Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the hours that the Culver City Animal Services Officer on duty and how can I reach the Officer?
There is one full-time Culver City Animal Services Officer who routinely patrols and handles field service calls from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Monday through Thursday. However, to accommodate special events and certain field services, the days and hours may fluctuate to best suit the needs of the residents of Culver City. When the Culver City Animal Services Officer is off-duty, Los Angeles County Animal Control Officers (310-523-9566) are on stand-by duty to respond to calls such as injured animals, bites, confined animals and trapped wildlife. You can call The Culver City Animal Services Officer at 310-253-6143 for general information, license questions, to report lost and found animals, or assistance with animal-related issues. For additional information see Animal Services.

2. Where is the Animal Services Officer based?
Culver City Animal Services Officer Corolla Fleeger is an employee of the Culver City Police Department: (310) 253-6143.

3. What shelter is used by Culver City, where is it located and what are its hours?
Culver City contracts with the spcaLA shelter in Hawthorne. For additional information see Animal Services.

4. What vaccines does my new dog need?
Please see a veterinarian for more information about vaccines and your dog's health. Vaccines are an important part of keeping your dog healthy. Beginning at six to eight weeks of age, puppies should be given a vaccine that protects against distemper and parvo. Your dog will need yearly boosters to remain protected from these diseases. All dogs over the age of three months are required to be vaccinated for rabies and licensed. The first rabies vaccine is good for one year. All subsequent rabies vaccinations are good for 3 years. Your dog must have proof of rabies vaccine to be licensed in Culver City. Licenses must be renewed annually. Culver City uses the services of PetData to license Culver City dogs. For additional information see Animal Services and Pet Care.

5. What vaccines does my new cat need?
Vaccines are an important part of keeping your cat healthy. Beginning at eight to nine weeks of age, kittens should be given a vaccine that protects against feline distemper and other diseases. It is also recommended to have your cat tested and vaccinated for Feline Leukemia (FELV). All cats over the age of three months should also be vaccinated for rabies. The first rabies vaccine is good for one year. Please see a veterinarian for more information about vaccines and your cat's health. Pet Care.

6. How much is a rabies vaccination and dog license?
Please see Animal Services  and Pet Care.

7. How much does it cost to adopt a pet?
The cost depends on which shelter the pet is adopted from and whether the pet is already spayed/neutered. Animal Services and Useful Links.

8. What kinds of pets does spcaLA have for adoption?
spcaLA has many great cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals available for adoption.

9. What if I want to adopt a bird, turtle, guinea pig or other exotic pet?
There are numerous breed specific rescue groups. Friends of Culver City Animals maintains lists of these groups. Contact Us
(888) 893-9909

10. What if I adopt a pet from a shelter and the pet becomes sick?
Although all pets adopted from shelters and rescue groups have had their basic vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery, these organizations cannot guarantee the health of any adopted animal. Friends of Culver City Animals can provide information about local veterinarians. When you adopt your dog from shelter, you are generally entitled to a free examination at many of the local vet clinics within 3-5 days of adoption. Please check your adoption paperwork and take your pet in for the checkup. Not all animal diseases have symptoms right away, but a veterinarian will be able to identify any health-related problems.

11. I lost my pet. What do I do?
See information here: Lost/Found

12. If I find a pet, and I cannot locate the owner, what do I do? See information here: Lost/Found

13. What other shelters are in the area?
See information here: Animal Services

14. I found a dog. What do I do?
See information here: Lost/Found

15. I found a cat. What do I do?
See information here: Lost/Found

16. There are a lot of stray cats in my neighborhood. What do I do?
Free roaming cats (feral and tame) are a common sight in Culver City. Use extreme caution when dealing with an unknown cat. It is advisable to leave free roaming cats alone. If you have concerns, it is best to contact your vet or Friends of Culver City Animals.

17. What is the difference between a stray and a feral cat?
A stray cat is an unowned cat you see in your neighborhood that is friendly and enjoys human contact. A feral cat has had little or no human contact during its natural life. Many people consider feral cats to be nuisances because they reproduce at an alarming rate, resulting in more cat problems and public health concerns. It is recommended that these cats be "Trapped, Neutered and Returned" (TNR) as a humane and practical method of solving the problems. Through TNR, cats are humanely trapped and sterilized. They are ear-tipped on the left ear to identify that they are part of a managed colony, and returned back to the environment in which they were living. Volunteer caretakers provide food, water and clean, unobtrusive shelters for the cats. If you sterilize the population, you will stop the constant flow of kittens and the colony will keep other cats from moving into the area. Eventually, through natural attrition, the colony will die out. Removing the colony will leave the area free for other cats to move in.

