Martinez Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

Official location

4800 Imhoff Place, Martinez, CA 94553.

This is the Martinez Shelter for Contra Costa Animal Services.

Main phone

925-608-8400.

Use this number for general questions, available pets, dispatch routing and 24-hour emergency animal reports.

Hours

Official contact page lists 10 AM–5 PM most days and Wednesday 10 AM–7 PM.

Final transactions: 30 minutes before closing.

Service area

CCAS provides animal control and sheltering for 18 of 19 Contra Costa County cities and unincorporated areas, excluding Antioch.

Contra Costa Animal Services

Use this name when searching official county pages, adoption policies, available animals, field services and licensing.

Martinez Animal Shelter

Most visitors use this phrase when they need the shelter address, pet adoption, lost-pet search, reclaim help or map directions.

Martinez Animal Control

For field-services issues, use CCAS dispatch at 925-608-8400. The county handles animal-control calls for many areas, but Antioch has a separate animal-services route.

Dogs, cats and other animals

Available animals may be at the Martinez shelter or in foster care. Dogs, cats, working cats and other animals are listed through official county adoption links and 24PetConnect.

Bites, strays and enforcement

Field services can involve animal bites, aggressive animals, endangered animals, rabies concerns, noisy animals, deceased animals and animal-law enforcement.

Keeping pets in homes

County programs include keeping-your-pet resources, licensing, spay/neuter and vaccination services, surrender guidance, and lost/found support.

Dog and puppy fees

• Puppies under 6 months: listed at $155.
• Dogs 6 months to under 6 years: listed at $135.
• Dogs 6 years and older: listed at $85.
• Cats and dogs over 6 years adopted by senior citizens over 65: listed at $5.

Cat and kitten fees

• Kittens under 4 months: listed at $120.
• Cats 4 months to under 6 years: listed at $100.
• Cats over 6 years: listed at $55.
• Working cat options may be listed separately through official available-animal pages.

Rabbit and small animal fees

• Rabbits: listed at $25.
• Guinea pigs: listed at $10.
• Hamsters and mice: listed at $5.
• Other animals may be set by director or sealed bid process.

Available dogs

Use the official dogs listing and write down the animal ID. Ask about health, behavior, exercise needs, other pets and first-week decompression.

Available cats

Ask whether the cat is shy, social, bonded, litter trained, better with adults, good with other pets or better as a working cat.

Rabbits and small pets

Ask about enclosure size, diet, hay, safe handling, vet care, bedding, temperature and enrichment before adopting small animals.

Foster animals

If a pet is in foster care, same-day meeting may not be possible. Read the listing and call before driving.

Use 925-608-8400

Use the dispatch line for animal bites, endangered animals, aggressive animals, injured animals, stray animals and emergency welfare issues.

Noisy or deceased animals

The county allows some activity reports online, such as noisy animals and deceased animal reports, but not bites, injured animals or stray animals.

Sick or injured wildlife

The county points sick and injured wildlife calls to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at 707-415-6126.

If your pet is missing

• Search official CCAS lost-pet listings repeatedly.
• File a lost pet report with a clear face and body photo.
• Search pets found by the public, not only pets inside the shelter.
• Use Petco Love’s facial recognition search if helpful.
• Bring proof of ownership if your pet is located: photos, vet records, microchip packet or other records.
• Bring valid photo ID and payment for reclaim-related fees.

If you found an animal

• Assume the animal is someone’s lost pet.
• Check collar and ID tags first.
• Use license tag lookup if the pet has a Contra Costa County license tag.
• Take the animal to a local vet or shelter for microchip scanning if safe.
• Upload a photo to lost-pet search platforms and check local reports.
• For sick, injured, aggressive or stray animals in CCAS service area, call 925-608-8400.

Before surrendering

• Read the official surrender page first.
• Prepare proof of Contra Costa County residency.
• Explain public safety, bite risk, severe behavior, severe medical need or hoarding concerns clearly if present.
• Ask about keeping-your-pet resources before surrendering.
• Try rehoming resources if safe and realistic.
• Call 925-608-8400 if there is an exceptional urgent circumstance.

Set the pet up for success

• Vaccinate before surrender if the shelter advises it.
• Bring medical records and behavior notes.
• Be honest about bites, fear, reactivity, medications and escape history.
• Ask whether spay/neuter before surrender could help the animal go home faster after adoption.
• Do not abandon an animal outside the shelter or after hours.
• Understand that capacity limits may lead to a wait list or alternate arrangements.

Licensing

Contra Costa County licensing depends on rabies vaccination expiration and whether the pet is altered. License tags can help with lost-pet recovery.

Vaccination clinic

County service pages list spay/neuter and vaccination clinic services. Confirm appointment rules and Saturday clinic timing before going.

Microchip

CCAS policy is to microchip animals before they leave the shelter. Keep registration and contact information updated after adoption.

Photo ID

Bring a driver’s license, passport or other valid photo ID for adoption, reclaim or official service steps.

Payment method

For reclaim and fees, the county mentions cash, preprinted check, Visa or MasterCard, with card/check holder present and valid ID.

Proof of ownership

For lost-pet reclaim, bring photos, vet records, microchip documents, adoption papers or other proof.

Dog transport

Bring a leash and collar or harness for dogs. Plan a safe vehicle setup and avoid mixing a new dog with resident pets in the car.

Cat carrier

Bring a secure kennel or carrier for cats and small animals. Do not transport a loose cat in a vehicle.

Enough time

Adoptions can take two hours or more. Arrive early and be at the front counter at least 30 minutes before closing.

First 24 hours

• Keep the new pet in a quiet starter space.
• Do not invite visitors over immediately.
• Do not force dog-to-dog or cat-to-dog introductions.
• Keep leash, carrier, crate or door management ready.
• Save all paperwork, microchip records and medical instructions.

Days 2–7

• Use a consistent feeding, potty, walk and rest routine.
• Use the free physical exam window within 72 hours if applicable and available.
• Watch for coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, limping, appetite loss or serious anxiety.
• Use cat or dog adoption support resources if behavior issues appear.
• Contact the shelter before making return decisions within the get-acquainted period.

Arrive early

Adoptions, reclaim and final transactions should not be started close to closing.

Bring animal ID

If calling about a pet online, have the animal ID ready so staff can find the record faster.

Check service area

If the animal was found in Antioch, use Antioch Animal Services rather than the Martinez shelter route.

Before adoption

• Do not arrive near closing and expect a full adoption process.
• Do not assume an online application holds the animal.
• Do not forget that in-person adopters get priority.
• Do not skip the animal ID when calling.
• Do not bring resident pets in the same vehicle space as a new adopted pet.

Before reporting or surrendering

• Do not use online forms for bites, injured animals, aggressive animals or strays.
• Do not bring Antioch-found animals to the wrong route.
• Do not surrender without checking case-by-case limits and residency proof.
• Do not assume friendly adult community cats will be sheltered; TNR may be the route.
• Do not wait on routine online forms for immediate public-safety issues.