Animal care, shelters & pet licenses in California
Official animal services directories, shelter referrals and dog/pet licensing links, with jurisdiction and visit restrictions where specifically reviewed.
Cities can operate their own shelters or contract with another provider. Check your address and the purpose of your visit.
Sheltering, field response and pet licensing can have different service areas. County browse associations do not establish eligibility.
Appointments, owner surrender, lost-pet reclaim, adoption and emergency dispatch are distinct services. Read the official provider’s current instructions.
60 guides with reviewed service links · Reviewed local guides
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Highlighted counties have a reviewed service guide matching this selection. An agency may serve only a city or part of a county.
California58 counties
County directory Reviewed service guides available
Map for browsing; agency service areas may differ.Map source
Official animal care/control provider associated with Alameda County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Undated UC Davis county outreach summary; operational investigation/referral differs from Sheriff licensing duties and disaster sheltering
County Animal Services and Capabilities exist Alpine County does not have an animal services department and partners with Douglas County, Nevada for their day-to-day animal control needs. For daily Additional organizations: operations, the Environmental Health Director for the county will investigate initial • Alpine County calls within the county and then will transfer to Douglas County. During emergency evacuations, Douglas County will provide animal services in Nevada and Alpine Community County law enforcement officers can escort owners to get their animals, if it is Emergency Response determined safe. Team (CERT)
Alpine Code6.04.230–240 statutory redemption/adoption procedure; no promise of an available animal or local public intake counter
Ask the Sheriff about an impounded animal’s placement, required redemption fees or adoption application. The code does not identify a current public intake facility.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Amador County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
The Amador County Animal Control Department operates one shelter within the County. The shelter's function is to impound stray animals; pick up and provide medical care for sick and injured animals; Adopt all adoptable animals into new homes; issue citations for violations of applicable laws and ordinances; rescue endangered animals; conduct preliminary investigations of inhumane treatment of animals; investigate and correct animal nuisance complaints; receive and hold animals for evidence; provide the observation of biting animals for the County Health Officer; issue licensing; and provide routine patrol services.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Butte County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Calaveras County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Colusa County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Contra Costa County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Del Norte County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
The Department of Animal Services is engaged in the enforcement of state laws, regulations, and county ordinances relating to domestic animals. Activities include dog licensing, operating the county dog pound, maintaining dog license and rabies vaccination records, impounding stray dogs and livestock, investigating dog bites, quarantining dogs that have bit, investigating loose or nuisance dog complaints, and livestock complaints. Other areas of responsibility include licensing kennels, investigating potential violations of humane laws, picking up small dead animals for disposal from county roadways, and picking up injured domestic animals.
Official animal care/control provider associated with El Dorado County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Shelter Operations houses and cares for stray, unwanted, or displaced animals. Every effort is made to place healthy, adoptable animals into new permanent, loving homes. We coordinate foster and volunteer programs, educate the community on pet overpopulation, and help people who have lost or found a pet.
The Rabies Control Program investigates animal bites and human exposures to rabies, and processes licenses for dogs. Learn how to avoid dog bites, and teach children to be safe around dogs. Report animal bites or rabid animals.
County Public Health animal-services program and its linked Fresno Humane shelter referral; this does not make the contractor a county-owned department.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Glenn County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Stock/hunt pack licenses — direct Sheriff office only
*Stock and Hunt Pack Licenses are not available through DocuPet online. The Pack Licenses are only available directly through Glenn County Sheriff's Office. Call for more information 530-934-6441.
Glenn County’s published Tehama referral: feral cats excluded; domestic-cat intake is conditional on space
The county says feral cats will not be impounded and domestic cats are taken only when space is available. Contact Tehama Animal Care Center before transport.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Humboldt County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Imperial County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Service area: The Animal Care and Control Program (ACCP) serves Imperial County’s unincorporated areas—over 4,000 square miles of towns, desert, and farmland—with 24/7 rescue and control services. Our shelter is full of lovable pets ready for a second chance!
Animal care/control — unincorporated service area
The Animal Care and Control Program (ACCP) serves Imperial County’s unincorporated areas—over 4,000 square miles of towns, desert, and farmland—with 24/7 rescue and control services. Our shelter is full of lovable pets ready for a second chance!
