Animal Control officers will be conducting field licensing enforcement in several areas of Los Angeles County beginning this week.

Officers from the county of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control will be conducting field licensing enforcement in the unincorporated areas of San Pedro (zip codes 90731 and 90732), Palos Verdes (zip code 90274), Harbor City (zip code 90710), Torrance (zip code 90502), Gardena (zip codes 90248 and 90249) and Los Angeles County (zip code 90061) beginning on Wednesday, Nov.18, 2015.

Field enforcement efforts are designed to ensure that residents’ dogs and cats are in compliance with mandatory licensing requirements, spay and neuter and microchipping. Additionally, California law requires that all dogs over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies and licensed.

In addition, the county of Los Angeles requires the same for all cats. As of Jan. 1, 2014, puppies may be vaccinated at three months but are not required to be vaccinated until four months of age.

Securing a dog or cat license is essential to assisting animal control agencies if a pet becomes lost.

Pet owners must be in compliance with licensing, spay and neuter, and microchipping if they reside in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County (as well as within cities that contract with the county and who have adopted the county’s Title 10 ordinance).

Residents not in compliance will be subject to license fees, delinquency charges and a $40 field enforcement fee (to offset the cost of the department’s field services). In order to avoid penalties, be sure your pet is licensed.

A new license can be secured by printing the application online at www.animalcare.lacounty.gov and mailing it to Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control or by visiting a local county animal care center.

Residents may also renew online if a pet’s license is not delinquent at the website: www.animalcare.lacounty.gov. Information on licensing fees can also be found on the website.