Animal Care and Control

LA County Department of Animal Care and Control

The City of Alhambra partners with the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) to address animal services for our City.  

DACC provides the following services: pet adoptions, pet license renewal, stray sheltering services, animal facility licensing, and microchip registration.  DACC is one of the largest and most progressive animal control agencies in the United States and provides animal services for the City of Alhambra from their Downey Animal Care Center location.

LA County - Downey Animal Care Center

‍11258 South Garfield Avenue
Downey, CA 90242
+1 (562) 940-6898 (All incoming calls handled by the DACC Communication Center)
(dacc.care/1ALH-DACC-Service-Location)

Driving Directions:

  • North/South: Exit the Long Beach 710 Freeway at Imperial Highway. 
  • The Animal Care Center is located on Garfield Avenue, one block South of Imperial, East of the Long Beach Freeway.
  • East/West: Exit the Glen Anderson Freeway (105) at Garfield, then go North on Garfield to the Animal Care Center.

Hours of Operation

‍Visits to the Care Centers between the hours of 2pm - 5pm DO NOT require an appointment every day EXCEPT Wednesday, when visiting hours will be 2pm-7pm. 
Morning visits from 10 am-12 pm daily except Wednesdays are by appointment only. 
(dacc.care/1ALH-Make-Appointment) 


Services

Through our partnership with DACC, the residents of Alhambra receive these benefits:

  • Pet License Management:  All dogs in Alhambra must be licensed.   Domestic cats can be licensed.   Please visit the Department’s website to learn more about how to license your pet(s) or to apply for a license online
  • Lost Pet:
    1. Visit the DACC “If You Lost Your Pet” page for various resources and tips for locating your lost pets!
    2. The City of Alhambra does not require mandatory microchip, but microchipping is an important method for returning pets to their proper homes, when lost.  
  • Found A Pet: DACC provides resources and tips on what you can do if you find a pet.
  • Adoption Services via all seven countywide animal care centers that shelter animals for adoption. Most of our animals are either strays or pets turned in by owners who are no longer able to keep them. The many benefits of adopting from a County Animal Care Center include low‑cost spaying/neutering, a free veterinary checkup, the peace of mind knowing that your new pet has received its initial vaccinations against contagious diseases, and the satisfaction of having saved the life of a shelter animal.
  • Community Outreach via vaccination, microchip, and spay/neuter events.
  • Low cost spay & neutering and low cost microchipping (referral to local vets): By spaying or neutering your pet, you are helping solve the problem of pet overpopulation, protecting your pet from potential harm, and ensuring a safer community. Please visit the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control website to learn more about the importance of spaying and neutering your pet and to find resources near you.
  • Enforce local and state animal ordinances: Please visit the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control website to learn more about the animal noise complaint process, but also note that some cities handle their own noise complaints.
  • Shelter unwanted or abandoned animals for rehoming through pet adoption: Visits are facilitated by using the appointment system at all seven animal care centers. Please visit the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control website to learn more about animal adoptions or to schedule an appointment to adopt.
  • Removal of dead animals from publicly owned areas: Please visit the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control website to learn more about dead animal pickup requests.
  • Emergency response and assistance: Southern California is subject to many types of natural disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, and floods.  Local emergencies such as power outages, chemical spills, or other events can also disrupt normal activities. Being prepared for these situations will help you protect your pet. The Department of Animal Care and Control is prepared to respond to most disasters within our service areas. We have Mutual Assistance Agreements with other animal care and control agencies within and outside of Los Angeles County.

Specific Examples of Animal Care & Control Services

  • Shelter stray dogs, cats and other animals, including livestock.
  • Enforce the leash law that forbids dogs from running at large.
  • Remove dead animals.
  • Investigate cases of suspected animal abuse and neglect and the impoundment of animals seized in such cases.
  • Assist local law enforcement agencies in raids to end illegal dog and cock-fighting activities.
  • Impound dangerous or vicious dogs and coordinate hearings on their disposition.
  • Respond to special animal control problems caused by natural disasters, such as fires, floods and earthquakes. The Department has a mobile field command post that can travel to the command center of a disaster area and operate as the on-site communications and control headquarters for animal-related rescue work.
  • Relocate and return to nature, when possible, wild animals that migrate into urban areas. The Department works with the California Department of Fish and Game and the County Department of Agriculture in dealing with predator animals such as mountain lions and coyotes.
  • Investigate complaints relating to excessive animal noise, including barking dogs and crowing fowl.
  • Inspect and license pet shops, animal boarding kennels, pet grooming parlors, wild animal compounds and exhibitions as well as guard dog firms and guard dogs owned by individual businesses.
  • License dogs in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Sec. 1920 and registration of cats under Los Angeles County Code Sec. 10.24.020.

Barking Dogs

  • The Alhambra Municipal Code states that it is unlawful for an owner to keep, maintain or harbor a dog that disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood by loud barking.
  • Only two domestic dogs are allowed per household. Dogs may not run around at large (in the neighborhood).
  • To report a noise complaint, contact the Department of Animal Care and Control at 562-940-6898, or submit a Noise Complaint online

City Code Regarding Dogs

  • TITLE XVII: ANIMALS, Chapter 7.20.150 Loud Barking
  • TITLE XVII: ANIMALS, Chapter 7.20.120 Keeping More than Two Dogs Prohibited
  • TITLE XVII: ANIMALS, Chapter 7.20.158 Dogs Restrained from Running at Large‍

Caring for Dogs

  • Spay/neuter your dog (this often reduces aggressive tendencies).
  • Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.
  • Don't play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling).
  • Properly socialize and train any dog entering your household.
  • Immediately seek professional advice (e.g., from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or responsible trainers) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors.

As a separate service, the City of Alhambra offers animal traps loaners that can be used.  Please see that web page for more information.