County Shelters and Rescue Groups

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The Bay Area is home to many wonderful public shelters, private shelters and rescue organizations. While each has the same overall goal (to find responsible homes for as many animals as possible), there are important differences to note.

First, all humane societies and SPCAs are separate organizations; no two are related. These are generic terms that can be adopted by any animal welfare organization. Funding is not distributed between organizations. Local humane societies are not "branches" of the Humane Society of the United States, nor are local SPCAs a branch of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

"Open admission" shelters are city and county public facilities (and sometimes private humane societies and SPCAs with animal control contracts) that are required to take in any animal in need, regardless of age, health or temperament. These shelters receive government funding to house and care for the animals as well as to provide their county with animal control services. They have a large variety of animals available for adoption. Some, though not all, euthanize animals if they have to take in more than can be adopted for a specified time period.

"Limited admission" shelters are mostly private humane societies and SPCAs that take in only as many animals as they can care for and adopt out. These shelters do not receive funding from the government or any other organization and are generally financially dependent upon public donations and grants in order to operate. Animals are only euthanized if suffering from an untreatable medical condition, not based on space. It is important to note that not all "limited admission" shelters actually operate a physical shelter; many are based strictly on foster homes. Those with physical shelter facilities have addresses listed below.

It is advised that you call each facility before visiting to be sure of their hours and days of operation.

If you are looking to adopt a certain breed of dog or cat, please also consider contacting breed-specific rescue groups throughout the state.  Visit www.rescuecanines.com to locate breed-specific dog organizations within your state.  You can also do an internet search for the breed rescue.  Even if organizations listed are out of your immediate area, it may still be worth contacting them as many have contacts beyond their location.