Ridgecrest Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Ridgecrest Animal Shelter is operated and staffed by the City of Ridgecrest and Ridgecrest Police Department. The public shelter is at 411 San Bernardino Boulevard, Ridgecrest, CA 93555. It handles adoptions, lost and impounded animals, dog licensing, community spay/neuter assistance and other animal-service needs in this high-desert community.
Public shelter hours: Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.. The shelter is closed Sundays, Mondays and City holidays. If one particular animal has already caught your heart, call before making the trip—the shelter’s current adoption policy uses an appointment-first process.
Verified September 23, 2026
Address, current hours, department phone numbers, Police emergency guidance, Mary Stage’s supervisor role, spay/neuter assistance, service-area routing and the latest City fee schedule located during this update were checked against government or shelter-controlled sources.
City + Police-operated shelter
This is not a private humane society. The City of Ridgecrest says the City and Ridgecrest Police Department run and staff the Animal Shelter.
Independent guide
Animal-Shelter.org is not the City of Ridgecrest, Ridgecrest Police Department, Kern County Animal Services, San Bernardino County Animal Care or Kern County Public Health.
Start With the Right Ridgecrest Animal Service
Shelter services and Animal Control field response are related, but the current Kern County jurisdiction directory publishes separate Ridgecrest numbers for them.
Ridgecrest Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
The current Ridgecrest Animal Control staff directory lists the following shelter hours. If your visit depends on one specific pet, an owner surrender, a reclaim or an adoption appointment, call before driving.
| Day | Current listed hours | Visitor note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Do not plan a normal public shelter visit. |
| Tuesday | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Call first if you need one specific animal. |
| Wednesday | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Public shelter service day. |
| Thursday | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Allow time for adoption approval steps. |
| Friday | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Last weekday public shelter day. |
| Saturday | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Weekend public window; call if your adoption is appointment-dependent. |
| Sunday | Closed | No normal public shelter hours. |
| City holidays | Closed | Use Police/emergency routing only when appropriate. |
How Ridgecrest Animal Shelter Adoption Currently Works
The City’s adoption page currently embeds the adoption tool rather than publishing the full process in normal page text. The shelter’s current Petfinder profile provides a detailed Ridgecrest Animal Care & Control adoption policy. The steps below are based on that shelter profile and should still be confirmed by phone before visiting.
Call for an adoption appointment
The current shelter Petfinder profile tells adopters to call 760-499-5190 for an appointment and further instructions.
If adopting a dog, plan for resident-dog introductions
The shelter profile says applicants who already have dogs may be asked to bring them for a meet-and-greet in the shelter play yard.
Renters should expect landlord verification
The current adoption policy says the shelter may contact the landlord to confirm that a pet is allowed.
Be prepared for a home or yard check
Ridgecrest’s shelter profile says staff may conduct a home check for cat applicants and a yard check for dog applicants.
Complete approval and adoption paperwork
After approval, the shelter directs adopters back to the facility to sign the adoption agreement and pay applicable fees.
Spay/neuter timing can affect pickup
If an animal is already altered, the profile says it may be able to go home after approval. If surgery is still needed, the shelter coordinates an appointment with a local veterinarian and tells the adopter when pickup can occur.
Ridgecrest Animal Shelter Adoption Fees
The newest City animal-control fee schedule located in the official public archive during this check is labeled Fiscal Year 2025–2026. Because this page is being updated in September 2026 and a newer FY2026–27 animal-control fee table was not found in the indexed City sources reviewed, treat these amounts as the latest official schedule located—not a promise of today’s final total. Confirm all charges directly with the shelter before payment.
| Adoption component | Latest City amount located | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Dog base adoption fee | $20 | This is the listed base adoption component, not necessarily the final dog-adoption total. |
| Dog adoption microchip | $10 | Listed separately in the adoption-fee section. |
| Dog license component | $10 | Listed in the dog-adoption fee section; regular dog-license prices are shown separately below. |
| Dog rabies vaccination | Set by veterinarian | No fixed City amount is published in the fee schedule. |
| Dog spay/neuter | Set by veterinarian | Final total can vary. |
| Cat base adoption fee | $20 | Additional medical/microchip costs may apply. |
| Cat adoption microchip | $10 | Listed separately in the City schedule. |
| Cat rabies vaccination | Set by veterinarian | Confirm the amount for the individual adoption. |
| Cat spay/neuter | Set by veterinarian | Surgery timing may affect when the animal goes home. |
Emergency & Important Ridgecrest Contacts
These numbers have different purposes. A routine stray-animal call should not be routed the same way as a vicious animal actively threatening people.
