San Martin Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

Home › California Animal Shelters › San Martin Animal Shelter
Verified Santa Clara County Shelter Guide

San Martin Animal Shelter Guide: Adoption Hours, Fees, Lost Pets, Animal Control, Video & Map

San Martin Animal Shelter is commonly searched by people looking for the County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center. Use this guide for the official address, phone number, adoption hours, fees, lost pet steps, rehoming help, animal-control routing, official video, map, and practical visitor checklist.

Official shelter address 12425 Monterey Road, San Martin, CA 95046
Main phone 408-686-3900
Adoption center hours Weekdays 12–6 PM; weekends 12–5 PM

Quick Answer: What is the San Martin Animal Shelter?

San Martin Animal Shelter usually refers to the County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center at 12425 Monterey Road in San Martin, California. The official County site lists the main phone as 408-686-3900, weekday hours from noon to 6 PM, and weekend hours from noon to 5 PM.

Best first step: for adoption, the official County page says to visit during open hours, with no appointment necessary and no pre-application process. Still, check the live adoptable-pet page before driving because availability can change quickly.

Choose what you need today

Most visitors are trying to complete one urgent task. Pick the section that matches your situation.

Verified San Martin Animal Shelter facts

Official entityCounty of Santa Clara Animal Services Center
Common search nameSan Martin Animal Shelter
Street address12425 Monterey Road, San Martin, CA 95046
Main phone408-686-3900
Fax408-683-2776
Weekday hoursMonday–Friday, 12 PM–6 PM
Weekend hoursSaturday–Sunday, 12 PM–5 PM
ClosedCounty holidays
Source-check note: hours, adoption fees, animal availability, field-service coverage, shelter holidays, and special adoption events can change. Always confirm through the official County of Santa Clara Animal Services website before driving.

Video Guide: See the County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center in San Martin

This official-style video result features the County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center in San Martin and helps users understand the facility, shelter operations, and local animal-care mission before visiting, adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating.

How to use this video: watch it for shelter context, then use the official County pages for current adoption hours, fees, lost/found listings, licensing, animal-control coverage, and service forms. A video helps explain the shelter, but the official website remains the final source for current rules.
If you want to adoptUse the video to understand the center, then visit the official adoption page and review the live pet listings before driving.
If you want to helpCheck official foster, volunteer and donation pages after watching. Shelter needs may change by season and capacity.

San Martin Animal Shelter adoption process: what to do step by step

The County’s official adoption page says visitors can come during open hours, and that no appointment or pre-application process is necessary. That makes the San Martin center easier for many families than application-only rescues, but you should still prepare before visiting.

Check adoptable animals online first.
Look at the official County adoption page before driving. A pet may be adopted, moved, placed on hold, or no longer available by the time you arrive.
Visit during open hours.
The official adoption page lists open hours as 12–6 PM on weekdays and 12–5 PM on weekends. The center is closed on County holidays.
Ask staff about the animal’s needs.
Ask about energy level, medical notes, known behavior, compatibility with children or pets, and whether the pet is already altered and microchipped.
Bring the right person and paperwork.
Bring photo ID, household decision-makers when possible, renter permission if needed, and a realistic plan for transport.
Confirm fee and included care.
Ask exactly what the adoption fee includes for that animal and whether any follow-up care, vaccines, licensing, or deposits are needed.
Plan the first week at home.
Prepare food, bowls, bedding, leash, carrier, litter, cleaning supplies, decompression space, and a veterinary follow-up plan.

San Martin Animal Shelter adoption fees

The official Santa Clara County adoption page lists adoption fees by animal age. Use the table below for planning, but confirm current amounts before adoption day because special events, fee-waived days, or policy updates may change the amount due.

Animal type Official fee listed What to ask before adopting
Dogs, 5 months or older $110 Ask about behavior notes, leash manners, energy level, medical needs, and whether the dog has been tested with other dogs.
Puppies, 4 months or less $120 Ask about vaccine schedule, training needs, expected size, spay/neuter status, and follow-up care.
Cats, 5 months or older $90; cardboard carrier recommended and listed separately Ask about litter habits, hiding, stress, comfort with children, and whether the cat has lived with other pets.
Kittens, 4 months or less $100; cardboard carrier recommended and listed separately Ask whether the kitten is ready to leave, whether vaccines are current, and what follow-up is needed.
Practical fee tip: a lower adoption fee does not mean no future costs. Budget for food, supplies, pet deposit, licensing, follow-up vaccines, parasite prevention, grooming, training, and emergency veterinary care.

Before you visit for adoption: quick checklist

Bring photo IDUse a valid ID and current contact information for the person adopting.
Confirm housing rulesIf you rent, check pet permission, breed restrictions, weight limits, pet deposits, and number-of-pets rules.
Bring transport suppliesUse a secure carrier for cats and a safe leash/vehicle plan for dogs.
Ask behavior questionsAsk about handling, stress, medical notes, other pets, children, and any known fears.
Plan arrival timeArrive with enough time to view pets and speak with staff before closing.
Do not rely on screenshotsUse the live official listing because shelter availability changes quickly.

