Salinas Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this page like a Salinas animal-help dashboard. The City of Salinas animal shelter route now points to Hitchcock Road Animal Services, the joint animal services agency serving Salinas and Monterey County sheltering needs.
Verified planning note: adoption hours are Tuesday-Saturday 1pm-4pm. Licensing, stray animal drop-off, owner redemption and donation drop-off are Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Field Services are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- City of Salinas vs county route
- Who to call first
- Adoption and service hours
- Adoption fees
- Adoption micro-steps
- Lost and found pets
- Found pet rules
- Owner redemption
- Field Services / Animal Control
- Dog and cat licensing
- Cats, kittens and community cats
- Impound and trap fees
- Donate, foster and volunteer
- Before you leave home
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable Salinas Animal Shelter Help Cards
Tap the action that matches your situation. Each card uses an official route or direct phone step.
Is This the City of Salinas Animal Shelter?
Yes for practical shelter use: the City of Salinas and County of Monterey merged animal services through a Joint Powers Agreement, creating Hitchcock Road Animal Services.
City + County agency
Official pages say the County of Monterey and City of Salinas formally merged Animal Services in 2023 through a Joint Powers Agreement.
One shelter site
Animals needing sheltering are brought to Animal Services at 160 Hitchcock Road in Salinas.
Field Services area
Field Services serve unincorporated Monterey County and the City of Salinas. Some other contract cities have their own field services but bring shelter animals to Hitchcock Road.
Who to Call First
Use this table before driving, submitting a report, bringing in a found pet or trying to redeem your animal.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet | 831-769-8850 or Adopt a Pet | “I want to adopt [pet name/ID]. Is this animal still available?” | Visit during Tuesday-Saturday 1pm-4pm adoption hours. |
| Lost pet may be at shelter | 831-769-8850 | “My pet is missing near [cross streets]. Is a matching animal at Hitchcock Road?” | Check pet search and go verify in person quickly. |
| Found a pet and can hold temporarily | Found Pet Form | Report location, photo, species, collar/tag and your contact details. | Do not alter appearance or rehome immediately. |
| Stray animal drop-off | 831-769-8850 | “I found a stray [dog/cat/other] at [location]. Can I bring it during drop-off hours?” | Drop-off services are listed Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. |
| Animal Control / Field Services | 831-769-8856 | “I need Field Services for [bite/loose dog/injured animal/nuisance] at [location].” | Field Services are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. |
| After-hours issue | 831-758-7696 | “This is an after-hours animal issue in [location].” | Official page notes no officers are on duty after hours. |
| Dog licensing | 1-877-239-6072 | “I need Salinas dog licensing help.” | Have rabies proof and spay/neuter proof ready. |
| Excessive animals in Salinas | 831-758-7157 | “I need City of Salinas Code Enforcement for animal-number/use questions.” | Use this for allowable use or excessive-animal code questions. |
Salinas Animal Shelter Adoption Hours and Service Hours
The shelter has separate windows for adoptions, licensing, stray drop-off, redemption and Field Services.
| Service | Official listed schedule | What it means | Best action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adoptions | Tuesday-Saturday 1pm-4pm | Public adoption window. | Check pet search first, then arrive early in the window. |
| Licensing | Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm | In-person licensing support at Hitchcock Road. | Bring rabies proof and spay/neuter proof for discounted rate. |
| Stray animal drop-off | Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm | Drop-off window for animals needing sheltering. | Call first if the animal is injured, aggressive or special species. |
| Owner redemption | Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm | Pick-up/redeem window for owners reclaiming pets. | Bring ID, ownership proof and fee/payment readiness. |
| Donation drop-off | Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm | Drop-off window for shelter donation items. | Use official Get Involved page for current needs. |
| Field Services | Monday-Friday 8am-5pm | Animal Control Officers for City of Salinas and unincorporated Monterey County. | Call 831-769-8856 or use complaint form. |
| After hours | 831-758-7696 | After-hours contact listed, but no officers are on duty. | For immediate human emergency, use emergency services. |
Salinas / Hitchcock Road Adoption Fees
Official adoption fees vary by pet type and include core medical items. Dog licensing fees are not included.
