Animal Control

As of July 1, 2023, Seal Beach Police Department took over animal control services. If you need animal control services or need to report stray, aggressive, or dead animals, please call Seal Beach Police Dispatch at (562) 594-7232. If you have any questions regarding animal control, please call (562) 799-4100 ext. 1606 or email animalcontrol@sealbeachca.gov.

Issues involving vermin should be referred to the Orange County Mosquito & Vector Control District. Vermin include mice, rats, mosquitoes, red fire ants, Africanized honey bees, and other similar pests. Please visit the Orange County Mosquito & Vector Control District's website or call the Orange County Mosquito & Vector Control District at (714) 971-2421 for more information.

Pet Licensing

As a rabies control measure, all dogs over the age of four months are required, by law, to be licensed. Making sure your pet has its current license attached to its collar is also your best insurance of having your pet returned to you in case he or she becomes lost or gets out of your yard. The pet license also identifies if your pet is currently vaccinated against rabies. 

Our partners at Pet Data handle all dog licensing within the city of Seal Beach. To register your dog please visit https://www.petdata.com/for-pet-owners/seb/license-online or call 1-877-730-6348.

WAGS Pet Adoption Policy

Seal Beach partners with WAGS to provide shelter and care for domestic animals. “WAGS is committed to animal welfare. Our mission is to provide the best care, advocacy, and shelter for lost and unhealthy animals seeking new, permanent, loving homes.” 

If you would like to know more about WAGS you can visit their web page at https://wagspetadoption.org 

CONTACT WAGS
(714) 887-6156 (Text messages only)
6621 Westminster Blvd.
Westminister, Ca, 92683

OPEN Tue – Sun form 1:00pm to 5:00pm

 

Mosquitoes & West Nile Virus

Infected mosquitoes spread the West Nile virus, which can cause serious, life-altering, and even fatal disease. Using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and long pants, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs can help avoid mosquito bites and therefore reduce possible exposure to the West Nile virus.

More information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website.

Coyotes

Seal Beach Coyote Management Plan

Residents should take precautions to avoid creating potential problems.

• Feed pets indoors or promptly remove dishes when pets complete their meals outdoors. Store bags of pet food indoors.
• Use trash barrels fitted with pipe clamping devices on the lids to prevent spills.
• Remove fallen fruit – particularly avocados, from yards and orchards. Fallen fruit will attract other food ‘sources’ for coyotes.
• Clear brush and dense weeds around your property. This deprives shelter to rodents and reduces protective cover for coyotes.
• Keep small animals indoors as much as possible, especially at night.
• Do not feed or provide water to coyotes or other wildlife.
• Do not use plastic bags as garbage containers. Coyotes will rummage through them looking for food.
• Do not put trash cans out the night before the scheduled pick up. Put them out in the morning. Coyotes are intelligent and learn to knock them over to access the contents.

Coyotes visit at nighttime and during the day. They display no fear in the presence of people. Please be very cautious when leaving animals and small children unattended outdoors. Coyotes can jump up to 14 feet and wrought iron or chain link fence does not deter them.

Over the past several years, coyote sightings have become more common within the City of Seal Beach. Although statistics show attacks on humans are extremely rare, it is always a good idea to regularly remind the residents of our City how to safely co-exist with coyotes.

First and foremost, the most effective way to prevent coyote attacks in our neighborhoods is to eliminate the feeding of any wildlife whether intentionally or accidentally. That means keep trash cans secure, do not leave pet food outside and do not feed them food of any kind. Coyotes are generally timid and shy animals that tend to steer clear of any potential danger and thus pose little threat to humans.

Residents with small pets (less than 20 pounds) should supervise them while outdoors. Domestic cats left outdoors can also serve to attract coyotes. It is important that domestic cats and small dogs be kept indoors. A coyote cannot tell the difference between a small cat or dog and a rabbit, mouse or any other food source.

Always use a secure, sturdy leash when walking your dog. Retractable leashes are not recommended as they tend to jam and can make it difficult for you to protect your pet from a predator.

If you see a coyote during the daytime or are approached by a coyote, you should yell, wave your arms and/or throw something at it. Do not run as this will cause the coyote to pursue what it thinks is prey.

