Contra Costa County Martinez Animal Shelter & Adoption 2026
Use this Martinez shelter guide to check adoption hours, adoption fees, available pets, lost/found reports, sick or injured animal intake, licensing, impound costs, surrender appointments, vaccination clinics and official Contra Costa County animal links.
Verified note: the current contact page lists seven-day shelter hours, while some directory/FAQ pages still show the older Tuesday-Saturday schedule. This guide marks the conflict clearly and tells users to call before relying on Sunday or Monday access.
Official source checked
Last verified: August 12, 2026. Details use Contra Costa County Animal Services contact, adoption, adoption policy, fees, licensing, lost/found, vaccination/microchip, and sick/injured animal pages.
Hours conflict handled safely
One current contact page shows Sunday and Monday open, while staff directory/FAQ pages still show Sunday and Monday closed. This page uses a “call before driving” rule.
No fake data added
No fake ratings, no fake reviews, no fake pet availability, no unverified staff promises, and no BreadcrumbList schema inside this Custom HTML.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- Who to call first
- Shelter hours and conflict note
- Adoption micro-steps
- Adoption fees
- Lost/found pet route
- Hold period and reclaim warning
- Impound, boarding and surrender fees
- Dog/cat licensing
- Vaccination and microchip fees
- Sick, injured and service area rules
- Owner surrender and TNR
- Before you go
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable Contra Costa Martinez Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. Each card uses an official county page or the safest phone route.
Who to Call First
Use this before you drive, bring in a found animal, apply for adoption, or try to handle an unsafe animal.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt from Martinez shelter | 925-608-8400 | “I’m interested in animal ID [ID]. Is the animal still available and can I meet/adopt today?” | Have up to 3 Animal IDs ready before applying online. |
| Dog meet-and-greet | Available Dogs | “Is a volunteer available for a meet-and-greet during today’s hours?” | Dog meet-and-greets are listed for Tuesday-Saturday 10am-1pm and Wednesday 10am-7pm, with other times depending on volunteer availability. |
| Lost pet | Lost & Found + call | “My pet is missing near [city/cross streets]. Has a matching animal been impounded?” | File an online lost report and check shelter animals daily. |
| Found pet with county license tag | 925-608-8400 | “I found a pet wearing Contra Costa County license tag [number]. Can you help identify the owner?” | Also have the animal scanned for a microchip. |
| Sick or injured animal | 925-608-8400 | “I found a sick or injured [species] at [exact location].” | CCAS serves most county areas but excludes Antioch; Antioch animals route to Antioch Animal Services. |
| Animal complaint / cruelty / stray | 925-608-8400 or 510-374-3966 | “I need help with [stray/wildlife/cruelty/noisy animal] at [location].” | Give facts, photos if safe, and exact location. |
| Licensing question | 833-259-2136 | “I need help with a Contra Costa County dog license/rabies expiration.” | Prepare rabies certificate and altered/unaltered proof. |
Contra Costa Martinez Shelter Hours and Call-First Note
The latest contact page and older directory/FAQ pages are not perfectly aligned. This section keeps the public safe from wrong-day visits.
| Day | Current contact-page listing | Older directory/FAQ conflict | Best action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 10:00am-5:00pm | Some pages still say closed | Call 925-608-8400 before visiting. |
| Monday | 10:00am-5:00pm | Some pages still say closed | Call before planning adoption, reclaim or surrender. |
| Tuesday | 10:00am-5:00pm | Generally consistent | Dog meet-and-greets listed 10am-1pm. |
| Wednesday | 10:00am-7:00pm | Call center may close earlier | Final transactions by 6:30pm. |
| Thursday | 10:00am-5:00pm | Generally consistent | Final transactions by 4:30pm. |
| Friday | 10:00am-5:00pm | Generally consistent | Call ahead for specific Animal ID. |
| Saturday | 10:00am-5:00pm | Generally consistent | Expect higher adoption demand. |
| Major holidays | Closed | Consistent | Use emergency line only for urgent animal issues. |
Adoption Micro-Steps
This matches the County’s adoption pages and avoids the common mistake of assuming online application equals a pet hold.
