Animal Attractions : From Canine playgrounds to rescue centers, L.A. County offers something for almost every animal lover.

1. LOS ANGELES PET MEMORIAL PARK

* 5068 N. Old Scandia Lane, Calabasas

This 10-acre literary landmark in the foothills of Calabasas was started in 1928 in the corner of a cattle grazing range. Later, the pet cemetery became the “Happier Hunting Ground” in English author Evelyn Waugh’s 1948 satirical novel, “The Loved One.” It’s now the final resting spot for about 40,000 animal best friends, from the obscure to the notable: Hopalong Cassidy’s horse Topper, Humphrey Bogart’s dog Droopy, Charlie Chaplin’s cat Boots, Rudolph Valentino’s dog Kabar, Tonto’s steed Scout in “The Lone Ranger,” and the speckled pooch Pete from “Our Gang.” Open 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Park open but office closed Sundays. (818) 591-7037.

Straddling the Gardena-Carson border sits Los Angeles County’s other animal graveyard. Pet Haven, the final resting place for more than 30,000 animals, was created in 1948 by a pet owner who was upset that a lack of water in Calabasas prevented him from growing grass over his dog’s grave there. Burial costs begin at $375 and cremation starts at $50. Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday. (310) 532-2477.

2. GUIDE DOGS OF AMERICA

* 13445 Glenoaks Blvd., Sylmar

This 6 1/2-acre Sylmar school, which relies entirely on private donations, is one of 11 guide dog schools in the country. It was founded in 1948 by Joseph W. Jones, a blind machinist who had been denied a guide dog by the one school that existed at that time. Its officials decided that at 59, he was too old for a guide dog. Here, golden and Labrador retrievers and German shepherds train for service to the blind. A free tour provides insight into dog care, breeding, training and housing for dogs and humans. Tours are available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily, but call first for reservations. (818) 362-5834.

3. WILDLIFE WAYSTATION

* 14831 Little Tujunga Canyon Road, Lake View Terrace

In a rugged, rocky canyon in the Angeles National Forest sits a 160-acre refuge for abandoned and abused animals, from crocodiles to cockatoos and bobcats to boa constrictors. More than 1,000 animals, forsaken by zoos or just needing a serene place to spend their final years, are cared for by a 15-member staff and 40 full-time and 175 part-time volunteers. Aside from educating the public about the needs of exotic and wild animals, the goal of the waystation--the only facility of its kind in the country--is to release into the wild those animals that can survive, and find homes for others. For information about volunteering or Sunday tours, (818) 899-5201.

4. WILDLIFE ON WHEELS

* Sunland

When it’s not roving, this perambulatory nonprofit storytelling and animal awareness program is parked on a one-acre ranch populated by a variety of exotic animals--llamas, monkeys, alligators, wildcats, foxes and an American bald eagle. The group’s compassion for animals also brings some of the tamer creatures to more than 100 schools and libraries a year. Birthday parties and petting zoos can also be scheduled. (818) 951-3656.

5. LONG BEACH POLICE ACADEMY

* 7380 E. Carson St.

Tucked away in a quiet corner near the vacant Long Beach Naval Hospital is the final resting place of some of the department’s most beloved police dogs. Under a 70-year-old carob tree lie 12 black polished headstones with laser-etched photos of dog and handler. Each pays tribute to a small legion of K-9 heroes, including an academy mascot--a beagle named Snoopy. Embedded in the concrete borders around the tombstones are the ashes of each dog. Bondo, a 4-year-old German shepherd and the first dog buried here, died in 1982 after chasing a burglary suspect; the man hit the dog on the head with a pipe wrench. A Rottweiler named Argo was killed in a three-story fall from a roof while chasing a burglary suspect. Other true and trusting friends: Justice, Kazan, Pax, Zeus and Canto. Walk through the main gate and ask the office for directions to the graveyard.

6. MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER

* Angels Gate Park

3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

The marine mammal hospital and convalescent center is one of six such facilities that line California’s coast. The center provides treatment and care for the hundreds of sick, injured, stranded or deliberately wounded marine mammals found on Los Angeles County beaches every year. Visitors can watch as trained volunteers feed and give injections to ailing seals and sea lions before they can be returned to their natural environment. The care center is open to the public every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, (310) 548-5677.

7. CAT LIBRARY

* 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale

A special collection room at the Glendale Central Library is home to the world’s largest collection of cat books and other feline-related material. This library gold mine has more than 20,000 cat books, photos, sketches, oil paintings and statuettes, including one cat book dating back to 1837. There are cat “stud books,” cat show catalogues dating from the 1890s that breeders use for pedigree searches and books of cat fiction and cat poetry. Telephone inquiries pour into the library from around the world. Books cannot be checked out or even carried from the room for photocopying. The collection is aimed at the breeder or serious cat owner. Cat people are encouraged to call before coming to make certain the librarian will be there. (818) 548-2020.

8. TRAVEL TOWN

* Griffith Park

5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles

All aboard! Take your pooch for a fun-filled, eight-minute ride at Griffith Park’s kiddie-sized locomotive in Travel Town. Listen to him howl when the whistle blasts and watch his ears flap as the train chugs past pens where goats, ponies, llamas and pigs live. Travel Town is open 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Trains run until 4:15 p.m. Train rides are $1.75 for adults, $1.25 for children 19 months to 13 years and $1 for senior citizens. Dogs ride free. (213) 662-9678.

For an equestrian experience, head to the pony rides at the other end of Griffith Park, near the carousel.

9. LAUREL CANYON PARK

* 8260 Mulholland Drive, Studio City

In the Hollywood Hills, south of Mulholland Drive, urban dog lovers can let their pets romp untethered in a 3.7-acre, partially fenced-off dog area. A doggie drinking fountain is available, as are key pieces of equipment in a dog park--pooper scoopers. (When their dogs do, owners must do their duty.) Dogs can frolic freely from 7 to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to sundown daily.

There are other “bark parks” with growing clientele: Silver Lake Recreation Center, Long Beach Recreation Park, Marine and Joslyn Parks in Santa Monica (for Santa Monica residents’ dogs only), Dominguez Park in Redondo Beach and undeveloped areas in the Angeles National Forest. Check them for hours and regulations.