Lost dog or cat in Santa Clara County: what to do first

The County’s lost-pet page says online lost pet listings update every hour, but it is not enough to rely on web listings alone. That is important because technical issues, incorrect descriptions, timing delays, and frightened-pet behavior can all make a listing incomplete.

Search the official lost/found listings.
Use the County lost-pet page and check repeatedly. Do not assume one search is enough.
Call the shelter if needed.
Use 408-686-3900 and clearly say where the pet was lost, when it disappeared, and what the pet looks like.
Update your microchip immediately.
Use AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup and contact your microchip registry. Make sure your phone and email are current.
Search physically near the last location.
Cats often hide close to home. Dogs may travel farther. Check garages, porches, sheds, bushes, alleys, and nearby streets.
Check the right agency.
Santa Clara County has multiple animal agencies. The San Martin center is not always the correct shelter for every city in the county.
Bring proof if reclaiming.
Bring photos, vet records, license records, microchip registration, adoption paperwork, or other proof that the animal is yours.
Lost pet scam warning: if someone claims they found your pet and demands money, bank details, gift cards, or sensitive information before proof, slow down and verify through the official shelter or law-enforcement route.

Found a pet near San Martin, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Sunnyvale or unincorporated Santa Clara County

If you found a pet, do not assume the animal was abandoned. The right route depends on where the pet was found. The County shelter provides sheltering services to certain areas, but other cities may use other animal control agencies.

Scan for a microchipA shelter or veterinary clinic may be able to scan for a chip and help identify the owner.
Do not give away the pet onlinePosting helps, but require proof of ownership and use official reporting routes.
Use the correct agencySanta Clara County includes multiple city and county animal agencies. Location matters.
Safety firstDo not handle aggressive, injured, sick, or frightened animals if it puts you at risk. Call the proper authority.
Found-pet script: “Hi, I found a dog/cat near [street/intersection] in [city/unincorporated area]. The pet is [color/size/breed], has [collar/no collar], and I can send photos. Is San Martin the correct place to report or bring this animal?”

Rehoming or surrendering a pet: call before you come

The County’s rehoming page says if you need help rehoming your pet, you should call the shelter in advance at 408-686-3900. Staff may ask questions about your pet and the reason for surrender. This helps them understand space, safety, behavior, medical needs, and possible alternatives.

Do not drop off a pet without approval. Owner surrender is not the same as walking in and leaving an animal. Call first, explain the situation honestly, and ask what options are available.
Prepare honest detailsAge, species, breed, sex, spay/neuter status, vaccines, medical conditions, medication, bite history and behavior notes.
Explain the reasonHousing, cost, allergy, behavior, family change, illness, military move or safety issue should be explained clearly.
Ask about alternativesAsk about rehoming options, community pet resources, temporary support, low-cost services or behavioral help.
Avoid unsafe handoffsDo not give a pet to a stranger without screening, proof of ability to care, and safe adoption steps.

Animal control, cruelty, bites, loose animals and emergency routing

The County of Santa Clara Animal Services mission includes investigating complaints of animal cruelty and neglect. Its field service division provides animal control services to unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County, including the Stanford Campus. Cities may have separate animal-control agencies, so always verify the correct jurisdiction.

Immediate dangerCall 911 for active attacks, life-threatening situations, or cruelty in progress.
County animal concernsUse official Santa Clara County Animal Services reporting routes for unincorporated areas and covered service areas.
Wrong city riskSan Jose, Santa Clara, Campbell, Mountain View and other cities may use different agencies.
Pet poisoningCall ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435. A fee may apply.
Lost or found petUse the County lost/found page and the correct local agency list.
Non-emergency issuesUse official animal-control reporting forms or phone routes instead of emergency dispatch.
Important distinction: Animal-Shelter.org is not animal control and cannot dispatch officers. Use official County or city routes for non-emergency concerns and 911 for emergencies.

Pet services, licensing, spay/neuter, foster, volunteer and donations

The County site includes more than adoption. Users can find licensing, spay/neuter information, foster care, volunteer opportunities, donation options, lost/found resources and community support. This matters for people who want to help animals but are not ready to adopt today.

License your petThe County provides dog and cat licensing information for residents of unincorporated Santa Clara County.
Spay and neuterCheck official spay/neuter pages for pricing, eligibility, and appointment rules.
Foster careFoster opportunities may include dogs, field trips, kittens or other animals depending on shelter need.
VolunteerVolunteers help with socialization, enrichment and animal comfort while increasing adoptability.
DonateDonations support animal wellness, medical treatment and adoption readiness.
Use official pagesRequirements, fees and availability can change, so rely on County pages rather than old screenshots.

