Found a Pet?

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is Santa Cruz County’s resource for lost and found pets. Each year, we reunite thousands of worried pet owners with their lost companions.

When you arrive with the lost animal at our Shelter locations, one of our staff members will assist you. They’ll ask you some questions about where and when the animal was found. If the animal appears sick, injured, or aggressive please call ahead, or come into the facility without the animal first so the staff can assist your individual situation in the best possible way. Also, if you do not have a leash or carrier, the Shelter can provide one to you to help ensure the animal stays safe and does not get away.

A few options if you find a stray or lost pet:

You may bring the found animal to either one of our two locations during operating hours.

• Santa Cruz Shelter, 1001 Rodriguez Street (corner of 7th Ave. and Rodriguez St.) in Santa Cruz

11am-5pm

• Watsonville Shelter, 580 Airport Blvd. In Watsonville

Hours of Operation: Monday*- Saturday (CLOSED SUNDAY)
9:30 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 pm)
*We are open on Mondays, but the front door is locked.
Please ring bell for service during business hours.

When you arrive with the lost animal at our shelter locations, one of our staff members will assist you. They’ll ask you some questions about where and when the animal was found. If the animal appears sick, injured, or aggressive please call ahead, or come into the facility without the animal first so the staff can assist your individual situation in the best possible way. Also, if you do not have a leash or carrier, the Shelter can provide one to you to help ensure the animal stays safe and does not get away.

Please use this option if you are unable to transport a stray or lost animal or if you feel the animal you have found may be a threat to people or other animals. Please confine the animal and call 831-454-7200 during business hours.

IF YOU HAVE A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION INVOLVING BOTH HUMANS AND ANIMALS, PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 911.

If you need to drop off an animal when the shelter is closed, you can bring the animal to Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital.
Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital is located at 2585 Soquel Drive in Santa Cruz, 831-475-5400 for AFTER-HOURS DROP OFF.