Search available animals
Start from the official adoption page or available-animal pages. Screenshot the Animal ID number before calling or applying.
Call with the Animal ID
CCAS says you can call 925-608-8400 and have the Animal ID ready for more information about available pets.
Use online or in-person adoption route
Virtual and in-person adoptions are available. Online applications are answered in the order received, usually within 72 hours, but availability is not guaranteed.
Prepare transport
Bring a leash and collar/harness for a dog or a kennel/pet carrier for cats and other pets. Bring a trusted adult helper if possible.
Budget enough visit time
The adoption policy says adoption time can vary from about 30 minutes to two hours or more, and adopters should be prepared for at least two hours if meeting multiple animals.
Use the free exam quickly
Within 72 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays, adopters may take the pet to a participating veterinarian for a free physical exam. Vaccines, medication and supplies may still cost extra.
Contra Costa Animal Adoption Fees
The official adoption-fee page says fees may vary by individual animal and that license, rabies vaccination and/or microchip fees may be required when applicable.
| Animal type | Official adoption fee | Important note | Ask before adopting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppies under 6 months | $155 | Dogs/cats/rabbits must be spayed or neutered before adoption. | Ask about vaccines, license, microchip and pickup timing. |
| Dogs 6 months to under 6 years | $135 | Dog fee may not include every required checkout item. | Ask about meet-and-greet and medical/behavior notes. |
| Dogs 6 years and older | $85 | Senior citizens over 65 adopting dogs/cats over 6 years pay $5. | Ask if the senior adopter fee applies. |
| Kittens under 4 months | $120 | Very young animals may have special availability/pickup rules. | Ask about booster schedule and spay/neuter status. |
| Cats 4 months to under 6 years | $100 | Cats must be altered before adoption. | Bring a secure carrier. |
| Cats over 6 years | $55 | Senior adopter fee may apply for eligible adopters. | Ask about health history and quiet-room setup. |
| Rabbits | $25 | Rabbits must be spayed/neutered before adoption. | Ask about housing, diet and rabbit-safe setup. |
| Guinea pigs | $10 | Small-animal care varies by species. | Ask about cage, bedding and diet. |
| Hamsters / mice | $5 | Small-animal adoption fee. | Ask about handling and enclosure needs. |
| Other animals | Set by Director or sealed bid | Horses, sheep, goats and similar animals may follow a sealed-bid process. | Call for the current animal-specific route. |
Lost or Found Pet in Contra Costa County
CCAS says all lost and found pet reports are filed online. Use shelter, microchip, license tag, social posts and flyers together.
If your pet is lost
- Search current impounded animals and file an online lost report through the official lost/found route.
- Call 925-608-8400 with your pet’s description and last-seen location.
- If microchipped, call the microchip company and update contact information.
- Check reports daily; online reports may send daily email matches.
- Use Pet Harbor, Petco Love Lost, PawBoost, Nextdoor, Craigslist and local FIDO Alert groups.
- Make bright, bold, short and specific flyers near where the pet was lost.
- For indoor-only cats, search very close to home, under decks, garages, crawl spaces and quiet hiding spots.
If you found a pet
- Check collar and ID tags first.
- If the pet has a Contra Costa County license tag, call 925-608-8400 or email the shelter for help identifying the owner.
- Have the pet scanned for a microchip at a shelter or veterinarian.
- File a found pet report online and upload a clear image.
- Post the found pet online and put flyers near the found location.
- Keep the animal separate from your pets and children until you receive guidance.
- Do not privately rehome a found pet before the official owner-reunification route has a chance to work.
Hold Period and Reclaim Warning
Do not wait if your pet may be impounded. Hold time changes based on identification.
No ID
Animals impounded at Contra Costa Animal Services are held a minimum of 3 business days when no identification applies.
Some ID
The hold extends to 5 business days with some form of identification.
Current county license tag
The hold extends to 10 business days with a current Contra Costa County license tag.
