LANCASTER –The Antelope Valley Pet Stop (commonly referred to as the Pet Stop) will close its doors on June 30, 2013, according to an announcement by the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC).
When the Pet Stop, which was made possible by the generous contributions of Los Angeles County Supervisor, Michael D. Antonovich, opened its doors in September 2009, it was the first of its kind. It was the only County facility within Los Angeles to exclusively house dogs immediately available for adoption, as all dogs at the Pet Stop were already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and ready to go home the same day.
However, since the Pet Stop’s opening in 2009, the Lancaster animal care center has added a new dog building, which includes 48 extra dog kennels, and has the capacity to house at least 96 additional dogs.
DACC also awaits the opening of the Palmdale animal care center in spring 2016, which will aide in providing extra housing and additional services for animals in the Antelope Valley.
“We are grateful for the Pet Stop’s success of adopting out nearly 2,600 dogs since its inception. However, we feel that our focus needs to be primarily on public safety, ensuring the residents and animals are safe,” said DACC director Marcia Mayeda. “We plan to keep the efforts of the Pet Stop alive by continuing to aggressively pursue adoption opportunities. Our regular offsite adoptions, frequent transports, and our adoption partners have helped us significantly reduce the euthanasia rate for dogs to an all-time low, 37%, the lowest we have ever seen,” Mayeda continued.
Final Pet Stop event
To celebrate the Pet Stop’s successes, DACC will host a special adoption event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, at the Pet Stop, located at 42116 4th Street East in Lancaster.
Dog adoption fees will be discounted and DACC volunteers will be onsite to help “match make” pets with potential adopters.
To keep up with DACC updates and events, visit animalcare.lacounty.gov or find them on facebook at facebook.com/CountyofLosAngelesAnimalCare.
(Information via press release from the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control.)
Michael Rives says
It is a shame that it is closing because it is closer than the shelter on Ave I. How about if we have the Lancaster City Council ban the sale of pets within the city limits of Lancaster and recommend that people go to the shelter to get a pet?
Chris French says
The way I read it the Lancaster facility has (since the opening of the adoption center) acquired more housing at their facility. The way I read it is they are merely consolidating. The piece goes further to state “We plan to keep the efforts of the Pet Stop alive”. Sorry I don’t see anything detrimental except the “all time low” percentage of euthanasia at 37% and not 0%. We have adopted 2 pooches from the Pet Stop and one from the Lancaster shelter over the years and could have been happier with them, and will certainly return to adopt again.
Tiphani says
NO!!! Just because another site is “scheduled” to open doesn’t mean dogs need to die in the meantime!! Please wait!
Gus says
I adopted a dog from there, a great dog.
But I do not read the REASON for closing down… No real explanation.
My wife who is disabled would love to volunteer, but there was never a response to her request. I prefer animals have a place to live rather than euthanize them!! But y’all know what you’re doing.
Thanks for keeping my dog, until I decided to adopt- THANK YOU!
Ali says
I adopted 2 great dogs from there as well. I also wish there was an answer to why.. There are plenty of dogs that need homes..