Santa Clara Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this page as a Santa Clara animal-help dashboard. It separates adoption, lost-pet reclaim, found animals, animal-control complaints, dog/cat licensing, surrender, foster, low-cost services, and the County-versus-City service-area confusion.
Fast routing: for the City of Santa Clara, the correct shelter/control route is usually Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority at 3370 Thomas Road, Santa Clara, CA 95054, phone 408-764-0344.
Official-source checked
Last verified: August 30, 2026. This guide uses SVACA official pages, City of Santa Clara service-directory/contact pages, and live Animal-Shelter.org internal resources.
Yoast-safe article body
This HTML starts with an H2 and does not add duplicate BreadcrumbList, WebPage, WebSite, publisher, author or Article schema inside the post body.
Independent guide
Animal-Shelter.org is not SVACA, the City of Santa Clara, Santa Clara County, Humane Society Silicon Valley, or a government office.
Clickable Santa Clara Animal Help Cards
Tap the action that matches your real need. Adoption, reclaim, stray pickup, animal bite, licensing, and surrender do not always use the same timing or workflow.
Santa Clara City vs Santa Clara County: Do Not Call the Wrong Shelter
This is the biggest search-intent gap. “Santa Clara animal shelter” can mean the City of Santa Clara route, the County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center, or another city’s shelter.
| Your situation | Likely route | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal issue inside City of Santa Clara | SVACA | SVACA serves Santa Clara for animal care, control, adoption and licensing. | “This happened in Santa Clara. Should I call SVACA, police dispatch, or use the online report?” |
| Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno or Mountain View | SVACA | These are SVACA member communities listed on SVACA pages. | “This animal was found in [city]. Can SVACA receive or pick it up?” |
| San Jose, Milpitas, Saratoga or Cupertino | San Jose Animal Services route | SVACA lists San Jose Animal Services for those jurisdictions. | “Which agency holds stray animals found in this city?” |
| Sunnyvale | Sunnyvale Animal Services route | SVACA lists Sunnyvale separately from SVACA member cities. | “Is this a Sunnyvale Animal Services call or SVACA?” |
| Unincorporated Santa Clara County | Santa Clara County Animal Services | County Animal Services is a different official route and shelter system. | “Is this address in unincorporated county or a city service area?” |
SVACA Hours by Task
Do not rely only on a map listing. SVACA separates adoption, reclaim, licensing, lost/found, field services and stray receiving.
| Task | Official timing | Practical visitor note | Call-first question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adoptions | Daily 12:00 PM-5:00 PM | Walk-ins are welcome, but there may be a wait. | “Is this pet still available and should I submit a survey first?” |
| Adoption appointments | Daily 12:00 PM-5:00 PM | Submit dog, cat or other animal survey to staff@svaca.com if you want an appointment. | “Has my survey been received and do I have an appointment?” |
| Licensing and reclaim | Daily 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | Reclaim can include fees, proof of ownership, license and microchip requirements. | “What exact fees and proof should I bring?” |
| Lost and found | Daily 11:00 AM-5:00 PM | Use 24PetConnect, photos, flyers and direct shelter contact. | “Has a matching animal been brought in or posted?” |
| Field services | Daily including holidays 8:00 AM-7:00 PM | Field officers handle animal-control calls in SVACA cities. | “Is this call urgent enough to dispatch an officer?” |
| Emergency animal-control response | 24 hours a day | After-hours emergencies and injured strays should route through local police department instructions. | “Is this an animal emergency or a non-urgent report?” |
| Stray animal receiving | Daily 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | Applies to SVACA service-area animals; other jurisdictions use other shelters. | “This animal was found at [address]. Can SVACA receive it?” |
Who to Call First
Use this before you drive to Thomas Road, bring a found animal, submit an online complaint, or contact police dispatch.
