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Animal Care FAQ's


How do I report a stray dog?

To report a stray dog, please contact the City of Garden Grove Animal Care Services at (714) 741-5565.

Where do I get my dog/cat license?

All pet licenses are done online or by mail through PetData. To license online, please visit www.petdata.com and enter your zip code under “license now” and follow the instructions. For renewals, please use your reference number listed on your renewal notice and follow the instructions. You can input your information and upload required documents and make a payment via a major credit card. For more information, you may contact PetData directly at (800) 510-7734. If you choose to license your dog by mail, send your payment, made to City of Garden Grove, along with copies of all required paperwork to:

Garden Grove Animal Licensing
c/o PetData
P.O. Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014-1929

How can I have a dead animal removed (stray and wildlife)?

Please contact Garden Grove Animal Care Services at (714) 741-5565. Please be aware that dead animal pick-ups are considered a low priority call. If animal control officers are currently responding to emergencies (animal bite, vicious animal, animal abuse, injured animal, etc.), it may be up to 24-48 hours before the dead animal is retrieved. Another option would be to use a shovel and gloves, and placing the animal in a plastic bag.

If you need removal of a dead bird, please contact OC Vector Control at (714) 971-2421.

How do I find a lost pet?

All animals that are picked up by Garden Grove Animal Care are posted online, ggcity.org/animal-care/found-animals and taken to the Orange County Humane Society at 21632 Newland St., Huntington Beach, CA 92646, (714) 536-8480. You may also email us at animalcare@ggcity.org with the description of the pet, the date the pet was last seen, and an attached picture of your pet, along with your address and phone number; if we receive any phone calls that someone has located your pet, or if we find your pet, we will contact you.

What if I find an animal?

If you find an animal you are required under GGMC 6.04.130 (B) to notify Garden Grove Animal Care Services. You can contact Garden Grove Animal Care for a pick-up, or take it to the Orange County Humane Society immediately in order to reduce the delay in reuniting pets with their rightful owners. If you are interested in keeping an animal you found, advise the shelter or the Animal Control Officer. If the owner is not located, you can apply to adopt it.

How do I report a barking dog?

To report a barking dog and file a formal complaint, please visit: https://ggcity.org/animal-care/barking-dogs

What should I do about pet abuse?

If you witness animal abuse or neglect, please contact Garden Grove Animal Care immediately. You can choose to remain anonymous, although providing your contact information allows us to follow up with you through the investigation. To file a report, please contact Garden Grove Animal Care (714) 741-5565 or you may email us at animalcare@ggcity.org

Are there regulations on number of pets?

GGMC 6.04.060 limits the total number of any animals kept on residential property to four (i.e. 4 dogs, or 2 dogs 2 cats, or 4 cats, etc.). For more information and a complete list, please refer to Garden Grove Municipal Code.

What if I'm bitten by an animal?

If you have been bitten by an animal, please contact Garden Grove Animal Care immediately at (714) 741-5565. An Animal Control Officer will contact you.

Please be aware withholding information on a dog bite is a misdemeanor (CA H&S Code 121710).

For more information on avoiding dog bites please visit: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/dog-bite-prevention

What if I have a bee problem?

Garden Grove Animal Care Services does not handle calls regarding bees or their removal. If you have a problem with bees on private property, please contact your local pest control removal company and/or a local beekeeper.

For honey bee swarms or nests in City-owned or maintained tree, call Garden Grove Public Works at (714) 741-5375.

What if I have a problem with rats and other pests?

Garden Grove Animal Care Services does not handle calls regarding rats or other pests. Please contact your local pest control removal company.

What about coyotes?

The City of Garden Grove has established a hotline number to report coyote sightings: (714) 741-5286.
Callers should include date, time, and location of sightings.

Please visit: Safety Prevention Against Coyotes

How can I find out about rabies?

For rabies education, please visit: http://www.rabiesaware.org/?state=ca&page=faq

What is the policy on wild animals?

Garden Grove Animal Care Services has implemented a citywide wild animal policy. The City will not respond to remove trapped wildlife. The trapping and relocation of wildlife without a permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife could be considered a violation. In addition, trapped wildlife exposes everyone to potential disease and injuries from bites and scratches. If you have any concerns or questions regarding wildlife, you may contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at (562) 342-7100 or visit https://www.wildlife.ca.gov