This is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week and the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control is celebrating the community, the animals, staff and volunteers.

All six County Animal Care Centers will host an Open House from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 9. The Castaic shelter, serves the Santa Clarita valley and the surrounding areas, is located at 21044 N. Charlie Canyon Road.

“Our staff and volunteers are excited to extend some additional hospitality to visitors during our Open House,” said Marcia Mayeda, Director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control. “We will be offering animal care center tours, meet and greet opportunities with animal control officers, and volunteers will be on-hand to assist with pet adoption questions,” she added.

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National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week was started in 1996 as a way to acknowledge and promote the invaluable roles shelters play in the communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues and shelter services.

“There are many ways you can help your area shelter, such as volunteering, donating and adopting,” Mayeda said.  “We are proud to have the ASPCA as our sponsor for the Open House events on Wednesday, and we’re deeply appreciative for their generosity.”

The entire week is devoted to the campaign so Department officials encourage everyone to work in a little time into their busy schedules to visit their local animal shelter. Normal hours for County Animal Care Centers are open Monday – Thursday, 12pm to 7pm and Friday – Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CountyofLosAngelesAnimalCare. For more information and a look at some of the adoptable animals, click here.