Palo Alto Animal Control

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Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto Animal Control

We are the Animal Control Unit of the Palo Alto Police Dept. 24hr dispatch center: (650) 329-2413

Run by the City of Palo Alto as a division of the Police Department, we provide animal control services for Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills. 24hr emergency dispatch can be reached at 650-329-2413.

02/27/2026

We had some visitors from Sweden this week. Sadly, it wasn't their Olympic gold medal winning women's curling team. 🥌

Our friends at Palo Alto Open Space alerted us to three Swedish Blue ducks who presumably had been abandoned at the Baylands duck pond.

Animal Control Officers located the trio of ducks towards the back of the pond, coaxed them with yummy delicious food, and safely captured them with nets.

One of the ducks appeared to have lost his/her waterproofing, and was in the beginning stages of hypothermia. This is a reminder that domesticated animals rarely thrive in the wild. Additionally, abandoning animals is illegal in the state of California. We encourage animal owners who can no longer care for their pets, to reach out to local animal shelters or rescue groups, rather than abandoning animals in parks.

Luckily, these ducks will eventually be placed for adoption or sent to a rescue group and
get a second chance at a happy life. 🦆🦆🦆

12/14/2025

Meowy Howliday Pet Food & Supply Giveaway has begun 🎁🎄✨

11/06/2025

Can you see it?

Last week, Officer Washington responded to a report of an opossum stuck almost three stories high on the outer wall of a residents house.

Officer Washington climbed a ladder and snare the animal gently and returned it safely to the ground quite quickly and release it nearby. The opossum appeared to be uninjured, just a teenager who got into a little trouble (we've all been there!)

Thanks to the eagle eyed resident for spotting him, and calling Animal Control for help!

If you see an animal in distress in Palo Alto, Los Altos, or Los Altos Hills, call the Palo Alto Police non-emergency dispatch at 650-329-2413 and an Animal Control Officer (ACO) will gladly respond to help.

11/03/2025

Here we ho ho ho again! 🎅🐾 It’s time for our annual Meowy Howlidays Pet Supply Drive!

From November 12th through December 12th, we’re collecting pet food, toys, cat litter, and cat & dog beds at locations across Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills. Can’t make it in person? You can also donate via our Amazon List here: https://a.co/7ubrB0U

We also accept monetary donations throughout the year to help us purchase supplies for our animal rescue efforts, and to help pet owners at our monthly Pet Pantries. You can donate here: https://licensepet.com/cpapay

Physical donation locations:

• Palo Alto City Hall
• Mitchell Park & Rinconada libraries
• Los Altos Hills Town Hall
• Los Altos Police Department
• Los Altos Hillview Community Center
• Pets In Need Palo Alto
• Palo Alto High School

Donations will be dispersed in conjunction with on December 14th from 3-6pm at 1854 Bay Rd., E. Palo Alto.

We thank you in advance for your generosity, and we wish everyone HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

City of Palo Alto - Public Agency City of Los Altos - City Hall City of Los Altos Police Department Town of Los Altos Hills

10/31/2025

This Little Piggy Went on an Adventure!🐷

Some sharp-eyed tweens spotted a small pig trotting down Colorado Ave on a Sunday and quickly contacted Palo Alto Animal Control.

It turns out this adventurous piglet had slipped away from a nearby petting zoo event. The zoo staff managed to catch one slippery pig already, but this one decided to made a break for it.

Thanks to teamwork between the zoo staff, a helpful Palo Alto resident, and Officer Washington, the piglet was safely reunited with the zoo.

A quick reminder — most animal related events in Palo Alto (especially ones involving livestock) require a permit from Animal Control to ensure safety and proper supervision for both animals and people. For more info and a permit application, go to www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol

09/07/2025

Where is he going? He is no where near a city sanctioned dog park. Also, don't ask to borrow his Chuck-It. 🎾🙈

Did you know that the City of Palo Alto has 5 dog parks throughout the city? Areas located within Mitchell Park, Hoover Park, Greer Park, Boulware Park, and Peers Park? (Los Altos also has 2 dog parks within McKenzie Park and Hillview Community Center; and Los Altos Hills has 1 dog park on Purissima Rd.)

Did you also know that all off leash activity not within a dog park is illegal?

Well, now you do. 🐕 Please be considerate to your neighbors and only run your dog in a city-sanctioned dog parks. Otherwise you open yourself up to a citation.

09/01/2025

🚫🐾 Thinking about setting your own trap for wildlife? You may end up catching the wrong animal. Skunks, raccoons, and opossums are often the unintended victims of backyard traps. And glue traps catch birds and reptiles.

Not only can this cause stress or injury to the animal, but it also puts you at risk of being sprayed, or bitten. (And your friendly neighborhood Animal Control Officer is tired of being sprayed by skunks when removing traps.)

👉 California law is strict when it comes to trapping wildlife. We recommend you know what you're getting yourself into so you are not found to be in violation, or better yet, leave trapping to the professionals!

Trapping is usually a short term solution to a long term problem. Call the Santa Clara County Vector Control District at 800-675-1155 for advice, or find a private pest control service.

*Animal Control Officers do not respond to reports of nuisance wildlife.

08/25/2025

Attention Cat Owners! 🚨

This time of year, Coyotes are quite active and pose a serious threat to outdoor cats, and even small dogs. Since July 1st, our Animal Control Officers have picked up *13* cats who were killed by a coyote; from the Foothills of Los Altos to the flat lands of Palo Alto (and there may be more that go unreported). Here are some tips to keep your cat safe:

✅ Keep cats indoors, at all times if possible, but especially at dawn and dusk
✅ Supervise outdoor time or use a secure cat enclosure
✅ Remove attractants like pet food, fallen fruit, bird feeders, and secure your garbage bins

Your cat’s safety depends on you—don’t let a coyote encounter turn tragic.

Learn more at our website: paloalto.gov/animalcontrol

07/18/2025

Move over books, there's a new kind of library in town!

Walk your dog... on a leash... down Fulton St. to stumble across this cute new installation. 🦮

07/13/2025

We had a great time at the Los Altos Art and Wine festival yesterday! We met a lot of great people and pets. Thanks dtlosaltos for having us!

07/12/2025

🎭🎨ART & WINE WEEKEND IS HERE!🍷🥂

Come see us in the Kid Zone tomorrow only! We'll have giveaways, a snake on display, plus you'll get to meet our lovely staff and much more. Hope to see you there!

Address

3281 E Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA
94303

Telephone

+16503292413

Website

https://linktr.ee/paloaltoac

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