Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Animal Services located? [Top]

In the Placerville area:
Animal Services has two locations in Placerville.
The Animal Services business office is located at 415 Placerville Dr., Suite N, in Placerville.
The Animal Services shelter (where lost and adoptable pets are kept) is located at 511 Placerville Dr. in Placerville.
Click here for hours and more information.

In South Lake Tahoe:
The El Dorado County Animal Services business office and shelter are located at 1120 Shakori Drive, South Lake Tahoe. Click here for a map to the Animal Shelter.

What are the hours of operation?  [Top]
For a complete list of hours click here. 

How do I contact Animal Services staff?  [Top]
During the hours of operation, call (530) 621-5795 in Placerville, or (530) 573-7925 in South Lake Tahoe. In El Dorado Hills call (916) 358-3555 Ext. 5795.

What Should I do if there is an Animal Emergency after hours? [Top]
In El Dorado County, call (530) 621-6600 or 911 to report an Animal Emergency. Animal Services staff will respond after hours only to the following emergency situations:

• Stray injured animals, other than wildlife. (For injured wildlife, call Sierra Wildlife Rescue at (530) 621-4661 or Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care at (530) 577-2273.)
• Livestock that are loose.
• Stray dogs that are in the act of being aggressive or biting, or have already bitten someone.
• Stray dogs in the act of attacking livestock

How long does it take for an Animal Services officer to respond to my call? [Top]
How quickly an officer can respond to a call depends upon the following main factors:

• How many officers are available to respond
• What other higher priority calls need to be serviced first and
• Current location of officer.

El Dorado County Animal Services has a very limited number of officers available each day to respond to calls within the county. Calls that are given highest priority involve an immediate danger of injury or harm by an animal to a human or another animal. Unfortunately, calls regarding dogs that are stray in a neighborhood and are not posing an immediate danger generally cannot be responded to immediately due to other priorities. 

What should I do if a dog or other animal bites me? [Top]
All animal bites must be reported. Seek medical attention and then call Animal Services at (530) 621-5795 or (530) 573-7925 as soon as possible to report the bite.  By law, animal bites must be investigated for everyone’s protection.  Bite investigation does not automatically mean the animal is impounded – it may mean that vaccination and licenses are verified.  Depending upon the severity of the incident, additional actions may be required. 

What do I need to do if my dog bites someone? [Top]
The incident should be reported to Animal Services.  An investigation will be conducted.  Depending on the situation (the severity of the bite, the behavior of the dog and whether the dog has a history of aggressive behavior) the investigating officer will require the dog to be quarantined or take additional action steps. Your cooperation in the process is greatly appreciated and helps everything go much smoother.  

What can I do about dogs roaming loose in my neighborhood? [Top]
El Dorado County has an ordinance regarding loose dogs.  Owners of dogs must keep their dogs confined to their property in an enclosed area or on a leash at all times.  If a loose animal is acting strangely, is aggressive or has bitten someone, call Animal Services, or after hours, call the Sheriff’s Dispatch at (530) 621-6600.  If dogs are roaming in your neighborhood, contact Animal Services, and every attempt will be made to send an officer to the scene.  If the officer witnesses the dog roaming loose, the dog will be impounded or the owner will receive a citation.  If the dog has returned to the residence before the officer arrives on the scene, the dog cannot be impounded, however, a warning notice will be posted at the residence.

I found an injured deer, what do I do? [Top]
Contact Animal Services at (530) 621-5795 in Placerville, or at (530) 573-7925 in South Lake Tahoe.

There is a dead animal on the road, what should I do? [Top]
Requests to pick up dead animals on roadways in El Dorado County are handled by different agencies, depending upon the type of road and situation. If a dead animal is creating a traffic hazard call 911.

• On Highways (such as Highway 50, 49, or 193) - If the dead animal is on the side of the road (and not creating a traffic hazard), call Cal Trans at (916) 859-7810.
• On County maintained roads - Call Animal Services at (530) 621-5795 in Placerville or (530) 573-7925 in South Lake Tahoe to remove the dead animal. El Dorado Hills residents may call (916) 358-3555, ext 5795.
• On Private Roads or Property - Animal Services can be contacted to remove a dead animal on private property or private roads for a fee.