Most importantly, share this information with your neighbors.

Please watch Coexisting with the Urban Coyote.


FAQ

How do I keep wildlife out of my yard?

  • Keep pet food indoors and do not leave food outside at night.
  • Keep cats and small dogs indoors or close to an adult.
  • Remove any fruit which has fallen to the ground.
  • Keep yards free from thick brush and weeds.
  • Enclose the bottoms of porches and decks.
  • Eliminate garbage, debris, lumber piles, etc.
  • Check fencing and try to eliminate access points to roof tops.
  • Change automatic sprinkler settings regularly.
  • Taking these preventive measures should help in deterring wildlife from visiting your yard. Please remember that if the three life-sustaining elements (food, water, and shelter) are available, you are likely to encounter some wildlife in the surrounding area.

What Should I do about a stray, found, or dead animal in my yard or on the road?

  • Call the non-emergency dispatch line at 562-594-7232.  Animal control officers will respond to pick it up.
  • Special note about community cats: Animal Control will only pick up community cats that are sick, injured, or distressed.

I found a swarm of bees – what can I do about them?

  • Leave the swarm alone and do one of the following:
    • If the bees are on City-owned property, please call us at 949-644-3717 and request an Animal Control response.
    • If the bees are on private property, contact a local bee keeper or pest control company to assist.

What to do if I believe Abuse/Cruelty/Neglect is occurring?

  • Laws protect animals against abuse, cruelty and neglect. These crimes are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. To report suspected cases for investigation, please contact Seal Beach Police Dispatch at 562-594-7232.

What to do in the occurrence of an animal bite

  • If you are bitten or scratched by any animal, seek immediate medical advice or attention Any person having knowledge of anyone having been bitten or scratched by a warm-blooded animal should immediately notify the Seal Beach Animal Control. Anyone willfully concealing this information is guilty of a misdemeanor. All instances of animal bites should be reported within 24 hours. In order to protect humans and other animals against the transmission of rabies or other diseases, Animal Control must document that the biting animal stays healthy for a period of 10 days after the bite occurs. To report a bite incident involving a loose or wild animal, please call 562-594-7232. Try to keep the animal’s whereabouts known until an animal control officer arrives. Do not put yourself or others at risk by attempting to restrain an aggressive or unfamiliar animal on your own. Please be prepared to provide the following information:
    1. Victim name and contact information
    2. Description of the biting animal
    3. Place and circumstances of bite
    4. Description and location of wounds sustained
    5. Animal Limits and Types

What to do about deceased or injured animals

  • To report a deceased or injured animal in the City of Seal Beach but not located on a freeway, please call Seal Beach Non-Emergency dispatch at 562-594-7232. To report an injured live animal located on any freeway, please call California Highway Patrol at 714-567-6000. To report a deceased animal located on any freeway, please call CalTrans at 949-936-3600. Seal Beach Animal Control will provide emergency care for stray animals only. When the pet is claimed, the owner will then be responsible for all costs incurred. If you are the owner of a sick or injured pet, it is your responsibility to take it to a veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital for care. Your phone book can provide you with a complete listing of veterinarians and emergency veterinary services. If you are interested in private cremation or burial for your deceased pet, check with your veterinarian to help you with those arrangements, or look in the phone book for other pet aftercare options.

What is Rabies

  • Rabies is a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. It is spread by saliva from infected animals, usually from a scratch or bite. Rabies is 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear. The most effective way to control rabies is to have every dog and cat vaccinated.
  • To learn more about public health concerns with rabies, visit the Center for Disease Control

What is vector control (Fire Ants, Flies, Mice, Mosquitoes, Rats, Ticks)

  • Vectors are animals or insects such as fire ants, flies, mice, mosquitoes, rats, and ticks that can transmit diseases to humans. Seal Beach Animal Control does not provide vector control services. Call the Orange County Vector Control District for response to vector-related questions and complaints. A trained vector control technician can help you decide the best way to solve any problems. Orange County Vector Control District 13001 Garden Grove Blvd. Garden Grove, CA 92843 Mailing address: P.O. Box 87, Santa Ana, CA 92702 (714) 971-2421 or (800) 734-2421www.ocvcd.org