Oakland Animal Shelter Adoption Hours, Fees, Lost Pets, Surrender Help, Dog Licensing & Animal Control
Use official Oakland Animal Services resources to check adoption hours, view available dogs, cats and rabbits, prepare adoption documents, understand first-come adoption rules, search stray pets, report found animals, redeem a lost pet, license your dog, report animal cruelty, bites, barking or deceased animals, schedule a surrender appointment, foster, volunteer and avoid confusing Oakland Animal Services with Alameda County, Berkeley, Emeryville, San Leandro or private rescue pages.
If you are searching for oakland animal shelter, choose the task closest to what you need. This finder points users to the correct official Oakland Animal Services route for adoption, open hours, dogs, cats, rabbits, lost pets, found pets, animal control, dog licensing, surrender appointments, fostering and volunteering.
Choose one option. The official action card below updates for Oakland adoption, hours, dog adoption, cat adoption, lost pets, animal control, dog licensing, surrender appointments, fostering or volunteering.
🐶 Adopt a pet — start with official Oakland available animals
Use this for: dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals available through Oakland Animal Services.
Best official path: view available animals, visit during adoption hours, fill out the correct application and bring the required documents.
Before you go: adoptions are first come, first served, and animals in foster care may require the completed questionnaire by email instead of a simple walk-in visit.
Oakland Animal Shelter Quick Facts Before You Visit
Oakland Animal Services is the City of Oakland’s open-admission animal shelter. It accepts Oakland’s homeless, injured, orphaned, unwanted, lost, abandoned and mistreated animals, and it also provides animal welfare and public-safety support for the city.
The shelter is located at 1101 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601. The main phone number is 510-535-5602, the fax number is 510-535-5601, and the email listed by the City of Oakland is oas@oaklandca.gov.
What This Oakland Animal Shelter Guide Covers
Oakland Animal Shelter Hours, Adoption Hours, Address and Phone Number
Oakland Animal Services is located at 1101 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601. The main phone number is 510-535-5602. The City of Oakland contact page lists general shelter hours as Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM, Monday 11 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday and Wednesday open by appointment only, Thursday 11 AM to 7 PM, Friday 11 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 11 AM to 5 PM.
For adoption walk-ins, use the adoption-page hours: Thursday 12 PM to 7 PM and Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12 PM to 3 PM. The adoption page says no appointment is needed for adoptable animals at the shelter, except animals in off-site foster care may have a different email-questionnaire process.
1101 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601
Use this location for adoption visits, lost pet redeem, found animals, dog licensing by mail/in-person support and surrender appointments.
Phone: 510-535-5602
Fax: 510-535-5601
Email: oas@oaklandca.gov
Thursday: 12 PM to 7 PM.
Friday–Sunday: 12 PM to 3 PM.
First come, first served.
911 from a landline.
510-777-3211 from a cell phone for emergencies.
510-777-3333 for aggressive, abused, sick, injured or neglected animal reports.
How Oakland Animal Services Adoption Works in 2026
Oakland Animal Services says adopting from OAS helps one animal and makes space for the next animal who needs shelter care. You may print and fill out an adoption application or come to the shelter to fill out an application. The process is first come, first served.
Adoption requirements are strict for a reason. You must be at least 18 years old. Bring government-issued photo ID, such as a valid California driver’s license or passport. If you rent, bring a copy of your lease and/or the landlord’s name and phone number. If you own your home, be ready to show proof of ownership such as a deed or mortgage statement.
View official available animals first
Start with the official available dog, cat or rabbit pages. Save the animal name, ID, location note, shelter/foster status and any medical or behavior notes before visiting.
Visit during adoption hours
For pets physically at the shelter, visit during adoption hours. No appointment is needed for shelter pets, but foster pets require a completed questionnaire by email.
Bring the correct adoption documents
Bring government-issued photo ID, proof of rental or ownership, and any information needed to show that your home can legally and safely keep the pet.
Bring required people and resident dogs
All family and household members age 12 and under who will live with the pet must be present. Resident dogs must meet potential adoptees at the shelter before adoption.
Complete first-come adoption steps
Adoptions are handled first come, first served. Complete the application, staff review, payment, records, safe transport and follow-up care planning before leaving.
Oakland Animal Shelter Adoption Fees and Spay/Neuter Requirement
Oakland Animal Services says adoption fees vary and are listed on the official OAS Fees PDF. Because fee schedules can change, the safest user instruction is to open the current official fee document or call 510-535-5602 before quoting a dollar amount, especially during adoption promotions, fee-waiver events or city fee updates.
