The short answer is… a whole lot. The SCCAS is an open-door shelter with a wide range of services that provides a safety net and compassionate care for any domestic animal in need. Guardians can recover lost pets, adopt new companions, and receive information and resources to help them and their animal friends thrive. Besides these core missions, SCCAS does so much more for the betterment of the lives of animals and their people.
Stray Animals
The shelter takes in strays and cares for them while trying to reunite them with their guardians. If an owner does not come forth, the expert staff evaluates the animals for temperament and other important information, and offers them for adoption as appropriate.
Surrenders
Shelter staff first provides information and resources to help owners solve problems in an effort to help them keep their pets. Surrenders are accepted without judgement if owners are no longer able to care for their pets. That said, it is encouraged to look at rehoming pets first with friends and family or through a trusted community rehome pet listing like with the Santa Cruz SPCA.
Adoptions
The shelter acts as a matchmaker between adopters and animals, paving the way for a great outcome. Client Services will share whatever information is known about an animal with prospective adopters, including any personality quirks, medical issues, or special needs. Information is gathered through many channels, including input from former owners, observations from in-shelter and foster volunteers, and animal care staff, who make an effort to get to know each animal.
The adoption fee includes microchip, spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccines, a small supply of food, deworming, dog license for County residents, collar and leash, or a cardboard pet carrier for cats, rabbits, and other small animals. The adoption fee also covers additional services and treatments that may have been provided on an as-needed basis, such as flea and/or tick preventative, additional surgical intervention, dental care, grooming, etc.
Foster Care Program
The shelter operates an extensive community foster care program allowing animals to thrive and blossom in households while awaiting adoption. A foster care coordinator keeps animals moving smoothly through to adoption.
Medical Care
SCCAS has an in-house clinic run by a veterinarian and medical staff who provide oversight and treatment as needed for shelter animals, from emergency situations to common illnesses. The clinic spays or neuters adoptable shelter animals. This vital service is included in the adoption fee.
Low Cost Spay/Neuter Events
Several times a year, SCCAS partners with an expert outside agency specializing in high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter events for privately owned dogs and cats. Check the SCCAS website for the Planned Pethood program.
Transfers
Every effort is made to find each animal’s best outcome. Animals are warmly housed, cared for, fed, given medical attention if needed, and loved by staff and volunteers. That said, it is always the staff’s goal to reduce the number of days that an animal spends in a shelter. SCCAS partners with over 50 other animal welfare organizations who may provide a quicker path to adoption depending on the ebb and flow of animals in their care.
Free Vaccine Clinics
SCCAS offers 8-10 free vaccine clinics each year throughout the County, known as Healthy Pets For All. For information, check the SCCAS website under Progressive Programs.
Animal Control
Highly trained Animal Control officers rescue animals from all sorts of dangerous situations, and can also respond to wildlife in distress. Officers also work compassionately with owners to help their situations so that they can keep their pets.
Licensing
SCCAS is the issuing agency for dog licenses, which are required by law in Santa Cruz County. Cats are not required to be licensed, but it is recommended for their safety.
Livestock
SCCAS shelters livestock such as horses, goats, pigs, and chickens in the on-site barn.
Emergency Boarding Services
The SafeKeep program provides temporary shelter for animals in cases of emergency such as natural disasters or urgent domestic situations.
Barn Cats
There is a limited Barn Cat placement program for unsocialized cats who are not able to learn to live in a household.
The shelter is located at 1001 Rodriguez Street. To learn more about the SCCAS and its many programs, visit scanimalshelter.org. SCCAS is a Joint Powers Authority whose members are the County of Santa Cruz and the Cities of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Capitola, and Scotts Valley. Its government funding is limited and many of its programs rely on strong community support. You can help sustain the shelter’s important missions at scanimalshelterfoundation.org.