| Contact | Number | Verified purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Ridgecrest Animal Shelter / Shelter Services | 760-499-5190 | Adoptions, lost pets, intake, shelter questions, licensing and general shelter services. |
| Ridgecrest Animal Control — Field Services | 760-499-5108 | Current Kern County jurisdiction page lists this number for field matters including animal bites, injured/ill animals, strays, barking/noise complaints, suspected abuse or neglect, and dead animals inside Ridgecrest city limits. |
| Ridgecrest Police Business / Non-Emergency | 760-499-5100 | Police business/non-emergency line. The City’s 911 guidance directs non-dangerous loose-animal questions away from 911 and to the Police business line. |
| Emergency | 911 | Ridgecrest Police specifically lists vicious, uncontained animals displaying behavior dangerous to children, older adults or the general public among situations where 911 may be appropriate. |
| Kern County Public Health — Ridgecrest / Rabies Questions | 661-321-3000 | General Kern County Public Health number serving its Ridgecrest office at 400 N China Lake Blvd. Use for public-health/rabies guidance when appropriate. Animal incidents should also be reported through the correct Animal Control / Police route. |
Lost or Found Pet in Ridgecrest
In a desert community, distance and heat can make a missing-pet situation feel urgent very quickly. Start the official search early rather than waiting overnight.
File a missing-animal report
Ridgecrest’s Citizen Request Tracker currently includes a dedicated Missing Animal form.
Check available shelter animals
The City provides an official “Ridgecrest Animal Shelter — Available Pets” access link. Check repeatedly because shelter inventory changes.
Call the shelter
Call 760-499-5190 with species, color, sex, markings, collar, microchip information and last-seen location.
If your pet is missing
- Search the City’s available-pets listing and shelter profile.
- File the official Missing Animal request.
- Update the microchip company with your current phone number.
- Search shade, garages, yards and quiet hiding areas nearby.
- Prepare recent photos, veterinary records, license information and proof of ownership.
- Re-check after shelter opening because new intakes can appear later.
If you found a loose animal
- Do not approach an aggressive or dangerously injured animal.
- Check for visible identification only when safe.
- Ridgecrest’s request system has Stray Animal / Stray Dog forms.
- Field-service routing is listed at 760-499-5108.
- For an immediate human-safety threat, use 911.
Impound & Reclaim Fee Planning
The latest official City fee schedule located during this update is FY2025–26. It shows that reclaim cost depends on licensing status, repeat impounds and boarding. Confirm the actual 2026 total before arriving.
| Dog impound category | Latest amount located | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| 1st impound — current license | $40 | Boarding and other required charges may be additional. |
| 1st impound — no license | $55 | Licensing/rabies compliance can affect release. |
| 2nd impound — current license | $70 | Repeat impounds cost more. |
| 2nd impound — no license | $75 | Ask the shelter for the complete release total. |
| 3rd impound — current license | $100 | Additional ordinance consequences may apply. |
| 3rd impound — no license | $105 | Final release requirements should be confirmed directly. |
| Boarding | $10/night | Added to the impound charge. |
| After-hours impound — up to 2 hours | $100 | The schedule says longer call-outs are calculated using the fully burdened overtime rate. |
Owner Surrender & Pet Placement Options
Before surrendering a pet, call first. Ridgecrest Animal Control also lists a Pet Placement Program designed to help place some animals before they enter the shelter.
Latest owner drop-off fee located
The FY2025–26 City fee schedule lists $60 for an owner animal drop-off / relinquished animal.
Pet Placement Program
The City lists a program for animals needing homes before entering the shelter, along with requests for certain pets wanted by potential homes.
Confirm space and procedure
The public service page does not publish a guaranteed same-day owner-surrender appointment schedule. Call 760-499-5190 before transporting an owned pet.
