Animal care and control field officers plan to hit the streets and parks in Antelope Valley Wednesday to enforce pet licensing and spay/neuter laws.
The enforcement teams will fan out in Palmdale, Llano, Pearblossom and Littlerock.
Dog and cat owners in unincorporated areas of the county are required to license and microchip their pets. Dogs and cats must also be spayed or neutered, with some exemptions for competition, breeding and service dogs and pets with health problems.
The Department of Animal Care and Control said it receives about 70,000 unwanted animals each year and urged responsible pet owners to avoid unplanned litters by following the spay and neuter law.
State law also requires that all dogs at least 4 months old be vaccinated against rabies. The county requires the same vaccination for cats.
The Department of Animal Care and Control offers low-cost vaccination and microchips and financial assistance for spay and neuter surgeries.
Residents caught not complying with the pet ordinances may be charged license fees, delinquency charges and a $40 field enforcement fee.
More information and license applications can be found online at www.animalcare.lacounty.gov or at any county animal care center.
—City News Service