Animal Care

Orange County CA Animal Care provides animal sheltering, field services, licensing, adoption services, lost pet assistance, and community programs that support the health and safety of animals and residents. This article explains how OC Animal Care works, which services are available, how residents can handle common pet-related situations, and where to access official information for adoption, lost animals, licensing, and animal services.

About OC Animal Care Services

OC Animal Care promotes responsible pet ownership, public safety, animal health, and programs that support spaying and neutering. The department provides temporary shelter and medical care for lost, stray, and impounded animals while helping connect animals with owners or adoption opportunities.

The department houses dogs, cats, and exotic animals that require shelter care. Animals brought into the facility receive daily care and medical attention as needed. OC Animal Care works to place healthy, treatable, and manageable animals into appropriate homes through adoption programs, foster opportunities, and partnerships with adoption organizations.

Residents can review the department’s services, programs, and current animal information through the official OC Animal Care website.

Communities Served

OC Animal Care provides field services for several contract cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County. The service area includes:

Anaheim
Brea
Cypress
Fountain Valley
Fullerton
Huntington Beach
Lake Forest
Los Alamitos
Orange
Placentia
San Juan Capistrano
Tustin
Villa Park
Yorba Linda
Unincorporated County areas

Animal Shelter Services

OC Animal Care provides shelter services for animals that are lost, stray, injured, or otherwise require temporary care. Shelter staff provide daily care and veterinary attention while working to reunite animals with owners or identify adoption options.

When animals arrive at the shelter, OC Animal Care checks for identification information such as name tags, license tags, and microchips. If identification is available, staff will attempt to contact the owner.

Lost pets are placed on the department’s Lost Pets information page with photos and available details. Owners searching for a missing pet should review the official Lost Pets information from OC Animal Care and contact the department if they locate their animal.

Lost Pet Identification

Identification can make it easier for lost animals to return home. OC Animal Care recommends keeping pets identified through licensing tags and microchips because shelter staff use available identification information to contact owners.

When a lost pet is found and brought into OC Animal Care, the animal may be held for a retention period that gives owners an opportunity to reclaim their pet. Retention periods vary depending on the animal’s situation, including where the animal was found and whether identification was available.

For lost pets listed on the OC Animal Care website, owners should contact the department and complete the required process to redeem their animal in person.

Pet Adoption Process

OC Animal Care offers dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, small animals, and other exotic pets for adoption. The adoption program is designed to provide a practical experience for visitors while supporting animal health and welfare.

The adoption process includes reviewing available pets, visiting the shelter, meeting the animal, and completing required adoption paperwork.

Adoption Steps

Review available animals through the official Pet Adoption Information page.
Schedule an adoption visit or visit during available walk-in hours.
Meet the pet before completing the adoption process.
Work with an adoption counselor to complete paperwork and required payments.
Allow the adopted animal time to adjust to its new home.

Potential adopters interested in a specific animal should have the Animal ID number available when contacting OC Animal Care. The department does not hold available pets for adoption, and adoptions continue on a first come, first serve basis.

After adoption, new owners should give their pet time to adjust to a new environment. Adjustment periods vary by animal and may take several weeks.

Pet Licensing Requirements

OC Animal Care provides licensing services that help reunite lost pets with owners and support community animal programs. Licensing services are available for participating cities and unincorporated county areas.

Pet licensing helps ensure that OC Animal Care can contact owners when licensed animals are found. The license includes the OC Animal Care office number so residents who find a lost pet can provide information to the department.

Dogs four months of age and older are required by law to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. OC Animal Care also issues voluntary cat licensing and recommends that cat owners maintain rabies vaccination and identification information.

Residents can find licensing information and registration options through the official OC Animal Care licensing page.

Animal Permits

Some properties may require an Animal Permit depending on the number of animals kept and local zoning requirements. Most contract cities and unincorporated county areas require an Animal Permit for properties keeping or maintaining more than three cats and/or three dogs.

Requirements may vary by city, and residents are responsible for understanding applicable zoning rules for their location.