Ridgecrest Dog Licensing Fees
Ridgecrest maintains a municipal dog-licensing system. The latest official fee schedule located during this update lists different prices for altered and unaltered (“natural”) dogs.
| License term | Altered dog | Natural / unaltered dog |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $15 | $60 |
| 2 years | $22 | $120 |
| 3 years | $30 | $180 |
| Vicious dog license | — | $150/year |
Community Spay & Neuter Assistance
Ridgecrest Animal Control explicitly lists Community Spay and Neuter Assistance as one of its services. The City describes it as financial help for community members having their pets spayed or neutered.
Financial assistance
The official service page confirms assistance exists, but it does not publish one universal subsidy amount or income table.
Surgery prices are veterinarian-set
The latest City fee schedule lists dog and cat spay/neuter charges as “Set By Vet.” A current fixed public surgery fee should therefore not be invented.
Ask Mary Stage / Animal Control
The City directs questions about Animal Control services to Supervisor Mary Stage at 760-499-5190.
Other Ridgecrest Animal Shelter Services
Educational programs
Ridgecrest Animal Control says it visits schools to teach bite prevention, responsible ownership and spay/neuter awareness.
Pet placement
The City lists animals needing homes before shelter entry and may also list specific types of pets wanted by homes.
Shelter tours
The City’s service page says shelter tours are available to help the community understand the shelter environment.
Public microchips
The latest official fee schedule located lists a voluntary/public microchip at $35. Confirm before visiting or paying.
Veterinary Hospital, Doctor & Appointment Clarification
No public shelter veterinary hospital verified
Current City sources do not describe Ridgecrest Animal Shelter as a full-service public veterinary hospital or veterinary clinic.
No named shelter veterinarian published
The official City Animal Control pages do not publish a named veterinarian with public appointment hours. This guide therefore does not invent a doctor name, consultation fee or clinic schedule.
Shelter coordinates outside surgery
The shelter’s current adoption profile says animals needing sterilization may be scheduled with a local veterinarian, who then contacts the adopter when surgery is complete.
VeterinaryCare,
VeterinaryClinic
or Hospital entity.
Animal Bites & Rabies Help in Ridgecrest
Animal bites are part of Ridgecrest Animal Control field work. The current Kern County Animal Services jurisdiction page specifically includes animal bites among Ridgecrest field-service calls.
Report the animal incident
Ridgecrest field Animal Control is currently listed at 760-499-5108.
Kern County Public Health
Kern County Public Health operates a Ridgecrest office at 400 N China Lake Blvd and uses 661-321-3000 as its Public Health contact number.
Serious active threat
Ridgecrest Police says 911 is appropriate for a vicious, uncontained animal displaying behavior dangerous to people.
Ridgecrest City Limits vs. Surrounding Desert Communities
This is a particularly important local detail. The Ridgecrest shelter is City/Police-operated, but other government agencies also route animals to the facility from surrounding desert areas.
Inside Ridgecrest city limits
Kern County Animal Services’ current jurisdiction page lists:
- Shelter Services: 760-499-5190
- Field Services: 760-499-5108
- Licensing: 760-499-5190
Trona-area / unincorporated San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County Animal Care currently lists Ridgecrest Animal Shelter as the housing shelter for its Trona-area service communities including Argus, Pioneer Point and Trona, plus a listed unincorporated Ridgecrest service area.
That does not mean Ridgecrest City Animal Control automatically handles every field call there. Use the government agency serving the exact incident address.
Donations: Do Not Confuse the Physical and Mailing Addresses
Ridgecrest’s official Animal Control page currently publishes two different address uses. This is worth explaining so visitors do not navigate to the wrong place.
Physical shelter address
411 San Bernardino Boulevard
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Use this address for normal shelter navigation.
Donation mailing address shown by City
The current City Animal Control page tells donors mailing checks to use:
Ridgecrest Animal Shelter
411 County Line Road
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Do not substitute this mailing address for the physical shelter address when navigating.
Ridgecrest Animal Shelter Leadership
Mary Stage
The current City Animal Control directory lists Mary Stage as Supervisor.
Service questions are directed to 760-499-5190 and the City publishes mstage@ridgecrest-ca.gov on the Animal Control services page.