Service area: The Animal Care and Control Program (ACCP) serves Imperial County’s unincorporated areas—over 4,000 square miles of towns, desert, and farmland—with 24/7 rescue and control services. Our shelter is full of lovable pets ready for a second chance!
Official animal care/control provider associated with Inyo County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Kern County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Kings County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Kings County Animal Services – Animal Services division under the Kings County Sheriff’s Office - houses animals from the unincorporated parts of Kings County and Hanford City. Field Services is responsible for responding to animal calls in the unincorporated areas of the county. Types of calls Animal Services responds to include bite cases, restraint issues, animals running at large, welfare checks (neglect, cruelty cases, animal abuse).
Service area: Kings County Animal Services – Animal Services division under the Kings County Sheriff’s Office - houses animals from the unincorporated parts of Kings County and Hanford City. Field Services is responsible for responding to animal calls in the unincorporated areas of the county. Types of calls Animal Services responds to include bite cases, restraint issues, animals running at large, welfare checks (neglect, cruelty cases, animal abuse).
Official animal care/control provider associated with Lake County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Lassen County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Los Angeles County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Madera County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Service area: Marin Humane (MH) operates a county-wide animal care and control services program through a contract and partnership with the County and the cities and towns of Marin. The MGSA manages the MH contract in partnership with the County. Animal Services was added as a program for MGSA in 2015 and has included facilitating contract negotiations with MH, annual budget development, and resolution of various animal related issues with stakeholders.
MGSA contract and actual Marin Humane provider
Marin Humane (MH) operates a county-wide animal care and control services program through a contract and partnership with the County and the cities and towns of Marin. The MGSA manages the MH contract in partnership with the County. Animal Services was added as a program for MGSA in 2015 and has included facilitating contract negotiations with MH, annual budget development, and resolution of various animal related issues with stakeholders.
Existing immutable MGSA evidence naming the contracted operator; no legal government identity created for the nonprofit
Marin Humane (MH) operates a county-wide animal care and control services program through a contract and partnership with the County and the cities and towns of Marin. The MGSA manages the MH contract in partnership with the County. Animal Services was added as a program for MGSA in 2015 and has included facilitating contract negotiations with MH, annual budget development, and resolution of various animal related issues with stakeholders.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Mariposa County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Mendocino County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
All calls for service received that come in during off hours will be reviewed when staff comes on duty. Please make sure to leave a call back number. Staff will call you at their first opportunity.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Merced County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Dogs must be licensed. Fines and penalties for an unlicensed dog may exceed $100 per animal. To find out how to license your dog, please call (209) 385-7436. Download a Printable License Application
Current county staff-directory contact and official animal-control complaint portal only; no shelter facility, adoption, pet-license workflow or visit hours is verified.
County-issued evidence of animal-control custody/partner referral; environmental-health licensing remains a different provider
The Animal Control unit provides service to all areas within Modoc County. The Department of Animal Control is responsible for enforcing county codes regarding compliance with vaccinations and pet licensing within Modoc County. The Animal Control Officer works in conjunction with Modoc's Environmental Health Department which issues pet license. The officer focuses on abandoned, stranded, victimized animals at large in Modoc County. Shelter for these animals makes the community safer, and in many cases provides a loving home through High Plateau Humane Society for the animals that are not claimed. California Food and Agriculture Code Section §31108 requires extended holding periods for stray, feral, and relinquished pets. The law allows more time for animal adoption and the results are subsequently, overcrowding at shelters. Modoc residents can help reduce animal overpopulation by spaying or neutering pets. All animals adopted from shelters must be spayed or neutered. Effective January 1, 2000, the law requires an owner whose animals are impounded to pay fines. Additional fees will be charged if the animals are not spayed or neutered. For the current list of fees please see the Fee Schedule (PDF).