| Pet type | Official fee | Included care | Ask before adopting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | $328 | Spay/neuter surgery, DHPP vaccine, rabies vaccine, microchip and goodie bag. | Dog license cost, behavior notes, dog-to-dog fit, energy level and first-week plan. |
| Cat | $213 | Spay/neuter surgery, FVRCP vaccine, rabies vaccine, microchip and goodie bag. | Litter habits, room setup, other-pet history and vaccine dates. |
| Rabbit | $101 | Core adoption preparation listed by shelter. | Housing, diet, handling, spay/neuter status and rabbit-savvy vet care. |
| Other animals | $74 | Adoption preparation varies by species. | Enclosure, food, handling and species-specific care. |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Follow this order so your visit is practical and respectful of shelter health rules.
Check current pets first
Open the official pet search page and screenshot the pet name, animal ID, species, photo and status.
Visit during adoption hours
In-person adoption hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 1pm-4pm. Do not plan an adoption during only drop-off/redemption hours.
Respect kennel health rules
The adoption page asks visitors not to put hands in kennels. If you must touch a nose, sanitize before moving on.
Ask if your current dog should meet
If adopting a dog and you have one at home, ask staff what dog-to-dog process is safest.
Budget beyond adoption fee
Plan for dog licensing, food, supplies, training, pet deposit, parasite prevention and your first regular vet visit.
Ask final care questions
Before leaving, ask about vaccine dates, microchip, spay/neuter, rabies certificate, behavior notes and goodie-bag contents.
Lost or Found Pets in Salinas
Hitchcock Road holds stray animals to give owners a chance to find them. Act quickly because the minimum hold is measured in business days.
If your pet is lost
- Search the official Hitchcock Road pet search page immediately.
- Call 831-769-8850 if you think your animal is at the shelter.
- Go to the shelter to verify your animal as soon as possible.
- Update your pet’s microchip company with your current phone and address.
- If your dog is licensed, make sure licensing contact information is current.
- Post a clear photo, cross streets and contact details in local lost/found groups.
- Walk the area where the pet was lost; check garages, sheds, porches, fields, parks and neighbor yards.
- Make flyers for veterinary clinics, groomers, pet stores and nearby businesses.
If you found a pet
- Check for a collar, ID tag, phone number or license tag.
- If safe, have the animal scanned for a microchip.
- File the official Found Pet Form if you plan to hold the pet at home.
- Take a full-body landscape photo in good lighting for the found report.
- Do not shave, spay/neuter, alter appearance or immediately rehome the pet.
- If the animal needs medical attention, contact the shelter.
- For legal adoption, bring the animal to the shelter and adopt after the legal stray period if eligible.
- Notify the shelter if the owner is found so the record can be updated.
Found Pet Rules: Do Not Rehome Too Fast
The official Found Pet Form includes several practical rules that protect the owner’s chance to identify the animal.
Use a good photo
Take a landscape photo, not portrait, and include the full body of the animal in good light.
Do not alter appearance
Do not shave, spay/neuter or otherwise alter the animal while trying to locate the owner.
Do not immediately rehome
If you want to adopt a found pet legally, the official route is to bring it to the shelter and adopt after it serves the legal stray period.
Owner Redemption: Reclaim Your Pet
If your pet may be at Hitchcock Road, contact the shelter immediately and bring proof.
Call first
Call 831-769-8850 and say you believe your animal is at the shelter.
Bring photo ID
Bring a government-issued photo ID matching your ownership/contact information if possible.
Bring ownership proof
Use photos, veterinary records, microchip records, license record or adoption paperwork.
Rabies proof helps
Bring current rabies certificate or veterinary record if available.
Ask exact fees
Fees may include impound, boarding, vaccination, licensing or related service fees.