Call scripts for San Martin Animal Shelter users

Use a clear script so shelter staff or the correct agency can route your question faster.

Adoption script: “Hi, I’m interested in adopting [dog/cat name or animal ID]. I saw the animal on the County website. Is the animal still available, and should I visit during open hours?”

Lost pet script: “Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [street/intersection] in [city/unincorporated area]. The pet is [description], may have [collar/microchip], and I can send photos. Is this the correct shelter to check?”

Found pet script: “Hi, I found a [dog/cat] near [street/intersection]. I need to report the found pet and check for a microchip. What is the correct next step for this location?”

Rehoming script: “Hi, I need help rehoming my pet. My pet is [age/species], has [medical/behavior notes], and the reason is [brief reason]. What information do you need, and what options should I try first?”

San Martin Animal Shelter map and visit planning

The County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center is listed at 12425 Monterey Road, San Martin, CA 95046. Before leaving, check current hours, confirm animal availability, and make sure San Martin is the correct agency for your city or unincorporated area.

Arrival tip: bring ID, a pet carrier or safe leash setup, renter permission if needed, the animal ID or profile link, and proof of ownership if reclaiming a lost pet. Arrive with enough time before closing.

Official San Martin Animal Shelter links

Lost pet pageLost pet resources
Other local agenciesSanta Clara County agency list
Rehoming your petOfficial rehoming page
Report animal issuesAnimal control reporting

Common mistakes that slow people down

Using the wrong agencySanta Clara County has multiple animal shelters and control agencies. Always verify by city or unincorporated area.
Relying only on web listingsThe County warns web listings alone are not enough for lost pets. Call and check in person when needed.
Arriving near closingAdoption conversations, viewing pets and paperwork take time. Arrive earlier when possible.
Skipping housing checksRenters should confirm landlord approval before adopting a pet.
Trying to surrender without callingThe official rehoming page says to call in advance if you need help rehoming a pet.
Ignoring scam signsLost-pet scammers may demand money or sensitive information. Verify through official routes.

San Martin Animal Shelter FAQs

The main phone number for the County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center in San Martin is 408-686-3900.

The shelter is listed at 12425 Monterey Road, San Martin, CA 95046.

The official County pages list hours as Monday through Friday from 12 PM to 6 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM. The shelter is closed on County holidays.

The official adoption page says no appointment is necessary and there is no pre-application process for adoption-center visits.

The official adoption page lists dogs 5 months or older at $110 and puppies 4 months or less at $120. Confirm current fees before adopting.

The official adoption page lists cats 5 months or older at $90 and kittens 4 months or less at $100, with a cardboard carrier recommendation and separate listed cost.

Search the official lost-pet listings, call the correct shelter or agency, update microchip information, search physically, and do not rely only on online listings.

No. The County shelter serves unincorporated areas for animal control and provides sheltering services to certain cities. Other cities may use different animal control agencies, so verify by location.

The County rehoming page says to call the shelter in advance at 408-686-3900 if you need help rehoming your pet. Staff may ask questions about the pet and reason for surrender.

The County site says San Martin Animal Services provides dog and cat licenses to residents of unincorporated Santa Clara County.

Yes. The official site includes foster care and volunteer pages. Requirements, opportunities and scheduling may change, so check the official pages before applying.

No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent directory guide. The official information is provided by County of Santa Clara Animal Services.

USA-wide shelter helper • adoption, lost pets, found pets, surrender and animal control

Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper

Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.

Lost Pet PlanSearch, microchip, shelter checks, flyers
Found Pet HelpSafety, scanning, reporting, holding
Adoption PlannerReadiness, questions, supplies, budget
Visit ChecklistDocuments, call script, official links

Build a USA-wide shelter action plan

Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.

Important: Shelter rules vary by city, county, agency, and animal type. Always confirm hours, intake rules, fees, appointment requirements, and proof-of-ownership rules with the official shelter or animal control agency before visiting.

Lost pet recovery checklist

Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.

0% completed

Found pet safety decision helper

Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.

Safety first: Do not approach an aggressive, injured, trapped, or traffic-endangered animal if doing so could put you or others at risk. Contact animal control, emergency services, or a qualified professional when needed.

Adoption readiness checker

This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.

0% readiness signals checked

Pet reclaim document checklist

If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.

Owner surrender preparation helper

Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.

Helpful reminder: Ask the shelter about pet food pantries, low-cost vet care, behavior support, temporary foster options, and safe rehoming resources before making a final decision.

Animal control contact decision helper

Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.

Emergency warning: If there is immediate danger to a person, a serious bite, traffic hazard, or active attack, contact local emergency services or animal control according to local rules.

Adoption and first-month budget planner

This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.

Your generated shelter plan

Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.

Start with the Planner tab

Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.

USA-wide Shelter user intent Official-source focused

Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.