How many dogs and/or cats can a person legally own in El Dorado County? [Top]
In El Dorado County, 4 dogs and 4 cats are allowed per parcel.  The dogs must be licensed with El Dorado County Animal Services.  There is no require to license the cats.  Individuals with 5 or more dogs must obtain a commercial or noncommercial animal permit.  Commercial permits are issued for people who want to sell dogs.  Noncommercial permits are for people who want more than 4 dogs but do not plan to sell them.  Individuals with 5 or more cats must obtain a cattery license.  The first step to getting a commercial or noncommercial animal permit, or a license for a cattery, is to contact El Dorado County Planning Services for a special use permit at (530) 621-5355.

Can anyone have horses or other livestock on their property in El Dorado County? [Top]
The property must be zoned as agricultural, and there must be at least one acre of land for livestock to legally be on the property.  To see if your property is zoned as agricultural, contact Planning Services at (530) 621-5355.  Their website can also be accessed at www.edcgov.us/Planning/.

How do I get a dog license or replace a lost dog tag? [Top]
Click here for more information.

Why do I have to vaccinate and license my dog? [Top]
The State of California requires all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies and licensed. Vaccination prevents the spread of rabies.  Rabies is prevalent in the wild and is a threat requiring constant vigilance. Animals that transmit rabies (such as skunks & bats) can get into yards and homes, and could bite and infect your dog. The cost of a rabies vaccination is a small price to pay for your protection. Licensing is required so that your dog can be identifed. If your dog strays from home, he/she may get picked up by Animal Services or by the public. A dog with a license attached to its collar is often returned to the owner the same day it is found! Additionally this can assist in a situation when an animal is injured and needs veterinary treatment.

How much does it cost to adopt an animal at your shelter? [Top]
Fees for adopting animals from the Animal Services shelter include vaccination, behavioral and medical assessment, spay/neuter, licensing, and microchip.  We do our best to keep the fees as low as possible. See a list of our fees.

Can I bring my pet and put it up for adoption at the shelter? [Top]
The El Dorado County Animal shelter is primarily a holding and adoption facility for stray pets, and for pets that are confiscated due to animal neglect or abuse. The shelter generally does not accept owned animals for the purpose of adoption. However, if there is a family crisis that requires that the pet be immediately relinquished, the shelter may accept the pet if there is space available. Under this circumstance, the shelter staff will discuss the pet's temperament and medical history with you and will make the pet available for adoption only if it is determined that it is a healthy, adoptable animal. Unfortunately, there is a chance that it may ultimately have to be euthanized if it does not get adopted and the shelter runs out of room for other incoming animals.

We always recommend that you try to find a new home for your pet rather than relinquish it to a shelter. As soon as you determine that you need to find a new home for your pet, you should notify friends, family members, co-workers, your veterinarian and neighbors and they may be able to help you. Shelter staff and local rescue groups can also give you advice on the best way to find your pet a good new home.

Do you have a Foster Care program? [Top]
Yes. We use approved foster parents to care for adoptable pets that: 1) need to be in a more home-like environment, 2) may need medical attention and 3) need to be moved elsewhere due to lack of space at the shelter. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, see our Foster Care page.

What should I do if I see a skunk on my property during the day that is acting like it is sick? [Top]
Contrary to what many people think, skunks are not nocturnal. They are crepuscular which means they come out mostly at dawn and dusk. However, they may come out any time of the day or night if there is food available. During late summer and early fall, skunks may be seen more frequently during the day as a result of the young exploring their new world. However, signs of a sick (rabid) skunk that you see during the day may be lack of fear, aggressiveness, paralysis or partial paralysis (particularly in the hindquarters) and disorientation. An animal unable to stand as a result of rabies may make walking movements while lying on its side (paddling). If you see these signs, call our office and we will send an officer to pick it up.

How can I trap a feral (wild) cat in my neighborhood? [Top]
We can lend you a humane trap and provide instruction on how to trap the cat. You can then bring the cat to the shelter. Or in Placerville you can call Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode, at (530) 642-2287 and they may be able to help you trap the cat and/or sterilize it.

