Forget "man's best friend" — anyone who's ever owned a pup knows they're more like kin. In fact, after the holidays, some of us may even feel like our dogs are the only beings we don't need in small doses (the same can't be said for other members of our fam). Seriously, though, who could ever get tired of being on the receiving end of a sloppy wet smooch after a long day? Those precious moments are exactly why we strive to be the best parents and always pamper our pooches with pedigree (and we don't mean the dog-food brand!).
Since it's tough to navigate the ins and outs of the furry world, we've got the lowdown on our favorite L.A.-based groomers, boarding facilities, vets, adoption agencies — you name it — for all of you folks with maternal (mutt) instincts. Whether your bundle of joy is a rescue pup off the DTLA streets or a 90210 purebred, let us be your guide.
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Photos (From Left, Clockwise): Via Go Dog LA; Bluecollar Working Dog; Huntington Dog Beach; Chateau Marmutt
Emotional Rescue
Animal Advocates Alliance
This set of Fido defenders is one-hundred-percent devoted to finding "forever homes" for abandoned little pals. They're the saints of strays and frequently host mobile and off-site adoptions for hopeful new owners. Rescuing out of one of the highest kill shelters in Baldwin Park, AAA gives new meaning to warm fuzzies!
Animal Advocates Alliance, 137 North Larchmont Boulevard #708 (near Beverly Boulevard); 310-285-8422.
D Cups Saving Tea Cups
Don't let the cheeky name fool you, these ladies mean business — there's plenty of bite behind their bark! We've witnessed founder and activist Kim Sill in action, rescuing two homeless (and adorable) mutts right outside of our offices. Her group spent a year protesting pet shops, and now works directly with them to change their business models from mills to more humane shelter-swoops.
D Cups Saving Tea Cups
Much Love Animal Rescue
This non-profit has given the gift of puppy love to more people in town than we can count. Since it began in '99, over 3,000 dogs have been adopted, sometimes within hours of scheduled euthanization. The doggies they've emancipated are some of the most captivating canines we've seen, too!
Much Love Animal Rescue
For Pup Playdates
Huntington Dog Beach
Other than Leo Carrillo in Malibu, this is one of the only stretches of sand in SoCal where your pooch can play freely (even sans leash!). Pack your doggy bags, a picnic, and take a dip with your dog in tow!
Huntington Dog Beach Pacific Coast Highway (between Seapoint Avenue and 21st Street).
Laurel Canyon Dog Park
Set in a picturesque canyon straddling Laurel Canyon and Studio City, you'll find a massive grassy knoll where your furball can roam free and fraternize with friends. And, if you're single, you may want to apply some gloss — this spot is for mingling of all species!
Laurel Canyon Dog Park, 8260 Mulholland Drive (near Laurel Canyon Boulevard); 818-762-7246.
Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park
It's pretty annoying that so many hikes in L.A. don't allow dogs. After all, you both need fresh air and exercise, right? Well, Westridge is the perfect fire road for the two (or three!) of you to burn some calories after too many treats. It's a stunning 1,500 acres of untouched outdoors, a tough trek in some parts, and you'll all leave tails wagging with a sense of accomplishment.
Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park, 17500 Mulholland Drive (near West Mandeville Fire Road); no phone.
Creature Comforts
Chateau Marmutt
The name totally gives away this boutique's MO — it's all about the VID (very important dog) factor at this Beverly Boulevard space. You'll spot plush beds mixed with avant-garde attire and there's even aromatherapy grooming, weight-loss programs, massages, and shuttle services. Yeah, all those amenities we need!
Chateau Marmutt, 8162 Beverly Boulevard (near North La Jolla Avenue); 323-653-2062.
The Modern Dog
Inside a sweet '20s bungalow on Abbot Kinney lies a serious array of lifestyle accessories organized neatly in each room of the former home. There are yummies in the "kitchen," beds and toys in the "living room," and everything in between. Whether your pooch is a Great Dane or a Yorkie and your style modern or more down-home, it will be tough to leave empty-handed.
The Modern Dog 1611 Abbot Kinney Boulevard (near Rialto Avenue); 310-450-2275.
The Urban Pet
With locations in Silver Lake, Mid-City, and Pasadena, a big chunk of our urban sprawl is covered by UP. It's a well-balanced diet of both the practical and posh: from healthy foods, eco-friendly products, dog training, vaccinations, and teeth cleaning to fun accoutrements and even pet photography, it's a one-stop critter shop.
The Urban Pet, 4475 Santa Monica Boulevard (near North Virgil Avenue); 323-664-4700.
Blue Collar Working Dog
This isn't the place for Paris Hilton-style bow wows, we'll tell you that much! You won't find sparkly collars or cutesy garb, but service-dog equipment, weight vests, and any accessory an active dog needs to stay on top of his or her game. It also offers strict obedience classes, fine-tuned workshops, and dog-walking services.
Blue Collar Working Dog, 1533 Echo Park Avenue (near Grafton Street); 213-977-9042.
No-Stress Vets
Beverly Hills Small Animal Hospital
Open since 1930, this clinic is the crème de la crème for vet care. Dr. Winters is a dog whisperer of sorts, and soothes human anxiety over pet ailments with his oh-so-calm demeanor, too.
Beverly Hills Small Animal Hospital, 353 North Foothill Road (at Alden Drive); 310-276-7113.
Laurel Pet Hospital
The folks here will tend to your dog like their very own — compawssion at its very finest! We've gone in with a serious situation and within an hour, a plan of attack was mapped, meds were in hand, and we left feeling absolutely confident our creature received the best care in town. If you're ever in a bind, this is a great spot to put on your emergency contact list since they have a well-stocked pharmacy, in-hospital surgery suite, digital x-ray equipment, dental radiography, endoscopy, ultrasound, and CO2 laser capabilities, all on site.
