees to minimize animal abandonment throughout the city.

16. Work with the local police and fire departments on calls involving animals (for example, assist residents who need help as a result of fire or medical emergency, remove animals from crime scenes and assist in natural disasters or large-scale emergencies).

18. Work with volunteers on developing and presenting humane education programs to schools and community groups.

21. Hold low-cost rabies vaccination clinics with support from local veterinarians and volunteers.

24. Show a deep concern for public safety and a sincere compassion for all the animals in the community.

26. Display to the community an attitude of protecting animals from people, as well as people from animals.

27. Foster humane treatment of all animals.

29. Prepare appropriate reports.

30. Immediately transport an injured animal of any kind to a local contract veterinarian and do follow-up as needed.

32. Contact owners immediately and return animals to owners as soon as possible, issuing citations as applicable (known as “Return in the Field”).
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In nearly all communities, owners of dogs are required to license their dogs. In nearly all communities, these fees do not cover the full cost of the community’s animal control operation. Money from the General Fund is used to subsidize the animal control program, and to insure an adequate level of service for the community. Even LA County’s animal control department uses funds from the county’s General Fund.

Animal Control is "control of all animals," not just dogs, and is used by more people than those who purchase dog licenses. From 1997 to 2006, only about one-third of the animals impounded from Culver City were dogs.

Those who believe that the community’s animal control program should be funded only by dog licenses should consider: who benefits from animal control?

• Who benefits from having dead skunks, raccoons, and possums picked up promptly?
• Who benefits from having cats, birds, rabbits, etc. returned when they inadvertently get lost?
• Who benefits from having pet stores inspected to prevent the spread of diseases such as salmonella in turtles?
• Who benefits from having dogs vaccinated against rabies?
• Who benefits from having "pooper scooper" and leash laws enforced?
• Who benefits from humane education presentations in schools, (required by state law)?

• Who pays when a child is attacked by a loose, dangerous animal?
• Who pays when a driver swerves to avoid hitting an animal, and causes an accident?
• Who pays when there is no effective program for dealing with wildlife and residents take matters into their own hands?
• Who pays when an irresponsible dog owner lets the dog bark non-stop?
• Who pays when a person abandons an animal they can no longer care for, believing the animal will be more likely to find a better home on the streets than in the shelter?
• Who pays when a distraught pet owner takes days off work, week after week, to search shelters and the city streets for a lost pet?
• Who pays when a resident takes in stray animals, more than they can care for, because they believe the conditions at the shelter are unacceptable?

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