Impound, Boarding, Quarantine, Surrender and Pickup Fees
These are planning amounts from the county fee schedule. A real reclaim or surrender total can combine multiple items.
| Fee item | Amount | Applies to | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second impound within 12 months | $100 | Repeat impound | Repeat incidents cost more. |
| Third impound within 24 months | $150 | Repeat impound | Use license and microchip to reduce risk. |
| Fourth impound within 36 months | $200 | Repeat impound | High-cost warning. |
| First impound of unaltered dog/cat | $35 | Additional unaltered penalty | Added to applicable case total. |
| Second impound of unaltered dog/cat | $50 | Additional unaltered penalty | Repeat unaltered fee. |
| Third impound of unaltered dog/cat | $100 | Additional unaltered penalty | Higher repeat fee. |
| Dog or cat board fee | $25/day | Impounded dog/cat | Reclaim quickly to reduce boarding charges. |
| Other small animal board fee | $21/day | Small animal | Call for species-specific total. |
| Other large animal board fee | $29/day | Large animals | Large animal cases can involve extra costs. |
| Home quarantine admin fee | $100 | Quarantine case | Follow Animal Services instructions exactly. |
| Shelter quarantine | $35/day | Dog/cat quarantine | May apply in bite/exposure cases. |
| Licensed live dog/cat surrender | $30 | Owner surrender | Surrender is by appointment. |
| Unlicensed live dog/cat surrender | $50 | Owner surrender | Higher fee if unlicensed. |
| Owned animal under 100 lb pickup | $75 | Home/field pickup by ASO | Call for actual route and service area. |
Contra Costa Dog and Cat Licensing
County licensing pages say dogs over 4 months must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed by 5 months. License timing cannot extend beyond rabies vaccine expiration.
| License item | Fee / rule | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies expires in 3-12 months, altered pet | $25 | Use shorter license when rabies expires within 1 year. |
| Rabies expires in 12-36 months, altered pet | $60 | Longer license possible if rabies is valid long enough. |
| Rabies expires in 3-12 months, unaltered pet | $65 | Higher unaltered fee. |
| Rabies expires in 12-36 months, unaltered pet | $180 | Higher long-term unaltered fee. |
| Senior 65+, first altered pet | $0 | Proof of age required. |
| Senior 65+, second/subsequent altered pets | 50% off regular fees | No discount on unaltered pets. |
| Active military/veteran, first altered pet | $0 | Proof required. |
| Active military/veteran, second/subsequent altered pets | 50% off regular fees | No discount on unaltered pets. |
| Replacement tag | $7 | Use if tag is lost. |
| Late fee | $20 | Applies 30 days past expiration. |
| Citation clearing fee | $40 | Used in failure-to-license citation situations. |
Vaccination and Microchip Fees
Contra Costa’s vaccination/microchip page lists clinic-style fees for county residents. Ask for clinic schedule and eligibility before visiting.
| Service | Fee | Applies to | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DA2PPV dog vaccine | $19 | Dogs | Core dog vaccine listing. |
| Dog rabies vaccine | $6 | Dogs | Rabies proof helps licensing. |
| Bordetella intranasal | $19 | Dogs | Ask if needed for boarding/training. |
| Canine influenza | $25 | Dogs | Ask whether your dog needs it. |
| Leptospirosis | $19 | Dogs | Ask veterinarian/shelter staff for fit. |
| Dog microchip | $18 | Dogs | Microchip improves lost-pet return chance. |
| FVRCP cat vaccine | $19 | Cats | Core cat vaccine listing. |
| Cat rabies vaccine | $6 | Cats | Rabies may matter for records and safety. |
| Feline leukemia | $19 | Cats | Ask if appropriate for your cat. |
| Cat microchip | $18 | Cats | Especially useful for indoor cats that escape. |
Sick, Injured Animals, Wildlife and Service Area
This section prevents wrong routing, especially for Antioch and wildlife cases.
Sick or injured domestic animal
If you find a sick or injured domestic animal or livestock in the CCAS service area, call 925-608-8400.
Antioch exclusion
CCAS says it provides service to 18 of the 19 cities in Contra Costa County, excluding Antioch. Animals found in Antioch should route to Antioch Animal Services.
Injured wildlife
FAQ says to call Animal Services for advice about injured wildlife. Lindsay Wildlife in Walnut Creek is also listed as a local wildlife hospital resource.
