Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control Warning About Impersonation Scam Targeting Pet Owners

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) is issuing a warning to the community following a recent incident at the Carson/Gardena Animal Care Center (ACC) involving an individual impersonating an animal control officer.

A concerned pet owner, who was searching for their missing dog, received a call from someone claiming to be a DACC officer. The impersonator falsely stated the dog was severely injured and required immediate surgery, demanding payment to initiate lifesaving procedures. Alarmingly, the dog owner was led to believe that their pet was in urgent need of care.

Upon visiting the Carson/Gardena ACC, the staff verified DACC policies and confirmed that the pet was not in DACC’s care. The staff advised the owner to have the impersonator meet them at the ACC but the call with the impersonator was subsequently disconnected.

DACC reminds all pet owners that our staff will never ask for payment over the phone. We urge the community to remain vigilant and cautious of potential scams. If you are missing a pet, please take the following steps:

1. Visit the DACC Website: Check the DACC website to see if your pet has been reported found at https://animalcare.lacounty.gov.
2. Visit the Animal Care Center: Come to the ACC during regular business hours (Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to search for your missing pet.
3. Microchip and register your pet: Make sure your pet is microchipped and registered with your contact information. ACOs have the ability to scan animals for microchips. If the person claiming to be an ACO can’t do that and provide you with your pet’s microchip number, they are likely not legitimate.

If your pet is in the care of DACC and has traceable identification, our team will ensure the following:

1. DACC will contact you by phone, mail, or email to advise you of your pet’s admission to the ACC.
2. DACC will provide you with the exact ACC where your pet is located to facilitate a quick reunion.

“If you are missing a pet, please take the necessary steps to verify its safety through official channels,” said Director Marcia Mayeda. “Our team is dedicated to reuniting pets with their owners, and we want to ensure that everyone is aware of the proper procedures to avoid falling victim to scams.”

We encourage all pet owners to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to local authorities. Your pet’s safety is our top priority, and we are here to help you reunite with your beloved four-legged family members.

“I’m deeply disappointed to hear of opportunists taking advantage of vulnerable families looking to reunite with their lost pets,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor, Hilda L. Solis. “I encourage residents to microchip and tag their pets, follow up with local shelters if their pet is lost or missing, and report any suspicious activities to local authorities. Together, we can help ensure residents and their pets stay safe and are reunited.”

About the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC)

DACC is one of the largest animal care and control agencies in the nation, operating seven animal care centers and providing services to more than three million residents and their pets. DACC operates under the nationally recognized Socially Conscious Sheltering model to ensure the best possible outcomes for animals and the community. As a community resource center for pets and owners, DACC protects people and animals from harm, provides care for lost and unwanted animals, reunites lost pets with their families, and strives every day to move closer to its goal of finding a loving home for every adoptable pet that comes through its doors. To learn more about DACC, the resources DACC provides, and view its animals, visit https://animalcare.lacounty.gov  or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).  To support DACC’s efforts, please donate to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation at https://lacountyanimals.org/.  To learn more about Socially Conscious Sheltering, visit https://scsheltering.org/.