Santa Barbara County animal services
Animal services function; provider and jurisdiction must be verified.[1]
Source checked October 26, 2026[1]www.countyofsb.org
Opens this office’s own website. CountyWiki does not process applications, take payments or provide personal records.
Contact details & office locations ↓Online services & information
Use the links below for official services and provider information. Check each service’s instructions and service area.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Santa Barbara County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Use this specific provider’s licensing instructions. Licensing territory, animal type, vaccination proof, altered-status proof, term and fees must be confirmed; shelter coverage does not automatically establish license eligibility.
The county publishes its shelter adoption process: identification, review, meeting and paperwork. Its rendered official locations page lists three facilities and winter opening hours. Confirm current operating status and animal availability before travelling; published regular hours are not a real-time opening or space guarantee.
Before you start
- Information & documents · County’s published shelter adoption policy; appointment statement does not guarantee a facility is open today
- Bring government-issued photo ID showing a valid current address. Staff review the animal information, help with a meeting, and complete the adoption paperwork and applicable payment. [3]
- Availability · County’s explicit changing-inventory warning; no live animals or capacity were collected
- Adoption availability can change throughout the day. An animal shown online may already have an interested adopter or may no longer be available when you arrive. [4]
- Availability · County's rendered official location page: three facilities and published winter hours; special closures and current capacity require operator confirmation
- The county lists Lompoc, Goleta and Santa Maria shelters, with winter hours Tuesday–Sunday10a.m.–5p.m., closed Mondays and holidays. Call before travel. [6]
The county offers resources and referrals for direct private rehoming. Animals shown through those tools remain with their current guardians, rather than at county shelters. Contact the county about assistance and admission options; this page does not establish unconditional shelter surrender acceptance.
Before you start
- Availability · County rehoming resources and private-guardian adoption; not physical shelter inventory, guaranteed public intake or a county-set private adoption fee
- Try the county's rehoming resources before surrender. Private listings are animals with current guardians; adoption prices are set by those guardians. [7]
Fees
Fees are quoted only when a source document supports the amount and conditions.
| Service | Amount | Conditions & source |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara county cat adoption | $75.00cat adoption | County-published adoption fee; confirm eligibility, availability and current facility status. This is not an owner-surrender fee.[5] |
| Santa Barbara county dog adoption | $110.00dog adoption | County-published adoption fee; a separate $13 licence is added when applicable. Confirm eligibility, availability and current facility status.[5] |
| Santa Barbara dog licence associated with adoption | $13.00adopted dog when applicable | Only the additional licence described on the adoption page, when applicable; not a universal standalone dog-licence price.[5] |
These are individual fee items, not a quote for your total. Other charges or exemptions may apply; confirm the total with the office.
Forms & documents
Official forms and document pages for this office’s services.
Sources & last checked4 source pages · 7 citations
Sources were checked by an AI-assisted research process. A checked website does not mean every service or fee on it has been reviewed.
- [1] Santa Barbara — official animal services information (opens in a new tab)
Santa Barbara County animal services · Official animal services page or explicitly named animal contact
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Animal Services
- [2] Santa Barbara — official animal services information (opens in a new tab)
Santa Barbara County animal services · Official animal services source — precise pet/dog licensing link
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Animal Licensing
- [3] County animal shelter adoption procedures (opens in a new tab)
Santa Barbara County Animal Services · County animal shelter adoption procedures — santa barbara adoption
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
How to Adopt a Pet at the Shelter No appointment is required to meet animals currently housed at one of our shelters. Visit us during regular business hours and follow these steps: Walk through the shelter. Take your time and note the names or identification numbers of the animals you would like to meet. Visit the front desk. A team member will review the animal’s history, medical information, behavior notes, and any other available information with you. Complete the initial paperwork. You will need to present a government-issued photo ID showing a valid current address. Meet the animal. A team member will help introduce you to your potential new family member and answer your questions. Complete the adoption. Sign the remaining adoption documents, pay the applicable adoption fee, and take your new pet home.
- [4] County animal shelter adoption procedures (opens in a new tab)
Santa Barbara County Animal Services · County animal shelter adoption procedures — santa barbara availability
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Adoption availability can change throughout the day. An animal shown online may already have an interested adopter or may no longer be available when you arrive.
- [5] County animal shelter adoption procedures (opens in a new tab)
Santa Barbara County Animal Services · County animal shelter adoption procedures — santa barbara adoption fees
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Adoption Fees Cats: $75 Dogs: $110, plus a $13 dog license when applicable
- [6] County animal shelter locations (opens in a new tab)
Santa Barbara County Animal Services · County animal shelter locations — santa barbara locations
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Lompoc Animal Services Phone 833-422-8413 Address 1501 W Central Ave Lompoc, CA 93436-2734 Link to Map Hours Tuesday through Sunday 10am - 5pm *Winter Hours* Closed Mondays and holidays Additional Information Santa Barbara Animal Services Phone 833-422-8413 Address 5473 Overpass Rd Goleta, CA 93111-2034 Link to Map Hours Tuesday through Sunday 10am - 5pm *Winter Hours* Closed Mondays and holidays Additional Information Santa Maria Animal Services Phone 833-422-8413 Address 548 W Foster Rd Santa Maria, CA 93455-3615 Link to Map Hours Tuesday through Sunday 10am - 5pm *Winter Hours* Closed Mondays and holidays Additional Information
- [7] Pet surrender and rehoming procedures (opens in a new tab)
Santa Barbara County Animal Services · Pet surrender and rehoming procedures — santa barbara rehoming
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Facing the decision to give up your pet can be devastating and we know it's not easy. We understand that there are sometimes circumstances that may prevent you from being able to keep your pet, and Santa Barbara County Animal Services is here to help. Pets are often surrendered to a shelter because an owner is unaware of other options or resources that can help the pet remain in their home. We offer resources and other opportunities to help families maintain the bond they have with their pets. If you've exhausted these resources, please first consider directly re-homing your pet. If you are trying to rehome your cat or dog, Adopt-a-Pet has an option for you. You can create a profile for your animal and communicate with potential adopters in your area. If you are trying to rehome any other type of animal, please visit Home To Home or reach out to us and we can assist you with additional options to find your pet a new home. Adoption Process These pets are not located at our shelters. Click on the pet's profile and a new page will open providing more detail about the pet. Then, click on the "Apply to Adopt" button to be connected with the pet's current guardian. Please communicate directly with the pet's guardian to acquire veterinary records and other necessary information. Adoption Fee Adoption fees will vary based on the adoption price set by the current guardian.