Santa Monica Animal Control Section handles the full range of dog emergencies you might face—whether you’ve lost your dog in the area, found a stray, or want to adopt. Located in Santa Monica, this city facility processes hundreds of dogs each year, from animals picked up as strays to owner surrenders and lost pets.

If your dog goes missing in Santa Monica or nearby Los Angeles County neighborhoods, this is where you’ll want to start. The staff can help you file a lost dog report and check their current animals to see if your dog has been brought in. They also maintain records that other shelters and rescues reference, so getting your dog’s information into their system increases the chances someone will call if they’re found. It’s worth visiting in person if your dog has been missing for more than a few hours—descriptions don’t always match what you’re frantically looking for, and staff can sometimes describe individual dogs in detail.

If you’ve found a stray dog, Animal Control can help scan for a microchip and attempt to locate the owner. They’re also the official authority for stray dog intake in Santa Monica, so bringing a loose dog here is the right move rather than trying to figure out what to do on your own.

The facility also operates an adoption program. Dogs available for adoption vary by week depending on intake, so it’s worth checking their website regularly or calling to ask what dogs are currently up for adoption. The animals here have been evaluated for behavior and health, so you’ll get some information about temperament before adopting.

Because Animal Control deals with strays and incoming dogs, conditions can be stressful for the animals. If you’re considering adoption, visit in person to interact with any dog you’re interested in. Call ahead at (310) 458-8594 to confirm adoption hours and check current availability before making the trip.