Ridgecrest Police Department
The City states that Ridgecrest Police Department and the City run and staff the shelter. The current Police Chief listed by the City is Mario Ysit.
Police business line: 760-499-5100.
Other California Animal Shelter Guides
If you are comparing California shelter systems or your pet may have moved well outside the Ridgecrest area, these existing Animal-Shelter.org guides may also help: Inland Valley Animal Shelter , Baldwin Park Animal Shelter , Downey Animal Shelter , and Los Angeles Animal Shelter . These are different jurisdictions with different fees, service boundaries and emergency routes.
Map: Ridgecrest Animal Shelter
Physical shelter: 411 San Bernardino Boulevard, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 . Use this address for shelter navigation—not the separate donation mailing address.
Official Ridgecrest & Government Resources
Use these sources for the final live check before adopting, reclaiming, paying a fee, reporting an animal concern or transporting a stray.
Ridgecrest Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Ridgecrest Animal Shelter?
The physical shelter is at 411 San Bernardino Boulevard, Ridgecrest, CA 93555.
What is the Ridgecrest Animal Shelter phone number?
Shelter services, licensing and adoption questions use 760-499-5190.
What is the Ridgecrest Animal Control field-service number?
Kern County Animal Services currently lists 760-499-5108 for Ridgecrest field services inside city limits, including animal bites, loose animals, injured animals, barking/noise complaints, suspected cruelty or neglect and dead animals.
What are Ridgecrest Animal Shelter hours?
Current City directory hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shelter is closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays.
Do I need an appointment to adopt from Ridgecrest Animal Shelter?
The shelter’s current Petfinder adoption policy tells adopters to call 760-499-5190 for an appointment and further instructions.
What happens if I already have a dog?
The current shelter Petfinder adoption policy says dog applicants with resident dogs may be asked to bring them for a meet-and-greet in the shelter play yard.
Does Ridgecrest Animal Shelter check rental approval?
The shelter’s current Petfinder profile says staff may call the landlord to verify that the applicant is allowed to have a pet.
How much is the Ridgecrest adoption fee?
The latest City fee schedule located during this check, labeled FY2025–26, lists a $20 base dog adoption fee and $20 base cat adoption fee. Dogs also show separate license and microchip components, and rabies/spay-neuter charges may be veterinarian-set. Confirm the current final total with the shelter before paying.
How much is a public microchip?
The latest official City schedule located lists voluntary/public microchipping at $35. Confirm the current amount before visiting.
Does Ridgecrest offer spay/neuter assistance?
Yes. The official Animal Control services page lists Community Spay and Neuter Assistance as financial help for community members having their pets sterilized.
Does Ridgecrest Animal Shelter have a veterinary hospital?
Current City sources do not identify Ridgecrest Animal Shelter as a public full-service veterinary hospital or clinic. The shelter may coordinate spay/neuter surgery with local veterinarians for adopted animals.
Who supervises Ridgecrest Animal Shelter?
The current City Animal Control directory lists Mary Stage as Supervisor.
What number do I call for a dangerous loose animal?
Ridgecrest Police says 911 may be appropriate for a vicious, uncontained animal displaying behavior dangerous to people. For ordinary field Animal Control calls, use 760-499-5108.
What is the Ridgecrest Police non-emergency number?
The Ridgecrest Police Department business/non-emergency phone number is 760-499-5100.
Who should I contact about rabies questions in Ridgecrest?
Report the animal incident through the appropriate Ridgecrest Animal Control or Police route. Kern County Public Health’s Ridgecrest office is at 400 N China Lake Blvd and uses 661-321-3000 for Public Health contact.
Does Ridgecrest Animal Shelter also receive animals from the Trona area?
San Bernardino County Animal Care currently lists Ridgecrest Animal Shelter as the housing shelter for several Trona-area unincorporated communities. Field-service jurisdiction should still be confirmed with the government agency serving the actual incident address.
Why does the City list 411 County Line Road in some shelter information?
The current City Animal Control page uses 411 San Bernardino Boulevard as the shelter’s physical location, but gives 411 County Line Road as the mailing address for donation checks.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Ridgecrest government website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide. Use official City of Ridgecrest and applicable county sources for same-day instructions and live policy changes.
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.