City of Palo Alto Homepage
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Location:
275 Forest Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Telephone:
Phone: 650-329-2413 (non-emergency)
Fax: 650-617-3120
Hours:
Field Operations: 24/7
Front Desk: 8-5 (M-F)

For emergencies
dial 9-1-1
Animal Services

Palo Alto Animal Services

3281 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, California 94303

Open: Monday - Saturday, 11:00am - 5:30pm, except holidays. Closed every other Friday.
Main: 650-496-5971 Clinic: 650-496-5933
Fax: 650-856-8591

Welcome to the Palo Alto Animal Services (PAAS) website. Learn more about our programs and services through the links on these pages.

Palo Alto Animal Services protects and cares for animals within our jurisdiction that are at risk of injury, neglect or homelessness. Our Animal Control services help protect the public and public property from injury, harm, and disease from animals. Our pleasant, user-friendly shelter offers animals for adoption, a low-cost neuter and vaccination clinic, volunteer opportunities and a selection of pet supplies.

Palo Alto Animal Services promotes responsible pet ownership through adoption counseling, education and support services. We provide animal rescue and medical treatment. Animal-control services for Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills are also provided. We minimize animal-related risks to public health and safety by providing population and disease-prevention services within our jurisdiction.

Palo Alto Animal Services is a not-for-profit organization funded and governed by the City of Palo Alto and is a division of the city's Police Department.

Directions
We are conveniently located near the 101 Bayshore Freeway, between the Embarcadero and San Antonio Road, bordering on the Palo Alto Baylands. Our street address is 3281 E. Bayshore Road.

Licensing and Identification
Licensing is the single most effective way to provide a network of protection for your best friend.
[more]
Low-cost Spay/Neuter and Vaccination Clinic
Information on our low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics.
( visit the animal services home page )
[more]
Pet Adoption Information
General animal adoption information.
( visit the animal service home page )
[more]
Lost and Found
General lost and found Information
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Volunteer with Animal Services
How to volunteer at Animal Services
[more]
The Barking Dog - Why Dogs Bark
Why dogs bark, what type of barking is good or bad and how to tell if your dog is out of control.
[more]
Essential Information for New Owners
Essential information for new pet owners.
[more]
Adoption Application Forms
Printable application forms.
[more]
General Animal Control Information
A summary of frequently asked animal control topics.
[more]
Living with Wildlife
Steps you can take to prevent wildlife from making your home their home.
[more]
Exercise Areas for Dogs
Dog walk and off-leash exercise areas.
( visit the neighborhood parks home page )
[more]
Foxtails: Seeds that Can Maim and Kill
The danger of foxtails and the barbed seeds of wild grasses.
[more]
Controlling Fleas
Recent breakthroughs have significantly changed how we think about and approach flea control.
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Animal Policy
How long do we keep animals?
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Microchipping your Cat or Dog
A complete, unique system for pet retrieval.
[more]
Reducing Barking in Dogs
11 tips on how to reduce unwanted barking in dogs.
[more]
Teaching the Quiet Command
One method that can be used to reduce barking. With a few tools and a bit of patience this is really effective.
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Dog Crates
An article by Danny Canino discussing why dog crates are your dog's best friend.
[more]
House Training Your Dog
The golden rules of house training, including details of how to set up a daily routine and praising your dog for a job well done.
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Bringing Home a Playmate for 'Fido'
Introducing a dog to a dog.
[more]
Back Yard Blues
How leaving a dog in a yard can cause behavioral problems.
[more]
Introducing 'Fido' to 'Fluffy'
Introducing a dog to a cat.
[more]
Before You Bring a Second Dog into Your Home
Questions you should ask yourself before bringing a second dog home.
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Toxoplasmosis - Your pregnancy and your cat
Toxoplasmosis, the effects it can have on your unborn baby and precautions against infection.
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Scratching Furniture
Preventing your cat from ruining your furniture.
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Bringing home a playmate for 'Fluffy'
Introducing a cat to a cat.
[more]
Rabbits
General and behavior information
[more]
Should I get a Puppy, Adolescent or Adult Dog?
General information on all three.
[more]
So, You Want to Get a Puppy...
A puppy is a lifetime commitment, and that means for its entire lifetime.
[more]
Mountain Lions
General information about mountain lions.
[more]
Tree Squirrels
General description and control information.
( palo alto animal services )
[more]
Regulations that Vary by Community
Summary of regulations that vary by community.
[more]
Complaints about Nuisance Animals
General complaint information for animal bite, barking dog, animal cruelty or abuse, sanitation, wildlife and more.
[more]
Surrender an Animal
Information on surrendering  an animal.
[more]
General Behavior Information
General pet behavior information
[more]
Animal Adoption
Downloadable forms for animal adoption.
Cat Adoption Application
Cat adoption application to download, fill out and bring in with you.
Revision Date: 06/19/2006
Dog Adoption Application
Dog adoption application to download, fill out and bring in with you.
Revision Date: 06/19/2006
Dog License Application
Dog License Application
Revision Date: 06/17/2008
Other Small Animal, Bird or Snake Adoption Application
Bird, snake, or other small animal (other than dog, cat or rabbit) adoption application to download, fill out and bring in with you.
Revision Date: 06/19/2006
Rabbit Adoption Application
Rabbit adoption application to download, fill out and bring in with you.
Revision Date: 06/19/2006
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