Actual nonprofit partner limits; no current capacity, adoption guarantee or county-owned shelter asserted
HPHS does not take owner-surrendered dogs. Healthy friendly cats are accepted first-come when possible, with a waiting list when full; owners must care for them until an opening.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Mono County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Animal Services is a public health and safety enforcement agency dedicated to protecting people from animals and animals from people. We are committed to safeguarding community health and animal welfare. McAs achieves this through administering rabies control programs, public education initiatives, the promotion of responsible pet ownership, and facilitating the adoption of stray or unwanted animals.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Monterey County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Napa County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Nevada County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
County of Nevada operates the Nevada County Animal Shelter, which contracts with Sammie's Friends, a local animal shelter. The shelter accepts lost animals and facilitates animal adoptions. During emergency evacuations, Sammie's Friends may also serve a safe temporary shelter for animals.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Orange County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Placer County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Plumas County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Service area: Plumas county-form route; Portola has a separate city licence program
County form: annual multipliers, vaccination-limited terms up to three years, replacement tag and mailing destination
The term may be up to three years depending on rabies expiry. Mail the completed form, certificates and payment to the named Plumas Animal Shelter address.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Riverside County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Sacramento County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
City of Hollister provider. The source separately limits owner surrenders and after-hours stray intake to animals residing/found in San Benito County; this does not establish every city’s field response or licensing boundaries.
The Hollister Animal Shelter provides 24-hour emergency services for injured, sick, and aggressive stray animals. For assistance after normal business hours, please contact the Hollister Police Department at (831)636-4330 and an Animal Control Officer will be dispatched.
Official animal care/control provider associated with San Bernardino County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Service area: San Bernardino County Animal Care is an animal welfare agency that operates the Big Bear and Devore Animal Shelters to provide programs and services to all unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County, and the cities of Big Bear Lake, Highland, and Yucaipa. If you live outside of our service areas, please check our list of other animal care agencies that provide service in the County.
Service area: San Bernardino County Animal Care is an animal welfare agency that operates the Big Bear and Devore Animal Shelters to provide programs and services to all unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County, and the cities of Big Bear Lake, Highland, and Yucaipa. If you live outside of our service areas, please check our list of other animal care agencies that provide service in the County.
Official animal care/control provider associated with San Diego County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with San Francisco County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
San Francisco Animal Care & Control works daily to keep our community safe and to protect animals from abuse, neglect, and cruelty. SFACC is the City’s only open admission shelter; we accept all animals regardless of temperament, medical condition, or species. We rescue, reunite and rehome all species of animals.
County Sheriff animal services handles county responsibilities; the county explicitly contracts with the City of Stockton for dog/cat sheltering and does not operate its own shelter.
Sheriff animal services and unincorporated field response
Animal Services is operated under the direction of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. It is responsible for protecting public health and safety by enforcing local, state, and federal laws and regulations that pertain to domesticated animals and their care in the unincorporated areas of San Joaquin County. Animal Services, in conjunction with the County Public Health Department, administers the state-mandated rabies control program, including vaccination clinics, reporting bites, and quarantine of biting animals within both County and City jurisdictions. The division, in conjunction with the County Community Development Department, administers local code enforcement related to animal zoning ordinances. Animal Services officers impound stray and unmanageable animals, remove injured, sick or dead animals, and inspect privately owned kennels and livestock areas, provide assistance with predatory animals, investigate complaints of animal abuse or neglect and take appropriate action to deal with other problems associated with the care of animals.
The county does not operate an animal shelter. Instead, pursuant to FAC 31106 the Animal Services Division, through the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, contracts with the City of Stockton for sheltering services of impounded animals. The City of Stockton provides for the sheltering of dogs and cats.A private contract is maintained for the hauling, board and care associated with impounded livestock.
Service area: A dog license is a permit to keep a dog within the unincorporated area of the County of San Joaquin. It is similar to licensing your vehicle. Licensing allows the county to keep track of current rabies vaccinations. Another benefit is a found dog can be identified and returned to its owner. Cat licensing is not required by San Joaquin County. Dog licensing is required by law pursuant to County Ordinance 6-1005.
Official animal care/control provider associated with San Luis Obispo County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Service area: The Animal Services Division is responsible for providing animal care and control services throughout the County of San Luis Obispo and within each of the seven incorporated communities. Animal Services staff serve the community by helping to identify solutions to animal related problems, enforcing local ordinances and state laws relating to animals, providing humane education programs, and performing rabies control and surveillance. The Division also operates the only open-intake animal shelter in the county.
