Animal Control officers enforce state laws and municipal codes concerning animals, manage all complaints related to animals, and assist officers in resolving a variety of problems involving animals. All matters involving live animals have top priority and every effort is made to keep lost pets safe and to return them to their owners. We care about the animals in our city, and are one of the few police departments in Orange County that has its own Animal Control officers.
If you need to contact one of the many other shelters in Orange County please click here.
Are there regulations on the maximum number of pets permissible?
The City of Westminster allows up to three adult dogs (over the age of 4 months), and/or three adult cats (over the age of 4 months) per residence. Any more than that would require an application for an animal permit. If you have, or maintain, more than three adult dogs or three adult cats, and you do not have an animal permit, you are in violation of Westminster Municipal Ordinance, and may be subject to citation. You may call Animal Control for additional information,
714-898-3315, ext. 365.
Does the City have any dog parks?
The City of Westminster has no off-leash dog parks. However, dogs are allowed in all of our parks as long as the dog is kept on a leash no more than six feet in length, and is in the hands of a person capable of controlling the dog. You must pick up any feces your dog may leave in the park, or on any sidewalk or street.
I have a problem with rats &/or other pests.
Call Orange County Vector Control for rat problems at 714- 971-2422, or visit their website at http://www.ocvcd.org/. Any other type of pest removal, such as gophers and mice, is the responsibility of the property owner. The property owner is responsible for contacting a private pest removal service. Other types of wildlife may be protected by state or federal law. Please call Animal Control (714-898-3315, ext. 365) to discuss your individual situation.
I have a sick or injured pet.
It is the pet owner’s responsibility to obtain veterinary care if the pet is sick or injured. There is always a veterinarian office open, if your pet becomes ill/injured on a weekend, or after normal business hours. Look in the Yellow Pages for the phone numbers of the 24-hour emergency veterinarian facilities.
I have been bitten by an animal.
If you have been bitten and the skin is broken, it may require a quarantine of that animal. Dogs and cats are routinely subject to quarantine, if they have broken the skin of a human. Not all animals are subject to quarantine. Rabbits, rodents, and hamsters are among those animals not subject to quarantine. Notify Animal Control as soon as possible so we may arrange for a quarantine, if needed.
(714-898-3315, ext. 365)
I have lost my pet.
Please notify Westminster Animal Control (714-898-3315,
ext. 365), if your pet is missing. We will create a “lost slip” with owner information in case the animal is picked up at a later date. Anyone losing a pet should make a strong effort to personally check the Orange County Humane Society, and any other shelters close by. A phone call to Animal Assistance League can be helpful, 714-978-PETS.
I need information about rabies.
Rabies is a viral disease affecting most warm-blooded animals. OrangeCounty is a declared rabies area by the State of California because cases of rabies are still found in bats. Even though only two or three bats test positive for rabies each year in OrangeCounty, it is confirmed that rabies is still present in the county. Strict quarantine procedures will apply to an animal subject to quarantine. It has been many years since any dog has been confirmed with rabies in OrangeCounty, but the fact that rabies is still present in a few bats means we must look seriously at any animal bite to determine if quarantine is necessary. Please call Animal Control if you have any concerns.
I want to adopt a pet (dogs, cats & rabbits) The Orange County Humane Society is also an adoption agency. You may call them to see what animals are available at 714 536-8480, or go to view available animals between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM daily. (They are closed on major holidays.)
I want to complain about barking dogs. If a neighbor's dog is bothering you because of noise, it's preferable that you first try to contact the neighbor personally to see if the problem can be worked out before calling Animal Control. If that doesn't solve the problem, you may call Animal Control to make a complaint. (714 -898-3315, x365). You must leave your name, address, and phone number so we can register a complaint. You must know the address where the dog lives. A description of the dog is very important. We will ask you specific questions as to the dates and times that the dog's barking has been a nuisance to you. Additional information will be given to you at that time.
I want to give my dog or cat away for adoption.
If you live in Westminster and cannot keep your pet any longer, you may call Westminster Animal Control (714-898-3315, ext.365) to arrange for a pick-up, however, certain fees and restrictions apply. You may also take the animal to the Orange County Humane Society, but you must call them first (714 536-8484) to see what fees apply. Adoption is not guaranteed, as many factors must be taken into consideration before an animal is deemed adoptable.
I want to report a stray dog / cat.
Call Animal Control (714-898-3315, ext. 365). If the recording is on, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible. We check our recorder many times a day. If it is urgent, push extension 328 and ask if a dispatcher can relay the information.
I want to report an abused pet.
If the abused pet lives in the City of Westminster, you may call Westminster Animal Control (714-898-3315, ext. 365). If the pet lives in another city, you will have to notify that city's animal control department.
I want to report cruelty to animals.
If you have information about illegal activity in progress that constitutes an immediate threat to someone’s physical safety or property, contact the emergency number of the police department (911).Otherwise, if you have information about a crime that has occurred in the City of Westminster, then contact the police department via our business line (714-898-3315) to report the information you have.
I want to volunteer to work with animals.
The Orange County Humane Society has a volunteer program. Please call them for information: 714-536-8480.
I would like a dead animal removed.
Please call Animal Control (714-898-3315, ext. 365) for arrangements. Pick-up fees will be charged.
There is a dangerous animal on my property.
Try to keep the problem animal in view, but do not approach it. Call Animal Control. If you get the Animal Control recording at 714 - 898-3315, ext.365, push ext. 328 and talk to a dispatcher to find out who is available to respond to your location.
What are the leash laws?
All dogs must be on a leash no longer that six feet in length, and in the hands of a person capable of controlling the dog, when on any/all public property. The dog cannot be on any private property unless the dog’s owner has permission from the property owner.
What can I do about barking dogs?
If a neighbor’s dog is bothering you because of noise, it is preferable that you first try to contact the neighbor personally to see if the problem can be worked out before calling Animal Control. If that does not solve the problem, you may call Animal Control to make a complaint (714-898-3315, ext. 365). You must leave your name, address, and phone number so we can register a complaint. You must know the address where the dog lives. A description of the dog is very important. We will ask specific questions as to dates and times that the dog’s barking has been a nuisance to you. Additional information will be given to you at that time.
What can be done about stray cats.
Cats will not be picked up unless they are confined prior to pick up in a suitable container that can be placed on the Animal Control unit. Many stray cats cannot be handled or touched. If that is the situation call Animal Control and see if a humane trap is available. You will be given information as to how to acquire a trap and what type of fees are involved.
Where can I get my pet spayed or neutered?
Most all veterinary hospitals offer spay and neuter services. Please look in the Yellow Pages and choose a hospital for this service.
Where do I get a license for my dog / cat?
Call Animal Control (714-898-3315, ext. 365) and we will send you an application. The application will have instructions and can be returned by mail. We currently do not have a cat licensing program.
Where can I get a hunting license?
Call the Fish and Game Department 916-227-2245.Some sporting goods stores sell them, as well.
Where can I get a fishing license?
Call the Fish and Game Department 916-227-2245.Some sporting goods stores sell them, as well.
Who do I contact about bees?
At this time, there is no public agency that will remove bees from private property. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Pest Control” to find bee removal services. You may call Animal Control for additional phone numbers, but Animal Control does not respond to bee problems of any kind. If someone is attacked and stung numerous times by a swarm of bees, call 911 to see if the Fire Department can respond.
Animal Control officers enforce state laws and municipal codes concerning animals, 