One rule is clear: all dogs, cats and rabbits must be spayed or neutered before adoption. This matters for timing. A pet that appears online may not be able to leave immediately if surgery, health review or shelter processing is still pending.
Use the official OAS Fees PDF linked from the City adoption page for current adoption, surrender and related shelter fees.
All adopted dogs, cats and rabbits must be spayed or neutered before adoption is completed.
Fees may vary by animal type, current policy or promotion. Verify before visiting and bring an accepted payment method.
Budget for food, supplies, licensing, vet care, preventives, litter, training, grooming, pet rent and emergencies.
Before paying any Oakland adoption fee
- Open the current OAS Fees PDF or call the shelter before quoting the fee.
- Ask whether a special adoption promotion or waived-fee event applies.
- Confirm whether the pet has been spayed or neutered and when it can legally leave.
- Ask for vaccination, microchip, medical and behavior notes before finalizing adoption.
- For dog adoption, check Oakland dog licensing requirements.
How to View Oakland Adoptable Dogs, Cats and Rabbits Online
Oakland Animal Services provides separate official routes for adoptable dogs, adoptable cats and adoptable rabbits. The dog and cat pages separate animals at the shelter from animals in foster homes, and that difference matters.
For dogs, cats or rabbits at the shelter, come during open adoption hours and complete the application at the shelter or bring a printed application. For animals in foster care, Oakland says to submit a completed adoption questionnaire by email. Foster animals are not simply waiting in the kennel for walk-in visits.
Adoptable Dogs
Check whether the dog is at the shelter or in foster. Resident dogs must meet the potential adoptee before adoption.
Shelter or fosterAdoptable Cats and Rabbits
Check shelter vs foster status. Oakland also lists a Working Cat Program for cats needing safe outdoor homes.
Matchmaking mattersOakland Lost Pets, Found Animals, Stray Holds and Pet Redeem Help
If you found a lost pet in Oakland, Oakland Animal Services asks finders to file found animal reports with local shelters within a 25-mile radius, have the animal scanned for a microchip, and make serious efforts to locate the owner before adoption becomes an option.
The City’s lost-and-found guidance says a pet with no identification is held for four business days, and that hold must include a Saturday. If the lost pet has identification such as a microchip, tag or license, Oakland Animal Services holds the pet for 10 days while attempting to contact the owner.
510-535-5602
Use for OAS lost, found and redeem questions.
oas@oaklandca.gov
Use official contact routes and include photos, location, time and description.
Pets with no identification are held for four business days, including a Saturday, before they may move toward adoption review.
Pets with a microchip, tag or license are held for 10 days while OAS attempts to contact the owner.
Lost or found pet steps that actually help
- Search official stray pet listings and contact Oakland Animal Services quickly.
- File found animal reports with local shelters within a 25-mile radius.
- Have the pet scanned for a microchip as soon as possible.
- Post clear photos with cross streets, date, time and your contact route.
- Use neighborhood flyers, Nextdoor, PawBoost, Craigslist and local lost/found pages.
- If the animal is injured, bring it to the shelter immediately during business hours or follow after-hours emergency guidance.
Oakland Animal Control, Cruelty, Bites, Barking and Emergency Numbers
Oakland Animal Control Officers investigate cruelty and neglect, animal bites, state and local animal law issues, potentially dangerous and vicious dog cases, sick and injured domestic and wild animals, deceased animals and support for pets owned by low-income residents.
Use the right number. To report an aggressive, abused, sick, injured or neglected animal, call Oakland Police Department Dispatch at 510-777-3333. To report animal bites, barking or deceased animals, call 510-535-4884. In emergencies, call 911 from a landline or 510-777-3211 from a cell phone.
510-777-3333
Use Oakland Police Dispatch for these animal-control reports.
510-535-4884
Use for animal bites, barking complaints or deceased animal reports.
911 from a landline.
510-777-3211 from a cell phone.
510-535-5602
Use for shelter services, adoption, licensing, redeem, surrender and general OAS questions.
Oakland Dog Licensing, DocuPet and Rabies Documentation
All dogs over four months old in Oakland must have a valid dog license. Oakland residents can license dogs online through DocuPet or by mail. For online licensing, create a DocuPet account and upload required documents. For mail licensing, send a copy of the current rabies certificate and any other applicable documentation with payment.
The City lists the mail address as Oakland Animal Shelter, Attn: Animal Licensing, 1101 29th Ave, Oakland, CA 94601. For licensing questions, call 510-535-5602.
All Oakland dogs over four months old must have a valid dog license.
Use DocuPet to create an account, license pets and upload required documents.
Mail rabies proof and other required documents to Oakland Animal Shelter, Attn: Animal Licensing, 1101 29th Ave, Oakland, CA 94601.
