FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LA Animal Services Media Contacts:
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LA County Veterinary of Public Health Gives All Clear to West Valley & West LA Animal Shelters |
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Los Angeles, December 9, 2021 – The Los Angeles County Veterinary of Public Health has approved regular operations and the intake of dogs at the LA Animal Services Centers in West Valley and West Los Angeles.
In November, due to an on-going Canine Influenza outbreak in Los Angeles County, a number of dogs at the West LA and West Valley Animal Services Centers tested positive for Canine Influenza, which resulted in the two shelters implementing safety protocols that prevented the community from viewing the dogs at the Centers. Although the animals in our shelters are either fully or partially vaccinated for Canine Influenza, the vaccine does not prevent the virus from getting into the shelter population from dogs coming into the shelter.
“After much hard work by our staff and the medical team, the dogs at our LA Animal Services Centers in West LA and West Valley are cleared from quarantine by the LA County Veterinary of Public Health,” said Dana Brown, General Manager for LA Animal Services. “Caring for animals in shelters is a collaborative effort, and we’d like to thank the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program, which provided the complimentary testing of the dogs at West LA and West Valley shelters.”
Similar to the two dose COVID-19 vaccine, two doses of the Canine Influenza vaccine are required, given two to four weeks apart. Full immunity doesn’t occur until two weeks past the second dose. Unfortunately, also like COVID-19, being vaccinated with the Canine Influenza vaccine does not guarantee that a dog won’t become infected with the virus. Vaccinated dogs that do become infected are generally less ill, and less contagious, than unvaccinated dogs.
To ensure the safety and welfare of the dogs in our shelters and community, we continue to practice the following safety protocols:
- Dogs at West Valley and West LA may be fostered, however, dogs who are not fully vaccinated must continue to quarantine and stay at home until the dog is fully vaccinated.
- Owners with dogs at home should refrain from bringing a new dog home at this time, unless all dogs have been vaccinated.
Cats, kittens, rabbits, and small mammals are not affected by the Canine Influenza virus and will be available for adoption at the West LA and West Valley Animal Shelters as usual.
For more information on Canine Influenza, please visit LA County Public Health’s Website or call your veterinarian for information on getting your dog(s) vaccinated, or to learn more on how to keep your dog safe from the virus.
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Center Operating Hours
Our six LA Animal Services Centers are open without appointments every Saturday and Sunday, from 11am to 5pm. We will continue to operate by appointment during the week, Tuesday through Friday, for pet adoptions, fostering, and owner surrenders, with Centers closed on Mondays. Sick or injured animals will be admitted without an appointment. Appointments may be scheduled by going online or calling 1-888-452-7381.
To follow COVID-19 safety protocols, social distancing will be observed and face coverings will be required when in our Centers.
Per City Ordinance 187219, you will need to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of entry into the shelter. You can request a digital COVID-19 Vaccination Record if you were vaccinated in California (unless you were vaccinated at a federal facility) by visiting MyVaccineRecord.cdph.ca.gov. For any questions regarding vaccination records, visit the LA County Vaccine Records website.
In observance of the upcoming holidays, LA Animal Services will be closed on Friday, December 24, Saturday, December 25, and Friday, December 31 2021, and Saturday, January 1, 2022.
For more information about LA Animal Services and to find out how to adopt or foster an animal companion, 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.
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