| Situation | First route | What to say | What not to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a dog, cat, rabbit, bird or small animal | SVACA Adoptions / 408-764-0344 | “I saw [pet name/ID]. Is this pet available, and should I walk in or submit a survey?” | Do not bring your own pets unless SVACA staff instructs you. |
| Lost pet | SVACA Lost & Found and 24PetConnect | “My pet went missing near [street/city]. Has a matching animal been found?” | Do not wait days; start checking immediately. |
| Found dog or domestic animal in a SVACA city | Call SVACA or bring during receiving hours if safe | “I found a [dog/rabbit/bird] at [exact location]. Can SVACA receive or pick it up?” | Do not move the animal across jurisdictions without guidance. |
| Healthy community cat | Email staff@svaca.com first | “I found a healthy community cat in [city]. What is the best course of action?” | Do not assume every outdoor cat should be trapped and impounded. |
| Aggressive animal, bite, injured/sick stray, confined stray | Call 408-764-0344 | “This is an emergency animal issue at [address].” | Do not submit only an online report for listed emergency issues. |
| Barking dog, animal poisoning, fighting animals in Santa Clara | Santa Clara Police/Dispatch 408-615-5580 | “This is a non-emergency dispatch issue involving [details].” | Do not route every noise issue to SVACA; SVACA says it does not investigate animal noise complaints. |
| Immediate human danger | 911 | “There is an immediate safety emergency involving an animal at [address].” | Do not wait for normal business hours. |
Adoption Route: Walk-In or Appointment
SVACA allows walk-ins during adoption hours, but an appointment can reduce uncertainty if you already have a specific pet in mind.
Check current animals
Open SVACA’s adoptable dogs, cats or other animals. Save the animal name, ID and screenshot because listings can change quickly.
Decide walk-in or appointment
Walk-ins are welcome, but if you want an appointment, complete the dog, cat or other animal adoption survey and email it to staff@svaca.com.
Bring the required basics
Adopters must be at least 18 years old and have a government-issued photo ID.
Ask fit questions before paying
Ask about behavior evaluation, medical notes, energy level, kids, cats, dogs, housing limits, training deposit and first-week setup.
Plan the ride home
Bring a carrier for cats/small animals and a leash/collar setup for dogs if instructed. Keep the first 72 hours calm and structured.
SVACA Adoption Fees 2026
These fees are listed on SVACA’s current adoption page. Confirm before paying because promotions, special cases or individual-pet notes can change.
| Animal type | Fee | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Dog | $200 | Ask about behavior notes, training deposit, dog-to-dog needs and housing restrictions. |
| Puppy under 6 months | $375 | Plan for training, socialization, vaccine schedule and puppy-proofing. |
| Cat | $150 | Ask about litter habits, indoor setup, medical notes and cat-to-cat introduction. |
| Kitten under 6 months | $200 | Ask whether the kitten should be adopted with a buddy or needs extra monitoring. |
| Rabbit | $50 | Ask about housing, diet, handling and spay/neuter status. |
| Small animal | $20 | Ask what supplies and enclosure are needed before pickup. |
| Bird | $20 | Ask about species, cage, noise, diet and long-term care. |
| Dog training deposit | $100 | Required for all pit bulls/pit mixes and all dogs under 2 years of age. |
| Suburban cat | $10 | Outdoor/working-cat style placement for under-socialized cats with proper setup. |
Lost or Found Pet in Santa Clara
SVACA’s lost/found workflow uses direct contact, 24PetConnect, photos, flyers, microchip scans and jurisdiction checks.
If your pet is lost
- Call SVACA at 408-764-0344 during phone hours.
- Register the lost pet on 24PetConnect and select Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority.
- Use a clear photo, detailed markings, microchip number, collar/tag details and last-seen location.
- Check shelters in neighboring jurisdictions if the pet was lost near a city boundary.
- Post on Nextdoor, Facebook, Craigslist and local lost/found pet groups.
- Put legal flyers near the lost area and nearby veterinary offices.
- Update microchip contact information immediately.