Laurel Pet Hospital, 7970 Santa Monica Boulevard (at North Edinburgh Avenue); 323-654-7060.
Since it's tough to navigate the ins and outs of the furry world, we've got the lowdown on our favorite L.A.-based groomers, boarding facilities, vets, adoption agencies — you name it — for all of you folks with maternal (mutt) instincts. Whether your bundle of joy is a rescue pup off the DTLA streets or a 90210 purebred, let us be your guide.
Photos (From Left, Clockwise): Via Go Dog LA; Bluecollar Working Dog; Huntington Dog Beach; Chateau Marmutt
Emotional Rescue
Animal Advocates Alliance
This set of Fido defenders is one-hundred-percent devoted to finding "forever homes" for abandoned little pals. They're the saints of strays and frequently host mobile and off-site adoptions for hopeful new owners. Rescuing out of one of the highest kill shelters in Baldwin Park, AAA gives new meaning to warm fuzzies!
Animal Advocates Alliance, 137 North Larchmont Boulevard #708 (near Beverly Boulevard); 310-285-8422.
D Cups Saving Tea Cups
Don't let the cheeky name fool you, these ladies mean business — there's plenty of bite behind their bark! We've witnessed founder and activist Kim Sill in action, rescuing two homeless (and adorable) mutts right outside of our offices. Her group spent a year protesting pet shops, and now works directly with them to change their business models from mills to more humane shelter-swoops.
D Cups Saving Tea Cups
Much Love Animal Rescue
This non-profit has given the gift of puppy love to more people in town than we can count. Since it began in '99, over 3,000 dogs have been adopted, sometimes within hours of scheduled euthanization. The doggies they've emancipated are some of the most captivating canines we've seen, too!
Much Love Animal Rescue
For Pup Playdates
Huntington Dog Beach
Other than Leo Carrillo in Malibu, this is one of the only stretches of sand in SoCal where your pooch can play freely (even sans leash!). Pack your doggy bags, a picnic, and take a dip with your dog in tow!
Huntington Dog Beach Pacific Coast Highway (between Seapoint Avenue and 21st Street).
Laurel Canyon Dog Park
Set in a picturesque canyon straddling Laurel Canyon and Studio City, you'll find a massive grassy knoll where your furball can roam free and fraternize with friends. And, if you're single, you may want to apply some gloss — this spot is for mingling of all species!
Laurel Canyon Dog Park, 8260 Mulholland Drive (near Laurel Canyon Boulevard); 818-762-7246.
Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park
It's pretty annoying that so many hikes in L.A. don't allow dogs. After all, you both need fresh air and exercise, right? Well, Westridge is the perfect fire road for the two (or three!) of you to burn some calories after too many treats. It's a stunning 1,500 acres of untouched outdoors, a tough trek in some parts, and you'll all leave tails wagging with a sense of accomplishment.
Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park, 17500 Mulholland Drive (near West Mandeville Fire Road); no phone.
Creature Comforts
Chateau Marmutt
The name totally gives away this boutique's MO — it's all about the VID (very important dog) factor at this Beverly Boulevard space. You'll spot plush beds mixed with avant-garde attire and there's even aromatherapy grooming, weight-loss programs, massages, and shuttle services. Yeah, all those amenities we need!
Chateau Marmutt, 8162 Beverly Boulevard (near North La Jolla Avenue); 323-653-2062.
The Modern Dog
Inside a sweet '20s bungalow on Abbot Kinney lies a serious array of lifestyle accessories organized neatly in each room of the former home. There are yummies in the "kitchen," beds and toys in the "living room," and everything in between. Whether your pooch is a Great Dane or a Yorkie and your style modern or more down-home, it will be tough to leave empty-handed.
The Modern Dog 1611 Abbot Kinney Boulevard (near Rialto Avenue); 310-450-2275.
The Urban Pet
With locations in Silver Lake, Mid-City, and Pasadena, a big chunk of our urban sprawl is covered by UP. It's a well-balanced diet of both the practical and posh: from healthy foods, eco-friendly products, dog training, vaccinations, and teeth cleaning to fun accoutrements and even pet photography, it's a one-stop critter shop.
The Urban Pet, 4475 Santa Monica Boulevard (near North Virgil Avenue); 323-664-4700.
Blue Collar Working Dog
This isn't the place for Paris Hilton-style bow wows, we'll tell you that much! You won't find sparkly collars or cutesy garb, but service-dog equipment, weight vests, and any accessory an active dog needs to stay on top of his or her game. It also offers strict obedience classes, fine-tuned workshops, and dog-walking services.
Blue Collar Working Dog, 1533 Echo Park Avenue (near Grafton Street); 213-977-9042.
No-Stress Vets
Beverly Hills Small Animal Hospital
Open since 1930, this clinic is the crème de la crème for vet care. Dr. Winters is a dog whisperer of sorts, and soothes human anxiety over pet ailments with his oh-so-calm demeanor, too.
Beverly Hills Small Animal Hospital, 353 North Foothill Road (at Alden Drive); 310-276-7113.
Laurel Pet Hospital
The folks here will tend to your dog like their very own — compawssion at its very finest! We've gone in with a serious situation and within an hour, a plan of attack was mapped, meds were in hand, and we left feeling absolutely confident our creature received the best care in town. If you're ever in a bind, this is a great spot to put on your emergency contact list since they have a well-stocked pharmacy, in-hospital surgery suite, digital x-ray equipment, dental radiography, endoscopy, ultrasound, and CO2 laser capabilities, all on site.
Laurel Pet Hospital, 7970 Santa Monica Boulevard (at North Edinburgh Avenue); 323-654-7060.