Adopt a Pet

From dogs and cats to rabbits and the occasional horse, there's always an array of wonderful animals at SEAACA. To adopt, you must be a responsible adult who can demonstrate you will provide the proper environment, food and care.

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The length of time strays are held varies among shelters and types of animal, but California law requires four business days, starting the day the animal was admitted. If the shelter is open Saturdays or Sundays, they count as business days.

This Southern California shelter guide is arranged by region. Use it to locate shelters that serve your area.

Some communities are served by a shelter that isn't the closest one. Pay attention to the areas served and you'll know which shelter applies to yours. And, remember, dogs can run. Use your judgment about where he could be picked up. You may need to check a few shelters.

In the guide, you'll also see links to web sites some shelters maintain. Increasingly, shelters are posting photos of their animals, and you might find your pet that way. But beware: just because you don't see your pet's photo does not necessarily mean he's not at that shelter.

Some shelters post photos only of animals up for adoption, not every one taken in. Web sites could be updated everyday or every so often. Animals that are admitted for safe-keeping or quarantine will not have their photos posted.
And, some pets aren't instantly recognizable, because their fur got dirty, longer, or they're just scared and look a little different. So, use a keen eye and look closely at the faces.

"No match" does not necessarily mean your pet isn't there. You need to go in person. And don't give up. Your animal can be out there for a while before being picked up or taken in by a Good Samaritan.

Walk or slowly drive the neighborhood and call your pet's name. Go at different times, and at night when a pet in hiding is more likely to come out.

Ask neighbors and kids if they saw your pet. Post lost signs with your phone number and large clear photo or short description. Posting a "Reward" helps.

This isn't the time to show anger or punish your pet.

Inspect fences, walls and gates. Look for places to jump or climb over, squeeze through or dig under. Fix the escape routes.

Protect dogs and cats with proper ID. Licensed dogs are given more time in shelters while attempts to find the owner are made. Collar IDs on dogs and cats are very helpful, as long as the information on them is current.

But tags can get lost. The best method is a combo collar ID-plus-microchip: a tiny, permanently encoded device injected under the skin. Shelters are more routinely scanning strays for microchips, which provide information that tracks to each owner.

It's fast and inexpensive. The SEAACA Animal Wellness Clinic microchips pets for $25.

Lastly, it's a fact that unaltered dogs and cats roam and run away a lot. If your pet is not spayed or neutered, make an appointment at SEAACA's low cost Animal Wellness Clinic, and fix those bad habits!

There is no charge. Lost pets are kept at SEAACA a minimum of five days, after which they can be made available for adoption.