My Neighbor's Dog Barks Continuously.  What Can I do? [Top]
Noise complaints are one of the most difficult complaints we encounter, and each case is handled a little differently depending upon the situation.  Please be advised that it may take several complaints in order for you to see a difference, so your persistence and your patience in this process is greatly appreciated.  Here are some general guidelines on how animal noise complaints are handled:

If the dog is barking during the day, contact the Animal Services office.  We need the physical address where the dog is located to take action.  For the first complaint, a warning letter is usually sent to the owner of the dog.  For a second or third complaint, an Animal Services officer is usually sent to the location to educate the owner and provide enforcement.  If the owner isn’t home, a warning notice or notice to animal owner is posted on the door of the home.  The officer must witness the barking in order for a citation to be issued.  The citation can include fines. 

If the barking persists, you may want to consider filing a “Second Party Citation.”  This document will describe your complaint and must be signed by you.  By filing a Second Party Citation, you agree to testify in court regarding the incident.    The owners of the dog will be required to go to court and fines may be involved.  Few Second Party Citations are issued in El Dorado County each year, but it is certainly an option available to you.  For more information about how to file such a citation, contact Animal Services.

If the dog is barking at night or during the week, AND Animal Services has already sent a warning letter and been called to the residence twice, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Dispatch may be called at (530) 621-6600.  If an officer is available, he may be sent to the residence to respond to the complaint.  If the officer witnesses the dog barking, a citation may be issued. 

Learn more about barking dogs.

My dog barks continuously.  What can I do? [Top]
There could be a number of reasons why your dog is a barker, but the most likely reason is that she is lonely or bored, especially when left alone for long periods of time. All dogs are "pack animals" and like to be inside the house when their humans are home. Most behavior problems such as barking, digging, chewing and hyperactive behavior are caused from leaving a dog in a backyard day and night.  Try increasing the dog’s interaction with the family and her exercise, and also provide her with chew-toys and other things to keep her busy during the day.  Some individuals find that bringing a dog in at night with the family helps keep the dog happier and reduces noise.  If the dog tends to be very active or you worry about her having free access to the house, you can try keeping her in a crate at night (preferably in a room where there is a person) and then letting her out first thing in the morning when you feed her.  Learn more about why dogs bark and how to prevent it.

  What should I do if I know of an animal that is being abused or neglected? [Top]
Contact Animal Services immediately.  El Dorado County Animal Services takes all cases of suspected animal abuse or neglect seriously.  Although anonymous tips are helpful, signed written statements from witnesses are most helpful and are needed for any legal action to take place.  While it is sometimes possible for Animal Services officers to observe conditions of animals from a vantage point of the property, this can be difficult or impossible if the property is large or animals are kept behind buildings.  Cooperation of concerned individuals is always needed. 

There are a number of signs to look for when determining if animal abuse or neglect may be occurring.  Things to look for include:

• General conditions where the animals are kept - Do the animals have inadequate shelter?  Do they lack food and water?
• Do any of the animals appear sickly or extremely thin?
• Do the environmental conditions seem unhealthy for the animals?  For example, are animals standing in or living with large amounts of feces? 
• If it is a breeding facility, are the mother and father dogs available for viewing at the facility and are they healthy?
• Be suspicious if a breeder insists on meeting you somewhere other than where the animals are kept. 
• Any intentional animal fighting (such as cock fighting) is illegal and should be immediately reported to Animal Services.

Why does Animal Services sometimes seize animals from private property? [Top]
Animal seizures are actually a last resort, and generally involve severe cases of animal neglect or abuse.  Our officers are required to follow all legal processes, including obtaining search warrants to go onto private property, except in emergency (exigent) situations. We often times take veterinarians with us to assess the health of the animals. Animals are taken back to the shelter and provided with medical care, shelter, and sometimes special diets to get them back to good health.  If, during the investigation, it is determined that the animals can be returned to the owner, fees are paid to reimburse the county for the animals’ rehabilitation and shelter.  If the animals are not returned to the owners, due to the investigation showing that the situation is not suitable or the owners give up custody or do not pay necessary fees, the animals are evaluated and adopted out to loving homes.

Animal abuse or neglect cases often involve possible criminal charges, therefore we cannot discuss or release any information to the public or the media.  Unfortunately, stories printed in the media are sometimes incomplete because we cannot share key details of the case while individuals who have had their animals removed are free to provide their side of the story.