Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s placement partner organizations help find alternative placement options for some of the animals at the shelter. There are animals that may have special needs such as an identified medical condition or behavior issue that would be better addressed by a partner agency. Or there are purebred animals that are transferred to purebred rescue groups who usually have waiting lists of qualified potential adopters. Or there are simply too many animals at the shelter at a given time. Transferring out animals helps open up space in the shelter for other animals that need Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s help.

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter also takes in animals during emergencies, natural disasters or cruelty/neglect situations, when a large number of animals need care. Transferring animals to other organizations helps free up precious space at the shelter.

The following is a list of our placement partners who assist us in helping Santa Cruz County's neediest animals.