About County Animal Shelters
County animal shelters offer a variety of services to the public. They often have more choices for pet options than just dogs and cats. Horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, hawks, exotic birds, reptiles and illegal pets such as koalas, zebras, and capybaras have been known to find their residency at a local county animal shelter.
Overview
The local county animal shelter system is for stray, nuisance or unwanted animals, pet adoptions and euthanasia of sick or overpopulated animals. Many shelters are "no kill", meaning when the animal has not been adopted within a certain time limit, it is given to a rescue or long-term board and care organization. It is the responsibility of the shelter to capture feral dogs and cats, rescue abused animals or to answer calls concerning individuals holding unlicensed exotic pets that could post a hazard to the indigenous wildlife or to people. It also prosecutes animal abusers and those who are extremely negligent. Almost all animal shelters work in cooperation with the Department of Fish and Game, Department of Forestry and with other animal rescue organizations.
Services
Pet adoption - County shelters offer dogs, puppies, cats, kittens and other species for adoption. New owners pay an adoption fee, which goes into the care, veterinary service and feeding of the rest of the animals. Some shelters offer spay and neutering services, first shots for puppies and kittens, micro-chipping and dog licensing. New arrivals have a period of time where they must be adopted before they are euthanize or sent to a no-kill private animal shelter. Many privately owned pet stores also acquire their stock from animal shelters, giving many animals more time to be adopted.
Board and care - County shelters offer short term board and care for a fee. Your animal is kept in a clean cage, fed and cared for while you are on vacation or unable to care for your pet due to surgery or other medical emergency.
Education - Programs about caring for dogs and cats, obedience training and lay veterinary care are also offered by many county shelters.
Spay and neuter - Low cost spay and neuter clinics are often offered to dog and cat owners. Often, pets are not released for adoption unless they are spayed or neutered.
Stray/lost and found - If you lose your dog and your dog has a license, you can either contact the shelter or you can go in person to report that your animal is missing. The shelter personnel will hold your pet for a designated length of time before it is declared abandoned and may be offered for adoption.
Pet surrender - Shelters will allow owners to surrender a pet for adoption or to be euthanized for a fee.