Update records
After reclaim, update the pet license and microchip so future reunions happen faster.
Field Services / Animal Control for Salinas
Use Field Services for animal-control problems in the City of Salinas and unincorporated Monterey County areas.
| Issue | Official route | What to provide | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stray dog pickup | 831-769-8856 | Exact location, dog description, direction of travel, safety risk. | Field Services list stray/loose dog pickup as a service. |
| Animal bite / quarantine | 831-769-8856 | Victim details, animal description, owner info if known, medical urgency. | Animal bite investigation/quarantine is listed as a field service. |
| Injured or aggressive animal | 831-769-8856 | Species, injury/aggression details, safe access point. | Do not handle unsafe animals. |
| Barking dogs / nuisance | Online complaint form | Your contact info, address, dates, times, description. | Anonymous complaints are not processed. |
| Habitual dogs running loose | Online complaint form | Repeated dates, address, photos/video if safely obtained. | Usually follow-up is 3-5 business days depending on situation. |
| Animal feces complaint | Online complaint form | Location, pattern, owner info if known. | Use non-emergency complaint process. |
| Feral/community cat concern | Online complaint form / cat resources | Location, colony details, immediate danger if any. | Healthy roaming cats may not need shelter intake. |
| Dead animal on public property in Salinas | Animal complaint route | Exact public location and animal type. | County page lists dead animals on public property in City of Salinas. |
Salinas Dog Licensing and Cat Licensing
Hitchcock Road uses DocuPet for licensing. Dogs are mandatory; cats are voluntary.
What documents do you need?
- Rabies vaccination proof is required.
- Spay/neuter proof is required to qualify for altered discounted rates.
- Service/guide dog status must be verified in person the first time.
- License can be online, by phone, by mail or in person.
- DocuPet Customer Care is 1-877-239-6072.
City of Salinas license fees
| License | 1 year | 2 year | 3 year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altered dog | $24 | $36 | $49 |
| Unaltered dog | $66 | $83 | $109 |
| Altered dog, senior 60+ owner | $14 | $14 | $14 |
| Altered cat, voluntary | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Unaltered cat, voluntary | $11 | $11 | $11 |
A $36 late fee may apply 30 days after expiration; replacement tag is listed as $5.
Cats, Kittens and Community Cats
Official cat guidance is more nuanced than “take every cat to the shelter.”
Healthy roaming cat
Official cat resources explain that many friendly outdoor cats are indoor/outdoor cats and may not be lost. Roaming is described as legal in Salinas and unincorporated Monterey County.
Healthy kittens
The pet search guidance says if you find a healthy cat or kittens, putting them back where found is often best. Call before moving kittens if they may have a mother nearby.
Sick or injured cat
If a cat needs medical help, contact the shelter or appropriate animal-control route rather than quietly rehoming or altering the animal.
Impound, Trap and Service Fees to Know
These fee-schedule items help owners understand why calling before redeeming is important.
| Fee type | Official amount | Use case | Call-before note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog/cat redemption, 1st impound in 1 year | $48 | Reclaim at shelter | Other fees may also apply. |
| Dog/cat redemption, 2nd impound in 1 year | $59 | Repeat reclaim | Ask for exact total. |
| Dog/cat redemption, 3rd impound in 1 year | $113 | Repeat reclaim | Ask about licensing/rabies needs too. |
| Dog/cat redemption, 4th impound in 1 year | $128 | Repeat reclaim | Exact total can include additional charges. |
| Dog/cat redemption, 5th impound in 1 year | $151 | Repeat reclaim | Call before driving. |
| Other animals / officer time | $123 per hour/officer | Other animal impound or emergency impound | Situation-specific. |
| Cat trap deposit | $125 refundable deposit | Trap rental | Daily rate may apply. |
| Cat trap daily rate | $15 per day | Trap rental, normally one-week maximum with arrangement | Confirm availability and rules. |
| Dog trap deposit | $407 refundable deposit | Trap rental | Use only as instructed. |
| Dog trap daily rate | $22 per day | Trap rental, normally one-week maximum with arrangement | Confirm availability and safety rules. |
Donate, Foster, Volunteer and Pay It Forward
Hitchcock Road has several official help routes beyond adopting.