18. I found an injured animal. What do I do?
If you can safely shelter the animal until the Animal Services Officer can pick it up, it is best to do so. If not, contact a veternarian or Friends of Culver City Animals.

19. My pet is in your shelter. What will it cost to get my pet out?
If you pet is currently at one of the shelters, you will need to pay impound and other fees before he can been released to you. The fees vary depending on the type of pet you have, the amount of time your pet stays in the shelter and other factors.

20. I was cited by the Culver City Animal Services Officer. What do I do?
If you have been cited by the Animal Services Officer, then you have been issued a ticket that outlines the details of the steps you need to take. The majority of violations in Culver City are infractions and are similar to parking tickets. The fees and mailing address are located on the bottom of the citation.

21. I can't afford to get my pet spayed or neutered. What do I do? See spcaLA Services or Pet Care.

22. My dog bit someone. What do I do?
If your dog has been involved in a bite to a human, please contact the Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143 as soon as possible. Dogs that were not leashed at the time of the bite or do not have a current Culver City dog license or a current rabies vaccination are usually quarantined at the spcaLA shelter. All cats and dogs that have bitten a person are required by California State law to be quarantined for 10 days from the date of the bite. Animals that are currently rabies vaccinated and licensed at the time of a non-severe bite may be quarantined in the owner's home if the home facility is suitable with a securely enclosed yard that prevents exposure of the biting animal to any other domestic animals and humans. This option is at the discretion of the Animal Services Officer.

23. A dog bit me. What do I do?
If you have been bitten by a dog, seek immediate medical attention. You will need to complete a bite report. Contact the Culver City Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143 for advice.

24. How do I turn my pet into the shelter?
Any pet turned into a shelter is at risk of being euthanized. Instead of turning your pet into a shelter, please review the options at Pet Care.

25. My pet died. What are my options?
You can bring your pet to your local vet clinic or shelter for disposal, or you may choose to have your pet cremated. Your vet can arrange for this service. Links

26. How many pets can I have in my house?
The Culver City Municipal Code allows a maximum of 3 cats and 3 dogs per household. There is no limit as to the number of birds and fish, provided they do not cause a nuisance.

27. What can I do if I find a dead animal?
Call the Culver City Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143.

28. How do I report animal cruelty or dog fighting?
Contact the Culver City Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143.

29. My neighbor's dog keeps getting out. What do I do?
Stray dogs can be a nuisance or even a danger to themselves or others. All dog owners in Culver City are required to keep their dogs confined or on a leash. They also must have current rabies vaccines and licenses. Contact the Culver City Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143.

30. My neighbor's dog barks all the time. What do I do?
Try to discuss the problem with your neighbor to reach an understanding. There are various reasonably priced ways to reduce/eliminate the barking. If there is no resolution and the problem persists, contact the Culver City Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143.

31. My neighbor lets his dog poop in my yard. What do I do?
Try to discuss the problem with your neighbor and explain that not cleaning up after your dog is a citable violation. If the neighbor continues to allow the dog to poop in your yard, contact the Culver City Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143.

32. My neighbor is not taking care of his pets. What do I do?
Suspicions of animal cruelty or neglect should be reported to the Culver City Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143 and spcaLA Services.

33. My pet is sick, and I can't afford to take him to the vet? Who can help me?
Many caring pet owners are afraid of vet bills. Talk to your vet to come to an arrangement that will work for you, your vet and your pet. In addition, Care Credit  offers special financing and low monthly payments to ensure that your pet gets the proper care.

34. My pet needs to be put to sleep. What do I do?
Deciding to put down your pet is a difficult decision. The best environment to say good-bye to your pet is in your home; however, if that is not possible then the vet's office is the next option. Leaving a pet at a shelter is not the answer. There the animal will be traumatized and suffer.

35. Someone is poisoning my cats? What do I do?
The outdoors can be a dangerous place for your cat. An outdoor cat encounters many dangers from poisonous anti-freeze and other chemicals, to cars, dogs and feline diseases. For this reason, it is advised to keep your cat indoors at all times. Indoor cats live five to seven times longer than a cat living outside. If you believe that your cat is being poisoned, report it to the Culver City Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143.

36. What do I do about wildlife in my yard?
See information at Wildlife.

37. Where can I take my pet for grooming?
There are many excellent pet groomers in and around Culver City. Friends of Culver City Animals can provide you with a list. Contact Us.

38. What do I do if my neighbor is hoarding animals?
Hoarding is a serious community problem. If you suspect that your neighbor is hoarding animals, report it to the Culver City Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143 for investigation.

39. What do I do if my neighbor is breeding animals in the backyard?
Without proper permits, it is illegal for a resident to breed animals on his property. If your neighbor is breeding animals, report it to the Culver City Animal Services Officer at (310) 253-6143 for investigation.