Top o’ Topanga Dog Guidelines
Found a dog? Here’s a guide on what to do next: https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/if-you-found-a-pet/
DO:
• Spay or neuter your dog – 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 dog 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 canine parvovirus, canine distemper, canine bordetella, and other serious diseases. https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/vaccinations
• Get your dog licensed – LA County Code requires that all pets in Topanga to be licensed! https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/licensing
• Get your dog 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 dog a 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 dog 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 dog leashed! There are coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes and mountain lions in our neighborhood. HOA rules state: “Dogs and cats must be restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and must be in the charge, care, custody or control of a competent person at all times when outside the Resident's home..” and “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 dog well-groomed and flea and tick free! Ask your vet for recommendations for grooming and flea and tick prevention/treatment.
• Keep a pet carrier at home for travel and in case of evacuation due to wildfire or other natural disaster.
• Please pick up after your pet! Pick up dog poop immediately and dispose of it appropriately.
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 leave your dog unattended in your yard! HOA rules state: “Pets must not be tethered, tied, or chained outside or left outside, including in a fenced yard."
• Don’t keep an aggressive/dangerous dog. Check with the oZice on which dog breeds are not allowed.
• Don’t allow your dog to pee or poop in other homeowners’ yards! Thank you!