If you found an animal
- Dogs and other domestic animals found in Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Mountain View or Santa Clara can be brought to SVACA when appropriate.
- If transport may endanger you, call SVACA for pickup guidance during regular business hours.
- For healthy community cats, email staff@svaca.com first to determine the best course of action.
- Scan for a microchip at a shelter or veterinarian if safe.
- Register a found animal on 24PetConnect and add detailed photos.
- Post found signs and online notices, following local posting laws.
Reclaim Fees, Proof and Microchip Rule
SVACA lists reclaim fees and says proof of ownership is required. Qualifying animals may also need licensing, and California law affects microchip release for dogs and cats.
| Reclaim item | Listed fee | Prepare before pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Dog/cat altered – 1st offense | $35 | Proof of ownership, ID, microchip/license check. |
| Dog/cat unaltered – 1st offense | $100 | Ask whether licensing, rabies or microchip fees also apply. |
| Dog/cat – 2nd offense | $125 | Ask total due before arrival. |
| Dog/cat – 3rd offense | $175 | Bring ownership proof and payment method. |
| Dog/cat – 4th offense | $205 | Ask about additional penalties or licensing. |
| Other large animal | $75 | Horse, pig or similar large animal situations may need extra coordination. |
| Other small animal | $28 | Bird, rabbit or other small animals. |
| Boarding per day or portion: dogs/cats | $30 | Fees can increase by day; call quickly. |
| Boarding per day or portion: other | $11 | Ask the exact total due. |
| SVACA resident microchip fee | $35 | Dog/cat release may require current microchip contact information. |
| Nonresident microchip fee | $50 | Ask whether this applies to your case. |
| SVACA resident rabies vaccination | $35 | Ask whether a current rabies certificate is required. |
| Nonresident rabies vaccination | $40 | Ask before pickup if records are missing. |
Animal-Control Issues: Call or Online Report?
SVACA handles field services for Santa Clara and member cities, but not every issue should be submitted online.
Call SVACA for emergency animal issues
- Aggressive dog or dangerous animal.
- Injured stray or wild animal.
- Sick stray or wild animal.
- Confined stray animal.
- Animal bite.
Non-urgent reports may use online reporting
- Deceased animal.
- Non-urgent humane condition.
- Over the animal limit.
- Domestic animal running at large from a known address.
- Loose dog currently at large.
Owner Surrender and Animal Loss Services
SVACA warns not to abandon animals at the center or at a closed shelter. Surrender is not a drive-up shortcut.
Resident-limited
If you live in Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Mountain View or Santa Clara and have exhausted other options, you may be able to surrender a companion animal to SVACA.
$150 dog/cat surrender fee
SVACA lists an owner surrender fee of $150 for dogs and cats, with an additional field-collection fee if collected by staff.
Application and callback
Start with the Animal Surrender Application. SVACA says it may take up to two weeks to contact you due to staffing availability.
Dog/Cat Licensing, Rabies Proof and Updates
SVACA licensing is a practical lost-pet tool, not only a fee. A current tag and current contact information make return-to-owner faster.
Rabies proof required
SVACA says proof of current rabies vaccination is required to receive an animal license.
Online or mail route
You can complete the Animal License Application and mail it to SVACA at 3370 Thomas Road, Santa Clara, CA 95054, with payment instructions.
Update contact changes
Contact SVACA if your animal is lost, deceased, given away, stolen, or if you moved or changed phone numbers.
Lost tag replacement
SVACA lists a $5 processing fee for lost-tag replacement by written request.
Senior proof
Senior applicants must be 65 or older and provide proof of age when requesting senior licensing consideration.
Microchip helps reclaim
SVACA’s reclaim page notes California microchip requirements for releasing reclaimed dogs and cats with current contact information.
Spay/Neuter, Rabies, Microchip and Low-Cost Help
SVACA offers some services only to residents of its member communities and may restrict species, breed, age, weight or hardship eligibility.