Field Operations and Animal Control

OC Animal Care Field Services provides animal control services, public safety support, and enforcement of applicable animal laws. Animal Control Officers respond to animal-related concerns and help protect both residents and animals.

Field Services responsibilities include:

Responding to stray and injured animal situations.
Protecting the public from aggressive or suspected rabid animals.
Investigating animal cruelty and neglect concerns.
Enforcing leash and nuisance laws.
Providing rabies control services.
Issuing dog licenses and voluntary cat licenses.
Educating residents about responsible pet ownership.

OC Animal Care also transports injured animals for emergency treatment when an owner is unavailable and may quarantine animals involved in bites according to applicable requirements.

After-Hours Animal Services

Residents needing field service assistance outside regular hours can use the department’s after-hours field service number. The department provides field services around the clock through its Animal Control Officers.

Animal Health Programs

OC Animal Care supports programs that improve animal health and reduce preventable problems. These programs include vaccination clinics, microchip services, and spay/neuter resources.

Rabies vaccination is a key part of protecting pets and the community. OC Animal Care provides information about vaccination opportunities through its official programs and services.

Residents can review available clinic information through the official Spay/Neuter and Vaccination Clinics page.

Responsible Pet Ownership

OC Animal Care encourages residents to take steps that support healthy and safe relationships with their pets. Responsible ownership includes licensing pets, maintaining identification, preventing unwanted litters, and following local animal regulations.

The department also provides educational materials covering animal welfare, disaster preparation for pet owners, wildlife information, and community programs through its Education and Resources section.

Community Programs

Community members can support OC Animal Care programs through volunteer opportunities, foster programs, adoption support, and community education efforts.

Foster caregivers help provide temporary care for animals, while volunteers support shelter programs and community activities. Residents interested in supporting animal services can review available opportunities through the official Get Involved page.

Contacting OC Animal Care

Residents should contact the correct OC Animal Care service area based on their needs. General questions, adoption information, and licensing assistance are handled through the department’s main phone line. Field service concerns have separate daytime and after-hours contact options.

For general inquiries and pet adoption information, residents can contact OC Animal Care during regular service hours. License and billing questions are also handled through the department’s main contact line.

Residents requesting animal permits, facility licenses, barking dog assistance, animal nuisance information, or rabies control services should contact the appropriate department office listed below.

Animal Care Offices

OC Animal Care — 1630 Victory Road, Tustin, CA 92782 — (714) 935-6848
Field Services — 1630 Victory Road, Tustin, CA 92782 — (714) 259-1122

Animal Care FAQs

How can I find an adoptable pet through OC Animal Care?

Residents looking to adopt can review available animals through the official Pet Adoption Information page. OC Animal Care offers adoption opportunities for dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, small animals, and other exotic pets. Before adopting, visitors should review available pets, schedule a visit or use walk-in options during shelter hours, meet the animal they are interested in, and complete the required adoption process with an adoption counselor. OC Animal Care does not hold available pets, so adoptions continue on a first come, first serve basis.

What should I do if I find my missing pet listed with OC Animal Care?

If you believe your lost pet has been located through OC Animal Care, review the information available through the official Lost Pets page and follow the required steps to redeem your animal. When a lost pet arrives at the shelter, OC Animal Care checks for identification such as name tags, license tags, and microchips. Pets are cared for while owners have an opportunity to locate and reclaim them, with retention periods depending on the animal’s situation.

Do I need to license my pet with OC Animal Care?

OC Animal Care provides pet licensing services for participating cities and unincorporated county areas. Licensing helps improve the chances of reuniting lost pets with their owners and supports programs related to animal services. Residents can review registration and renewal information through the official Licensing page. Local requirements may vary based on the city where the pet owner lives.

When should I contact OC Animal Care Field Operations?

OC Animal Care Field Operations handles animal-related concerns involving public safety, stray or injured animals, animal welfare investigations, rabies control, and other community issues. Animal Control Officers provide field services for contract cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County. Residents can review available field service information through the official Field Operations page to understand available services and procedures.