Service area: The Animal Services Division is responsible for providing animal care and control services throughout the County of San Luis Obispo and within each of the seven incorporated communities. Animal Services staff serve the community by helping to identify solutions to animal related problems, enforcing local ordinances and state laws relating to animals, providing humane education programs, and performing rabies control and surveillance. The Division also operates the only open-intake animal shelter in the county.
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.
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.
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.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Santa Clara County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Service area: Our mission is to offer shelter and care for homeless domestic and farm animals, reunite lost pets with their families, facilitate pet adoption, and investigate complaints of animal cruelty and neglect in the community to improve the lives of people and animals in the County. We provide all services to the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and sheltering services to the cities of Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Sunnyvale. Please join us in our lifesaving mission!
Official animal care/control provider associated with Santa Cruz County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
The Sheriff’s Animal Regulations program serves unincorporated Shasta County. A county-operated animal shelter or dog-license workflow is not established by this page.
Service area: Shasta County Animal Regulations services the unincorporated areas of Shasta County; to file a complaint or contact an officer please call 245-6065. In the case of an emergency call 911. To reach the non-emergency dispatcher please call 245-6540.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Sierra County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Siskiyou County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Solano County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Service area: Solano County Animal Care Division is responsible for the care of all stray, injured, abandoned, and unwanted animals for the seven surrounding cities: Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Vallejo.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Sonoma County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Actual Stanislaus Animal Services Agency website. Its current legal government parent has not been independently bound to a registry government identity in this review. Temporary adoption promotions are not published as ongoing fees.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Tehama County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Trinity County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
County code identifies the actual Sheriff unit; no new agency or duplicated provider created
"Animal regulation unit" means the entity established within the Trinity county sheriff's department to enforce the provisions of the animal regulation ordinance and to exercise those powers and perform those duties as set forth in this chapter.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Tulare County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Tuolumne County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Older county FAQ prices conflict with the current Sheriff form and separately captured July1,2025 price sheet; these FAQ values are not promoted as the current fee table
The FAQ lists lower prices than the current Sheriff form and matching price sheet. Ask Animal Control to confirm the amount before paying.
Official animal care/control provider associated with Ventura County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Service area: VCAS provides contract services to the residents of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley, Ventura, and all unincorporated areas of Ventura County. VCAS is dedicated to improving the lives of the animals in their care, and to safeguard the community through rabies suppression and the sheltering of stray animals.
Camarillo shelter administrative role
Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) is an open admission, lifesaving, municipal animal welfare agency in the County of Ventura. The Camarillo Shelter, the main shelter, is located between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties and houses the Administrative Offices and Veterinary Hospital. The Camarillo Shelter has a 400-animal capacity which can increase to over 900 during declared natural disasters.
The Simi Valley Animal Shelter is smaller facility located three miles from Moorpark College and can house up to 40 animals. The Simi Valley Shelter, however smaller, offers many of the same services and opportunities as the Camarillo Shelter, such as the intake of stray and surrendered animals, pet adoptions, pet licensing, the reclaim of lost animals, and volunteer opportunities.
Service area: VCAS provides contract services to the residents of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley, Ventura, and all unincorporated areas of Ventura County. VCAS is dedicated to improving the lives of the animals in their care, and to safeguard the community through rabies suppression and the sheltering of stray animals.
Actual Yolo County Animal Services provider site. The menu-only county source was not used as service evidence; current operator/legal government binding needs separate reconciliation.
Yolo County Animal Services actual licensing partner; no operator legal-parent identity inferred
We have officially partnered with DocuPet for licensing pets in Yolo County! Licensing your pet protects public health by ensuring they’re vaccinated against rabies. It also increases the chances of a safe return if your pet gets lost. Learn More
Official animal care/control provider associated with Yuba County for browsing. Service areas can differ between sheltering, field response and licensing; confirm the specific address, species and service with the provider.
Service area: Animal Care Services is a division of the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department. Animal Care Services provides services for the unincorporated areas of Yuba County. Animal Care Services does not provide field services to the City of Wheatland, City of Marysville, or Beale Air Force Base; however, it does provide licensing services for the City of Wheatland ONLY.