Top o’ Topanga Cat Guidelines

Found a cat? Here’s a guide on what to do next: https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/if-you-found-a-pet/

DO:

• Spay or neuter your cat – it saves lives, and it’s the law! LA County Code requires all dogs and cats in Topanga over four months old to be spayed or neutered. Your pet will be healthier, safer, and live longer if fixed. https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/spay-and-neuter/

• Get your cat recommended and required vaccines – LA County Code requires all pets in Topanga to be vaccinated against rabies each year or every three years with an approved three-year vaccine. Talk to your vet about additional vaccines against feline leukemia, feline panleukopenia, and other serious diseases.

• https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/vaccinations/

• https://www.aaha.org/resources/2020-aahaaafp-feline-vaccination-guidelines/core-vaccines-for-pet-cats/ 

• Get your cat licensed – LA County Code requires that all pets in Topanga to be licensed! https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/licensing 

• Get your cat microchipped – LA County Code requires all pets to be microchipped.

• https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/microchips/ – then register the chip for free with https://www.24petwatch.com – or your vet can recommend another registration service.

• Get your cat a breakaway cat collar and a tag with your contact info – you can make a tag at Petco or another pet store or order online from Chewy or another company.

• Get pet insurance! It’s not expensive, and if your cat gets sick, don’t let money be the reason you don’t get treatment for them. There are many options for pet insurance, including MetLife Pet Insurance, Fetch, Trupanion, Lemonade, Pumpkin, and more. Ask other pet owners for recommendations or look online: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/pet-insurance 

• Find a good vet! There are many good vets in Topanga and nearby areas including Woodland Hills and Calabasas. You can get recommendations from neighbors or on Topanga NextDoor, WhatsApp, or Facebook groups. In an emergency, VCA Veterinary Specialists of the Valley and Access San Fernando Valley are both nearby, among others. CareCredit can be helpful for vet bills and emergencies.

• Keep your cat indoors! There are coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes and mountain lions in our neighborhood, in addition to occasional stray dogs. HOA rules state: “Pets shall not be permitted to roam at large.”

• Register your pet with the HOA! HOA Rules state: “Residents with cats or dogs must complete, sign, and return a Pet Agreement with a recent photo of each cat or dog to the onsite manager.” Check with the Onsite Office for the forms. totonsiteoffice@gmail.com 

• Keep your cat well-groomed and flea and tick free! Ask your vet for recommendations for grooming and flea and tick prevention/treatment.

• Keep a cat carrier at home for bringing your cat to the vet and in case of evacuation due to wildfire or other natural disaster. A carrier with both a top and front opening is easier for getting a cat in and out.

DON’T:

• Don’t have more than two cats and/or dogs! HOA rules state: “Dogs and cats are not to exceed two (2) in the aggregate per residence.”

• Do not declaw! It’s painful, inhumane and leaves them unable to defend themselves if they do get out accidentally. It’s also illegal in LA County!

• Once again - don’t allow your cat to go outside! Wildlife and cars are not safe for them, and cats are bad for bird populations. Make sure any visitors or workers in your home don’t let the cat out accidentally.