Wild turkeys
Animal Services does not generally respond to wild turkey situations unless injured or creating a public safety hazard.
Dead birds / squirrels
FAQ says Animal Services does not pick up dead birds or squirrels for West Nile Virus reporting; the state West Nile route is listed separately.
Skunk safety
If a dead or injured skunk may have contacted people or pets, do not handle or trap it. Call Animal Services for assistance.
Owner Surrender and Community Cat / TNR Note
Do not assume walk-in owner surrender. The Martinez page says owner surrendered animals are accepted from Contra Costa County residents by appointment only.
Appointment only
Owner surrendered animals are accepted from Contra Costa County residents by appointment only. Use the pet help/surrender form or call first.
Surrender fee planning
Listed fees include $30 for licensed live dog/cat and $50 for unlicensed live dog/cat. Other animal fees vary by weight/type.
Community cat / TNR
The Martinez contact page says healthy/friendly community cats or kittens over one year in age without an owner are referred to the Trap-Neuter-Return program.
Before You Go to the Martinez Shelter
Animal ID number, phone confirmation, carrier/leash, payment, 2-hour time buffer, resident-pet plan.
Recent photo, microchip number, license tag, cross streets, online lost report and daily search plan.
Photo, found location/time, tag/microchip scan route, safe containment and shelter report.
Rabies certificate, altered proof, senior/veteran proof if applicable, and appointment/clinic confirmation.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I’m interested in adopting animal ID [ID] from the Martinez shelter. Is this animal still available, and can I meet or adopt today?Hours confirmation
Hi, I’m checking Martinez Shelter public hours for today. Are you open to the public today, and what time do final transactions need to be at the counter?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat/other] is missing near [city/cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip/license tag]. Has a matching animal been impounded?Found animal
Hi, I found a [species] near [exact location]. It has/does not have ID tags. I can/cannot safely hold it. What is the correct report or intake route?Map: Contra Costa Animal Services Martinez Shelter
Use this map for location planning. Call first for Sunday/Monday visits, owner surrender, sick/injured intake, or a specific Animal ID.
Official Contra Costa Animal Links
The important details are summarized above. Use these links for live availability, forms, fees and final verification.
Contra Costa County Martinez Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the Contra Costa County Martinez Animal Shelter phone number?
The main desk and 24-hour emergency number listed for the Martinez Shelter is 925-608-8400.
Where is Contra Costa County Animal Services in Martinez?
The Martinez Shelter is listed at 4800 Imhoff Place, Martinez, CA 94553.
What are the Martinez Animal Shelter hours?
The current contact page lists Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Wednesday from 10am to 7pm. Because some county directory and FAQ pages still show older Sunday/Monday closure language, call 925-608-8400 before relying on Sunday or Monday access.
When are final shelter transactions due?
CCAS asks the public and transfer partners to be at the front counter no later than 30 minutes before closing: 4:30pm on regular 5pm days and 6:30pm on Wednesday.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from Contra Costa Animal Services?
Official adoption fees list puppies under six months at $155, dogs six months to under six years at $135, and dogs six years and older at $85. Senior citizens over 65 adopting cats or dogs over six years pay $5.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat from Contra Costa Animal Services?
Official adoption fees list kittens under four months at $120, cats four months to under six years at $100, and cats over six years at $55. Senior citizens over 65 adopting cats or dogs over six years pay $5.
Are adopted animals spayed or neutered?
Yes. The official adoption-fee page says all dogs, cats and rabbits must be spayed or neutered before adoption.
How long are impounded animals held at Contra Costa Animal Services?
The lost/found page says impounded animals are held a minimum of three business days, extended to five business days with some form of identification, and ten business days with a current Contra Costa County license tag.
Who should I call for a sick or injured animal in Contra Costa County?
If the animal is in the CCAS service area, call 925-608-8400. CCAS says it serves 18 of the 19 cities in the county and the unincorporated areas, excluding Antioch.
Does Contra Costa County require dog licensing?
Yes. The licensing page says dogs over four months old in Contra Costa County must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed by the age of five months.
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.
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.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
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.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
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.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.