Veterinary Public Health Program
313 N Figueroa St. Rm 1127
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel (213) 989-7060
Tel: (877) 747-2243
Fax (213) 481-2375
vet@ph.lacounty.gov

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Veterinarians: To report an animal that you suspect to be rabid, click here.

Many infectious diseases in animals are legally reportable in Los Angeles County.  This includes many diseases diagnosed in dogs and cats. Los Angeles (LA) County is unique in having this legal requirement.  Ordinances mandating reporting were passed in LA County in 1926.

See the list of reportable diseases here.

To learn how to report diseases, scroll down on this page.

Why Report Animal Diseases? Animal disease reports are essential for tracking diseases in our county.  Many animal diseases can also infect people.  Veterinary Public Health uses these reports to better understand where and when diseases are occurring locally.  This information is used to educate veterinarians and physicians to better protect the health of animals and people.

Animal bites to people, and wild mammal contacts to domestic animals are also reportable. Rodent and rabbit bites are not reportable.  To read more about bite reporting, click here.

Who Should Report?  Anyone may report an animal disease. Veterinarians, animal shelter workers, and veterinary technicians have the most knowledge about local animal diseases and they report most often. However, any member of the public may report. 

What to Report?
1. Rabid Animals - animals suspected of having rabies
2. Animal bites to people - all animals except except rodents, squirrels, and rabbits
3. Bat contact - any direct contact between a bat and a person or pet/livestock.
4. Wild mammal bites - any potential bite from a wild mammal to a person or pet/livestock
5. Dead birds and tree squirrels (for West Nile Virus testing)
6. Outbreak - Many animals becoming ill around the same time and place
7. Animals/Humans sick with same symptoms, same location
8. Animal diseases not native to area or unusual animal diseases
9. Any disease in this list:
           List of Reportable Animal Diseases, 2010

How to Report?  Choose one of three ways:

1. Call our office at (213) 989-7060   or   (877) 747-2243 (in LA County)
                           
2. Download form (pdf), print out, complete, fax in.
   Follow the link below.
   Animal Disease and Bite Report Forms.
   
   
3. Online reporting general use reporting portals

You will be asked to fill out a form on a secure website. You will be prompted by your computer to accept a security alert when you access the form. Click Yes to proceed.

Online Public Reporting Portal |  Online Reporting Portal for Professionals

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• Vets: Public Health Guide 2010
• Physicians: Bite and Rabies Exposure Checklist and Vaccine ordering information
• Bite and Rabies Suspect Reporting
• Forms
• RECALLS
• California Rabies Compendium
• USDA Vet Accreditation 9/28/10
• Pet Import or Export of Animals from California
• Disaster Training for Vets (AVMA)
• Rabies Control Manual
• Manual of Zoonoses
• Veterinary Student Externship