We are fortunate to have a Board of Directors that supports the progressive programs and services we offer to our community. We cannot “adopt our way” out of animal homelessness. We need to offer resources and education that work to get at the root of the problems we face in animal welfare.

—Amber Rowland, General Manager

About Us

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is a non-profit Joint Powers Authority (EIN 90-0039494) serving the County of Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz, City of Scotts Valley, City of Watsonville, and City of Capitola. We are governed by a Board of Directors that has representatives from each of the participating jurisdictions.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter provides 24-hour animal rescue and is Santa Cruz County’s only full service, open-admission animal shelter. SCCAS has two locations where people can find and recover lost pets and adopt new animal companions. These shelters are tangible evidence of Santa Cruz County’s commitment to animal welfare. We are supported by numerous volunteers and foster care families who provide thousands of hours of assistance to SCCAS staff. We rescue and assure temporary shelter, veterinary and humane care for over 6,000 stray, unwanted, abandoned, mistreated, neglected and injured animals every year.

Our History

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter began serving the community in July of 2002 with offices in Watsonville and Scotts Valley. In 2008, we moved into a newly-constructed county-owned building in Santa Cruz, on a site that once housed an SPCA facility. In 2022, we completed an exciting addition/renovation to our main shelter building and are beginning to plan for additional facility improvements to better serve Santa Cruz County’s pets and people.

Our Shelter At a Glance

  • Two full-service, open-door shelters that accept all animals presented for care.
  • Animal adoptions, including on-line searches for adoptable animals and off-site adoption services in collaboration with local animal-related businesses.
  • Animal transfers to placement partner (approved breed rescue and animal welfare organizations).
  • Basic veterinary care for all animals on site, and emergency medical care provided by SCCAS through private animal emergency clinics.
  • On-site spay and neuter for adoptable shelter animals and low-cost spay neuter for County resident dogs, cats and rabbits.
  • Lost and found services, including a telephone hot line and on-line posting of all found animals who arrive at the Santa Cruz and Watsonville facilities.
  • County Dog licensing program.
  • Microchip services for dogs, cats and rabbits.
  • Feral cat trap rentals, and assistance with feral cat colonies.
  • Humane education and community outreach.
  • Volunteer programs at both shelter locations to assist staff with adoptions, animal care and socialization.
  • Foster care programs that place young, sick, injured or unsocialized animals in home care until the animals are ready for adoption.
  • Humane euthanasia when necessary.

  • Rescue of domestic animals in distress including emergency and on-call service.
  • Pick up of stray, lost, injured, sick, mistreated, or dangerous domestic animals.
  • Response to animal bites and administration of a rabies control program.
  • Investigations of animal cruelty.
  • Response to community complaints about nuisance animals and barking dogs.
  • Dog licensing in the field.