Adopt an Animal
Adoption Procedures
When you are ready to bring a new best friend home, make Santa Barbara County Animal Services your first stop. Our helpful and friendly staff members and volunteers will help you find just the right match for your family. Animal Services has dozens of dogs, cats and rabbits available for adoption at all times, but did you know that we often have other animals such as birds, reptiles, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and other small mammals as well?
All potential adopters fill-out an application so that we can determine the make-up of your home: What is the activity level in your house? How many adults, children and other animals are in the household? How long will the animal be left alone each day? What are the personality traits you are looking for in your new pet?
As you fill out the application, a staff member or volunteer will discuss with you the qualities of the animal that you have selected. They will let you know any information that we have on the animal such as personality traits, favorite activities and medical information. If there is a good match, we would love you to bring your family down to meet the new pet, and if applicable, your current dog.
After your application has been approved, you pay the adoption fee for the animal. All of our dogs and cats have had health screenings by a veterinarian, received vaccinations and been treated for fleas or worms if needed. If your new pet has not already been spayed or neutered, the surgery will be scheduled by our customer care staff. You may pick-up your new family member after the spay/neuter surgery directly from the veterinarian, or make arrangements to pick them up from the shelter.
If you do not find your new pet, come back. New animals come in everyday to our three County Animal Shelters.
Our staff and volunteers are available to answer questions or advise you on helpful hints for bringing your new pet home. Please feel free to ask questions about topics such as:
- Introducing a new animal to current pets
- Litter box or house training,
- Behavior challenges such as chewing, digging, barking, scratching or jumping up
- Animal proofing your house
- Basic obedience training classes
Thank you for your interest in adopting from Santa Barbara County Animal Services. We hope to see you at a local shelter soon!
Thank you for considering adopting a shelter animal
Together we can save lives!
