California Animal Shelters
1,108 Shelters
e.g. "Miami FL" or "33168"
Canine Hearts Rescue & Sanctuary
Rescue Organization
488 Maple Ave.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Milpitas, CA 95035
Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort
Rescue Organization
PO Box 1089
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693
Located in Orange County
Captivating Cats Animal Rescue
Rescue Organization
1343 Palm Street
San Jose, CA 95110
San Jose, CA 95110
Carlsbad Animal Shelter
Shelter Organization
2481 Palomar Airport Road
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Located in San Diego County
Castaway Animal Sanctuary
774 Rachel Dr
Galt, CA 95632
Galt, CA 95632
Located in Sacramento County
Cat Adoption & Trauma Sanctuary, Inc.
1771 Lynn Drive
Penngrove, CA 94951
Penngrove, CA 94951
Located in Sonoma County
Cat and Dog Rescue Association
Rescue Organization
473 1/4 S. Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Located in Los Angeles County
Cat Connection
18307 Burbank Blvd
Tarzana, CA 91356
Tarzana, CA 91356
Located in Los Angeles County
Animal Shelters in California
California has 1,108 listed animal shelters and rescue organizations, spread across 53 counties. About half are rescue organizations. Los Angeles has more than any other California city, followed by San Diego and San Francisco. Somewhere on this list is a California dog or cat who would much rather be at your place.
California has 1,108 listed at the moment, and they are shown above with the ones that have photos first. Open any of them for the full address, contact details and opening hours.
A mix of both, and the difference is worth knowing before you set out. A rescue usually places animals from a network of foster homes rather than from premises you can walk into, so you generally arrange a meeting first. A shelter or humane society more often has a facility you can visit during opening hours.
Los Angeles has more than anywhere else in California, followed by San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose. They are the usual place to start if you are willing to travel; the sidebar links straight through to each.
Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties have the most, though listings reach 53 of California's counties in total. The city links in the sidebar are usually the quicker way in.
Most listings here carry a phone number, and most link to the organization's own website. Calling ahead is worth it — opening hours change, and rescues often work by appointment rather than keeping a building open.
SHELTER/RESCUE SEARCH
e.g. "Miami FL" or "33168"
California Shelters By City
- Los Angeles 63
- San Diego 43
- San Francisco 24
- San Jose 21
- Riverside 15
- Sacramento 14
- Bakersfield 13
- Fresno 13
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