Animal Shelters to Open on Sundays

Marcia Mayeda Director   Administrative Office 5898 Cherry Ave. Long Beach, CA  90805 (562) 728-4882 Fax (562) 422-3408 http://animalcare.lacounty.gov         Department of Animal Care and Control PRESS RELEASE- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date:  February  25, 2010 Contact:  Evelina Villa (562) 256-1364   County Animal Shelters to be Open on Sundays  The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is pleased to announce an enhancement to its goal of finding homes for all adoptable animals.  Beginning March 1, 2010 the Department will begin opening its animal shelters on Sundays so adopters have an additional day to find a new pet.    “Opening on Sundays gives us an additional opportunity to showcase the many wonderful animals in our shelters,” said department Director Marcia Mayeda.  “Weekends are a popular time to find a new family member at the local animal shelter, and we want to ensure we are using every opportunity to increase pet adoptions.”  In addition to increasing adoption opportunities, by opening Sundays the Department hopes to reunite lost pets with their owners a day sooner.   The Department has been able to achieve this goal by realigning staff schedules and without incurring any additional operating cost. “Local government budgets are particularly challenged during these difficult economic times, and we are happy to have found creative solutions to enhance services without additional costs to taxpayers” said Mayeda. The Department also hopes to see an increase in revenue generated by the additional business day, thereby providing more resources to help homeless animals.   The six Los Angeles County animal shelters, located in Downey, Baldwin Park, Carson, Castaic, Lancaster and Agoura Hills will be open seven days a week beginning March 1.  Operating hours will be:   ·         Monday-Thursday:                    12:00 PM - 7:00 PM ·         Friday, Saturday, Sunday:        10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Department’s Pet Stop adoption center in Lancaster will be open on Sundays as well.   Operating hours will be: ·         Tuesday-Saturday:                    10:00 AM - 5:00 PM  ·         Sunday:                                      12:00 PM - 4:00 PM   Please note that the Pet Stop only houses dogs immediately available for adoption and does not accept animals from the public.   For more information about the new hours, please visit http://animalcare.lacounty.gov or stop by your local County animal shelter.   ###