Residents will soon be able to pick and choose pet care facilities as they do restaurants, when letter grades are posted prominently by the entrance.
 Operators of pet stores and kennels will be required to display a placard showing the grade they receive during their annual inspection thanks to a law passed by Santa Clarita city officials Oct. 12…

 “For a lot of people, their animals are a part of their family,” said Brenda Jimenez, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. “When they go away, they want their pets well taken care of and they want the comfort to know their pets are well taken care of.”
     The system is modeled on the one used to rate the restaurant industry, and consists of inspecting premises and rating the quality of care provided. The grade reflects how well businesses comply with regulations. The placards will be posted at pet stores, kennels and other facilities where animals are housed overnight.
    The frequency and criteria of inspections remains the same — the big difference is that patrons will now be privy to the information.
    “I think it’s great,” said Santa Clarita resident Bella Daryani, whose fluffy tan Persian cat has not yet spent a night away from home. With the regulation, “you know animals are in a clean place.”
    Scores of 90 percent and above rate an “A,” 80 to 89 percent garner a “B” and 70 to 79 percent earn a “C,” the lowest grade given. Facilities that cannot muster a “C” will face sanctions.

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