510-535-5602
Call for Oakland dog licensing questions.
Oakland Animal Shelter Surrender Appointments and Owner Responsibility
Surrendering a pet to Oakland Animal Services requires planning. If you have been looking for a new home for your pet and have been unsuccessful, or if you need help keeping your pet, Oakland directs owners to review surrendering-an-animal resources before starting the surrender process.
To surrender, call 510-535-5602 during business hours to schedule an appointment. You must be 18 years old or older, the legal owner, and a resident of Oakland to surrender your pet. At the appointment, you will complete a pet profile questionnaire and pay the surrender fee.
510-535-5602
Call during business hours to schedule a surrender appointment.
You must be 18 or older, the legal owner and an Oakland resident.
You will complete a pet profile questionnaire and pay the surrender fee.
OAS evaluates age, temperament, behavior and health to decide whether an animal may be adopted, transferred or humanely euthanized if too sick, injured or aggressive.
Oakland Foster Program, Volunteer Roles and Shelter Support
Oakland Animal Services explains that fostering saves lives because animals may struggle in the stressful shelter environment and need a home setting to decompress. OAS says it helps match foster homes with animals, provides supplies and support, and uses foster feedback to help pets find permanent homes.
Oakland also has volunteer opportunities. Volunteers help care for animals, support adoptions, assist community veterinary clinics and take many roles that improve outcomes for animals and people in Oakland. Some volunteer positions include training; others require previous experience or a specific skill set.
Dog foster, cat and kitten foster, and rabbit foster programs are listed by Oakland Animal Services.
Fostering gives animals time to decompress, show their real personality and become stronger adoption candidates.
Volunteers help animals in the shelter, support adoptions, help community clinics and provide many types of shelter support.
Use official OAS and Friends of Oakland Animal Services routes for donations, supplies, fostering and volunteer help.
Oakland Animal Shelter vs Alameda County, Berkeley, Emeryville and Private Rescue Pages
The search phrase “oakland animal shelter” usually refers to Oakland Animal Services at 1101 29th Avenue. But users may also find Alameda County animal services, Berkeley Animal Care Services, private rescues, Friends of Oakland Animal Services, Petfinder, social posts, Facebook lost-pet pages and third-party shelter directories.
These are not interchangeable. Wrong agency means wrong adoption hours, wrong reclaim location, wrong animal-control number, wrong license portal, wrong surrender rule and wrong lost/found process.
Oakland Animal Services
1101 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601.
Alameda County, Berkeley, Emeryville, San Leandro, Alameda, private rescues, Petfinder or Facebook lost-pet pages.
The correct agency depends on where the animal was found, where you live, who owns the animal and whether the issue is adoption, reclaim, licensing or enforcement.
Confirm the city where the animal was found and use the official OAS page before visiting, reporting, surrendering or paying any fee.
Official Oakland Animal Shelter, Adoption and Control Links
Use these official resources first. This protects users from stale pet screenshots, wrong shelter hours, wrong fee amounts, old rescue reposts, outdated lost-pet listings and confusion between Oakland Animal Services and nearby agencies.
🏠 Pets & Animals
Main City of Oakland page for Animal Services, adoption, licensing, lost/found, foster and volunteer links.
Open Pets & Animals🐾 Adopt a Pet
Official OAS adoption hours, application guidance, requirements and fee schedule link.
Open Adopt a Pet🐕 Adopt a Dog
Official dog adoption page with shelter dog and foster dog instructions.
Open Adopt a Dog🐈 Adopt a Cat
Official cat adoption page with shelter cats, foster cats and Working Cat Program guidance.
Open Adopt a Cat🐇 Adopt a Rabbit
Official rabbit and other animal adoption instructions.
Open Adopt a Rabbit🔎 Lost and Found
Official lost/found checklist, found pet guidance, stray hold rules and redeem information.
Open Lost & Found🔍 Search Stray Pets
Official route to search for stray animals in Oakland Animal Services care.
Search Stray Pets🚨 Animal Control
Official animal-control division page for cruelty, neglect, bites, barking and sick/injured animals.
Open Animal Control🏷️ Dog Licensing
Official Oakland dog licensing page with DocuPet online and mail-in options.
Open Dog Licensing📅 Surrender an Animal
Official appointment requirement, owner requirement, questionnaire and surrender fee information.
Open Surrender Page🏡 Foster a Pet
Official foster program overview for dogs, cats, kittens and rabbits.
Open Foster Page💚 Volunteer
Official volunteer information and next steps for helping Oakland animals.
