I came to this USDA office so that I could bring my dog on an international trip. It's right across the street from my office so I thought it'd be super quick and easy to stop in on a day I was working. WRONG! I arrived at 9am in mid-December. It was packed already. You're not supposed to bring animals but a bunch of people brought their dogs anyway. I swear, more than half of the people here were young women who wanted to bring their little lap dogs on vacation with them! I got a number in line: #60. They were on #20. Twenty minutes later they were only on #22. So I went to my office across the street to start my workday. The USDA office closes at 11am. I called and they said that they lock the doors at 11am, but as long as I had a number and I was inside the building at 11am, they'd get to me. So I walked back over just before 11am. They were only on #30. At 11am they locked the door as advertised. There were about 50 people crammed into their tiny, tiny waiting room. It was packed and most of us had nowhere to sit. About 10 of us weren't even able to lean against a wall. It was quite uncomfortable. I had my work laptop but I was unable to get Smartphone data so I couldn't work. No wifi of course either. So here I was, stuck and kind of hot, but not wanting to leave for fear that wouldn't be able to get back in or that I'd lose my spot. (Yes, you can knock and one of the kind souls that have been waiting for hours will probably open the door, but the employees yelled at us to not open the door for anyone.) Finally around 1pm they called my number. Yess!!! But actually I realized that that is just for them to take my papers in. It will still be another 1.5 hours before my papers were stamped and I could leave. I finally left at 2:30pm. The people working here were nice enough (that's why this place gets 2 stars, not 1), but there just simply weren't enough of them and they weren't in a rush to try to get through everyone. Conclusion: This is a minimum 1/2 day commitment. Don't think it's a quick errand that you can knock out during your lunch or coffee break! Bring a good book, get here early and grab a chair and don't leave it. Or bring your tablet and headphones you can watch a movie or two. Caveat: I came in mid-December, which I am assuming is one of their busiest times as everyone is about travel. Since regulations require that animals travelling on planes need to get the USDA stamp no more than 9 days from the day of the flight, there is unfortunately always going to be a mad rush at this time. I don't know how busy this office is at other times of the year. read more

The absolute worst experience! You think the DMV is bad.. wait til you're here. 3 1/2 hours just to have my name called then another hour and half to get my paper work back. Only one window open and employees working at an infuriatingly slow pace. Please USDA open a second window! Hire some people! Do something! This office is an absolute nightmare! read more

Info here at Yelp for this facility is very helpful. In addition, I will add, make sure you have the correct forms specific to the country you are sending or bringing your pet to. Go online to the USDA site and get the most current form for either the health certificate or the rabies test or both. Several people I spoke with had to make multiple trips due to bringing incorrect forms. Nice people at this facility, btw. I was there by 9:00 and my number was called in 20 minutes. Then they took my paperwork and spent about 35 more minutes to complete it. My fee for Australia was $120 but most others were $38. Read the website's instructions carefully regarding requirements, don't just rely on your vet for that. read more

I've been here twice and each time everything has been fine despite the wait being over an hour. I arrived at 8am and they were on ticket number 15 - I was number 20 and it took them about 20-30 mins to call my number out and collect the documents for my dog. They are very thorough with their checks but without being aggressive or impatient.. Trust me, a lot of people walk in there forgetting little things here and there, details like addresses and signatures and they point it out and explain what things are. The man even told me to write my ZIP code to some obscure place that the vet forgot. They do take good care of you in terms of making sure you've got all that you need. Once they collect your documents then you sit down and wait another probably half hour or more to get those documents back/stamped. The charge is $38 (and NO CASH) I think, however, Emotional Support Animals and Service Dogs are exempt from the charge IF you bring the letter from your therapist or the Service Dog tag to show them proof. Remember to bring it on the day because they will be sticklers about it if you don't have it and won't refund the charge. All in all, a chilled experience and pretty painless all told! read more

USDA-APHIS - The window! - Public Services & Government Near Me - El Segundo, California

Be prepared to spend the day. Usually only two people working at a time and waits can easily be up to five hours. Get there when they open and bring your own snacks, chair, and WiFi. Don't bring your pet unless they are a support animal. read more

Arrived at 7am and was the 5th person in line. Opened at exactly 730. Took a ticket and sat down. My number was called within 5 minutes and I gave them my debit card as they don't accept cash. I also gave them all the necessary forms (please be sure to come with everything prepared). I sat down afterwards for an hour until someone else came out with my paperwork and cards. Spent $121 for South Korea. Be sure to call before you come and ask what country you are going to as all have different pricing. read more

-- actual hours are 0730 to 1100 (versus 0700 to 1100) -- below-average customer service (i.e. averaging one customer per ~20 minutes) -- arrive early and best of luck! read more

I went here last week to get my papers done for my dog to travel. I came early and stand around 6:30 am at the door and wait that they open because of the reviews here. I were thinking I will be the first but 2 guys already wait. I was glad to come around this time. At 7:30 they open and I were the third person. My papers had a mistake because of the vet where I went but the guy at the front, his name was Calvin, was super friendly, try to find a way and even print me the sites again so I have my information. At the end I don't get the stamp but I could understand. He was so helpful and friendly. I called later the day because I want to know my options, my fly is in a week. All the people at the phone and the supervisor dr.cote, was extremely helpful and friendly! I can highly recommend this place! Just be 45 to a hour earlier there! read more

First comment, it is a little bit slow but it is a place I must go if I want take a pet to My country! It is close on 11am not 11 30am

This place can do a WHOLE lot better. There are a few morning employees that taint the professionality of the great work that this office actually does. Unfortunately, some government employees working here almost seem to enjoy finding issues that may require another visit to this office. This happened to me once, and I will not accept it again. My veterinarian is a professional and knows what vaccination requests are overkill from this office. I have seen the respect that people give to the employees working here, which one, in particular, does not deserve at all. Lose the attitude, no one is impressed with your arrogance. If you don't like the job, go do something else, and leave the visiting customers to the professionals working there. read more

This is a very well run government agency. They recently implemented an appointment system, but I have not dealt with that yet. There is one very nice gentleman who calls your number, reviews your paperwork, and stamps your health certificate permitting you to take your pet to the country you are traveling to. Make sure you get the initial health certificate from a USDA certified veterinarian. Otherwise, it is not acceptable. Review the requirements for the country you are going to and make sure you have everything in order. If not, they will not be able to help you. read more

I am so surprise to find first of all a yelp account for USDA but also to see the 5 stars reviews. I have been using the El Secondo aphis services -not by choice obviously but there are no other alternatives - for the past 4 years, not once I waited less than 2 hours and this week was the worst ... waited 4 hours for a stamp. They are clearly understaffed and have very inefficient procedures ... the service sucks.. period. Seriously, how long does it take to stamp a piece of paper ! read more

Only one staff doing all the work. No wonder it is super slow and long wait. Very very understaffed.