Pay It Forward
The adoption page links a Pay It Forward Adoption Program for helping future adopters and shelter pets.
Volunteer
Use the official volunteer page for current onboarding. Community service students may not always be accepted, so check first.
Foster
Foster support can help shelter animals that need time, recovery, socialization or space outside the kennel.
Donation drop-off
Donation drop-off is listed during Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm non-adoption hours.
Share pets
Sharing official pet listings helps animals get seen without copying unverified details.
Ask what is needed
Before buying supplies, check official Get Involved pages or call the shelter to avoid donating unusable items.
Before You Leave Home
Pet screenshot, adoption hours check, ID, leash/carrier, dog-license budget, first-week plan.
Recent photo, microchip number, license tag, last-seen location, proof of ownership.
Photo ID, ownership proof, rabies proof, microchip/license records, payment readiness.
Full-body landscape photo, exact found location, collar/tag details, microchip scan plan, Found Pet Form.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I am interested in [pet name/ID] from the pet search page. Is this animal still available, and should I visit during the 1pm-4pm adoption window?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat/other pet] is missing near [cross streets]. Description: [color/sex/collar/microchip/license]. Has a matching animal been brought to Hitchcock Road?Found pet
Hi, I found a [dog/cat/other] at [exact location]. The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive]. I can/cannot hold it. Should I file the Found Pet Form or bring it in?Redemption
Hi, I believe my pet is at the shelter. I have photo ID, ownership proof and rabies/license records. Can you confirm current redemption steps and fees before I come?Field Services
Hi, I need Field Services for [stray dog/bite/injured animal/barking/loose dog/abandoned animal] at [location]. The animal is [description], and the safety issue is [details].Licensing
Hi, I need to license my dog in Salinas. I have rabies proof and [spay/neuter proof if applicable]. What is the fastest way to complete the license?Map: Hitchcock Road Animal Services
Use this map for the Salinas shelter location. Call first for time-sensitive adoption, redemption, stray drop-off or Field Services questions.
Official Salinas Animal Shelter Links
The key details are summarized above. Use these official pages for live pet status, forms, fees, licensing and final verification.
Salinas Animal Shelter FAQ
What animal shelter serves Salinas?
Salinas animal sheltering is served by Hitchcock Road Animal Services, created through the County of Monterey and City of Salinas animal-services structure.
Where is the Salinas animal shelter located?
Hitchcock Road Animal Services is located at 160 Hitchcock Road, Salinas, CA. Official pages show the address with Salinas ZIP formatting that may vary, so use the map or call before mailing or time-sensitive travel.
What is the Salinas animal shelter phone number?
The main Hitchcock Road Animal Services phone number is 831-769-8850.
What are Salinas animal shelter adoption hours?
Official pages list adoption hours as Tuesday through Saturday from 1pm to 4pm.
What are non-adoption service hours?
Licensing, stray animal drop-off, owner redemption and donation drop-off are listed Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
What is the Animal Control phone number for Salinas?
Field Services direct line is 831-769-8856 for animal-control issues in the City of Salinas and unincorporated Monterey County service areas.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog in Salinas?
The official Hitchcock Road adoption page lists dog adoption at $328. Dog licensing fees are not included.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat in Salinas?
The official Hitchcock Road adoption page lists cat adoption at $213.
What is included in Hitchcock Road adoption fees?
Adoption fees include spay/neuter surgery, FVRCP or DHPP vaccine, rabies vaccine, microchip and a goodie bag. Dog licensing fees are not included.
How long are stray animals held at Hitchcock Road?
Official sheltering pages say animals brought to Animal Services are held for a minimum of 3 business days in hopes their owner comes for them.
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.