Animal shelters in California

Our directory currently lists 982 animal shelters and rescues in California, across 56 counties. The count covers municipal animal control shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, rescues, sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitators found in public map data. Records can be out of date, so please call ahead to confirm hours.

Yes. We list 338 rescue organizations in California, based on the source classification or the organization's name. Many rescues are foster-based and have no public shelter building, so they adopt by appointment or at adoption events; check their website before you visit.

We list 3 organizations in California that state they are no-kill in their name or confirmed record. Many other shelters also save more than 90 percent of their animals without using the label, so ask a shelter about its live release rate if this matters to you.

Yes. We have identified 85 dog rescues and shelters, 57 cat rescues and shelters, 37 horse rescues, 14 rabbit and small animal rescues, 7 bird rescues and 6 farm animal sanctuaries in California, based on the organization's name or source record. Most general shelters take in both dogs and cats, so they are worth checking even when they are not listed under a specific animal.

Start on the shelter's or rescue's own website: most post their adoptable animals there and on Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet. Visit or call to meet an animal, then fill in an adoption application. Expect to show a photo ID, and if you rent, proof that your landlord allows pets. The adoption fee usually covers spay or neuter surgery, first vaccinations and a microchip. Fees vary by organization and by animal, so ask the shelter directly.

If the animal is friendly and safe to approach, check for an ID tag and take it to any vet or shelter to scan for a microchip. Report the found animal to your local animal control or municipal shelter, since that is where owners look first, and post it on local lost-and-found pet pages. Many cities require found pets to be reported or brought to the shelter within a few days. For injured or orphaned wildlife, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator instead of handling the animal.