Spay/neuter clinic
SVACA’s clinic is for eligible residents of Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Mountain View and Santa Clara. Check current restrictions before applying.
Companion Animal Cupboard
SVACA lists a food/supply help program for residents experiencing financial hardship, with proof of government assistance required.
Animal loss services
SVACA lists deceased owned-animal handling services for member-city residents. Email staff@svaca.com for current details and fees.
Veterinary / “Doctor” Availability: What Is Verified
This is an animal shelter/control page, not a hospital page. The useful answer is to explain verified medical support without inventing veterinarian schedules.
Health exam included
SVACA says adoption fees include a professional health examination and behavior evaluation.
Local veterinarian resource
SVACA links adopter resources including a list of local veterinarians, but this article does not copy or invent vet names.
No public doctor calendar
No public on-site veterinarian appointment calendar or doctor timing was verified, so this page tells adopters to ask staff for pet-specific follow-up.
Parking, Arrival and Visit Planning
SVACA verifies the address, but an official public parking-fee schedule, space count or accessible-parking map was not found on the checked pages. This section avoids fake parking claims.
Use the verified address
Navigate to 3370 Thomas Road, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Use live traffic and the map below.
Ask where to enter
Before adoption, reclaim or surrender, ask where visitors should park and enter for that specific service.
Bring safe transport
Bring a secure carrier or leash if directed. Do not bring resident pets unless staff instructs you to do so.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I’m interested in [pet name/ID]. Is this pet still available, should I walk in or submit a survey, and what should I bring today?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [street/city]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Has a matching animal been brought in or reported?Found animal
Hi, I found a [dog/cat/rabbit/bird] at [exact location]. It is [safe/injured/aggressive]. Can SVACA receive or pick up this animal?Reclaim
Hi, I believe my pet is at SVACA. What proof of ownership, fees, microchip/license steps and pickup hours apply today?Map: Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority
Use this map for route planning only. For adoptions, reclaim, found animals, surrender or donations, confirm the correct process before driving.
Related Animal-Shelter.org Guides
These live same-site guides help users compare shelter workflows without turning this page into a thin link directory.
Official Santa Clara Animal Shelter Links
The important details are summarized above. Use these official links for current pet listings, forms, service requests, fee confirmation and final verification.
Santa Clara Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main animal shelter for the City of Santa Clara?
The main City of Santa Clara animal shelter/control route is Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority, commonly called SVACA, at 3370 Thomas Road, Santa Clara, CA 95054.
What is SVACA’s phone number?
SVACA lists 408-764-0344 as its main phone number.
What are Santa Clara animal shelter adoption hours?
SVACA lists adoption hours daily from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins are welcome, but there may be a wait, and appointment surveys may be used for dog, cat or other animal adoptions.
What are SVACA licensing and reclaim hours?
SVACA lists licensing and reclaim hours daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
What are SVACA lost and found hours?
SVACA lists lost and found hours daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from SVACA?
SVACA lists the dog adoption fee as $200 and the puppy fee, for puppies less than six months old, as $375. A $100 dog training deposit is required for all pit bulls and pit mixes and all dogs under two years of age.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat from SVACA?
SVACA lists the cat adoption fee as $150 and the kitten fee, for kittens less than six months old, as $200.
What does the SVACA adoption fee include?
SVACA says adoption fees cover spay or neuter, initial appropriate vaccinations, a professional health examination and behavior evaluation, microchip, and a temporary ID tag. Member city residents also receive a license if applicable at adoption.
Who handles animal-control complaints in Santa Clara?
SVACA handles many Santa Clara animal-control issues, including dogs at large, licensing, vaccination, dead or injured animals, over-limit animals and unsanitary animal conditions. Santa Clara Police/Dispatch may handle barking dogs, animal poisoning and fighting-animal issues.
Is Santa Clara County Animal Services the same as SVACA?
No. SVACA serves Santa Clara, Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Mountain View. Santa Clara County Animal Services is a different route for unincorporated county areas and other county animal-services needs.
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.