Open Volunteer PagePhone, address and contact details
Oakland Animal Services
1101 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601
510-535-5602
Fax: 510-535-5601
Email: oas@oaklandca.gov
510-777-3333 for aggressive, abused, sick, injured or neglected animal reports.
510-535-4884 for bites, barking or deceased animal reports.
Oakland Animal Shelter Map and Visit Location
Oakland Animal Services is located at 1101 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601. Use this location for adoption visits, lost pet redeem, found animal help, dog licensing support, surrender appointments, foster or volunteer questions and official Oakland shelter services.
Oakland Animal Services
Address: 1101 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601
Oakland Animal Shelter FAQs
What are Oakland Animal Shelter adoption hours in 2026?
Oakland Animal Services lists walk-in adoption hours as Thursday from 12 PM to 7 PM and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 3 PM. General shelter hours may be broader, so use the adoption hours when your main goal is adopting a pet.
Where is Oakland Animal Services located?
Oakland Animal Services is located at 1101 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601.
What is the Oakland Animal Shelter phone number?
The main Oakland Animal Services phone number is 510-535-5602. The email listed by the City is oas@oaklandca.gov.
Do I need an appointment to adopt from Oakland Animal Services?
No appointment is needed for animals physically at the shelter during adoption hours. Animals in foster care require a completed adoption questionnaire by email because they are not housed at the shelter for walk-in visits.
What do I need to bring to adopt a pet from OAS?
You must be at least 18 and bring government-issued photo ID. Renters should bring a lease copy and/or landlord name and phone number. Homeowners should be prepared to show proof of ownership. Household members age 12 and under who will live with the pet must be present, and resident dogs must meet potential adopted dogs at the shelter.
Are Oakland Animal Shelter adoptions first come, first served?
Yes. Oakland Animal Services says adoptions are done on a first come, first served basis. View available animals first, then visit the shelter to turn in your application during adoption hours.
How much are Oakland Animal Shelter adoption fees?
Oakland Animal Services says adoption fees vary and are listed on the official OAS Fees PDF. Check the current fee document or call 510-535-5602 before quoting a fee because fees and promotions can change.
Are dogs, cats and rabbits spayed or neutered before adoption?
Yes. Oakland Animal Services states that all dogs, cats and rabbits must be spayed or neutered before adoption.
What should I do if I lost a pet in Oakland?
Search official stray pet listings, contact Oakland Animal Services at 510-535-5602, check local shelters, update microchip information, post clear flyers and use local lost/found pet pages with photos and cross streets.
What should I do if I found a pet in Oakland?
File found animal reports with local shelters within a 25-mile radius, have the pet scanned for a microchip, post clear photos, contact OAS, and do not assume you can adopt the pet until owner-search efforts and the legal stray hold period are completed.
Who do I call for animal control in Oakland?
For aggressive, abused, sick, injured or neglected animals, call Oakland Police Dispatch at 510-777-3333. For animal bites, barking or deceased animals, call 510-535-4884. For emergencies, call 911 from a landline or 510-777-3211 from a cell phone.
How do I surrender a pet to Oakland Animal Services?
Call 510-535-5602 during business hours to schedule a surrender appointment. You must be 18 or older, the legal owner and an Oakland resident. You will complete a pet profile questionnaire and pay the surrender fee.
Best Way to Use Oakland Animal Services in 2026
The best path is simple: use official Oakland Animal Services pages first, verify current adoption hours, check available dogs, cats or rabbits, bring the required ID and housing documents, use official lost/found tools for missing animals, call the correct animal-control number for urgent issues, license Oakland dogs over four months old and schedule surrender appointments instead of arriving without planning.
For the focus keyword oakland animal shelter, this guide covers the full user intent: adoption hours, shelter address, phone number, available dogs, cats and rabbits, first-come adoption rules, adoption fees, spay/neuter requirements, lost pets, found pets, stray holds, dog licensing, animal control, surrender appointments, foster programs, volunteer help, map and official links. That is the difference between a useful Oakland shelter page and a thin article that only repeats an address.
Important Notice: This article is an independent informational guide and is not Oakland Animal Services, the City of Oakland, Oakland Police Department, animal control, law enforcement, a veterinarian, emergency dispatch or a legal authority. Adoption availability, adoption hours, general shelter hours, adoption fees, fee promotions, spay/neuter timing, lost/found procedures, stray hold rules, surrender appointments, surrender fees, dog licensing requirements, dispatch routing, foster requirements, volunteer requirements, emergency routing and shelter operations can change. Always verify urgent or official matters directly with Oakland Animal Services, City of Oakland, Oakland Police Department, emergency services or the appropriate official agency before acting.