Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control officers will be conducting field licensing enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake this February.

Field enforcement efforts will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 1 to ensure residents’ dogs and cats meet the mandatory licensing requirements, are spayed/neutered and microchipped.

California law also requires that dogs over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies and licensed, and the Los Angeles County requires the same for all cats.

Puppies may be vaccinated at three months, but are not required to be until four months of age.

Residents must be in compliance with licensing, spay/neuter and microchipping if they reside in unincorporated areas of LA County, as well as within cities that contract with the county and who have adopted the county’s Title 10 ordinance.

Local pet owners who are not in compliance with these requirements will face license fees, delinquency charges and a $40 field enforcement fee.

Obtaining a dog or cat license is essential to assisting animal control agencies locate a lost pet.

The Department of Animal Care and Control offers low-cost vaccination and microchip services as well as assistance to those who qualify for spay and neuter surgeries for pets.

To learn more about their services and to apply for or renew a license, click here.