Santa Maria Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

Address

548 W. Foster Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455.

Use the map below and confirm whether your pet or service is at Santa Maria, Lompoc or Santa Barbara/Goleta before driving.

Phone

833-422-8413 is the main countywide Animal Services number shown in current listings.

Older listings may show local Santa Maria numbers; use the official site or countywide line to confirm routing.

Public hours

Regular shelter business hours are shown as Tuesday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

Expanded-hour announcements may show 10 AM–6 PM, so call before a late visit.

Services

Adoption, lost/found pets, sheltering, licensing, field-service routing, bite reports, owner help, community cats and vaccine resources.

Dog adoption fee intent

A resource directory lists dog adoption around $110, not including license. Confirm current dog fees, promotions and license costs directly with SBCAS before checkout.

• Ask whether spay/neuter is complete.
• Ask what vaccines and microchip are included.
• Ask whether a dog license is required for your address.

Cat adoption fee intent

A resource directory lists cat adoption around $75. Confirm current pricing because shelter promotions, age, specials and county fee schedules may change.

• Bring or buy a secure carrier.
• Ask about spay/neuter and vaccination status.
• Ask about shy-cat or indoor-only needs.

Rabbits and small pets

Rabbit, guinea pig, bird, reptile and small animal adoption fees can vary. Some limited promotions may waive fees, but care costs still matter.

• Ask about enclosure size and diet.
• Ask whether the animal is altered.
• Ask about vet and long-term supply costs.

Dogs

Ask about leash behavior, kennel stress, dog-to-dog history, children, exercise needs, bite history if known and first-week decompression.

Cats

Ask about shy behavior, litter habits, indoor-only needs, bonded pairs, carrier transport and whether the cat needs a quiet starter room.

Rabbits

Ask about hay, litter habits, indoor housing, chewing, bonding, nail trims and rabbit-savvy veterinary care.

Other animals

For birds, reptiles, guinea pigs and other small pets, ask about legal housing, temperature, diet, handling and long-term care.

If your pet is missing

• Search the official SBCAS lost/found and adoptable animal tools repeatedly.
• Call 833-422-8413 with species, color, size, sex, collar, microchip and last-seen location.
• File a lost-pet report as soon as possible.
• Update your microchip registry, phone number and backup contact.
• Use Petco Love Lost or similar image-matching tools if recommended by SBCAS resources.
• Visit in person if a shelter photo or description may match your pet.

If you found a pet

• Check for an ID tag and contact the owner if safe.
• Have the animal scanned for a microchip when safe.
• File a found-pet report with Animal Services.
• Post clear photos, but keep one identifying detail private to verify ownership.
• Do not permanently rehome a found pet without following legal found-pet steps.
• Do not handle frightened, injured or aggressive animals if unsafe.

Call Animal Services

Use the countywide number for routine shelter, lost/found, adoption, licensing, stray, bite report or animal-service questions.

Use emergency help

For active attacks, severe injuries, dangerous animals in progress, traffic hazards or cruelty in progress, use emergency services or the proper dispatch route.

Ask the right route

Wildlife, dead animals, livestock, roosters and bite cases can have different routes. Call and explain the exact situation before moving the animal.

Before surrendering

• Call or use the official rehome/surrender route before arriving.
• Prepare the pet’s age, species, sex, spay/neuter status and vaccine records.
• Write honest behavior notes: bites, fear, reactivity, litter habits, escape history, separation anxiety.
• Ask about pet food, temporary foster, vaccine, spay/neuter or rehome support before surrendering.
• Do not abandon an animal outside the shelter or in a public place.

Alternatives to ask about

• Family or trusted friend temporary placement.
• Pet pantry, vaccine clinic, spay/neuter or microchip support.
• Safe private rehoming with proof and screening.
• Breed rescue or species-specific rescue if appropriate.
• Training or behavior help if the issue is manageable.

Dog licensing

Animal Services lists animal licensing as a service. Prepare rabies vaccination proof and ask what fee applies to your city or unincorporated area.

Vaccine clinics

County vaccine-clinic pages list Santa Maria Animal Center walk-in clinic details, with services and prices subject to change.

Microchips and ID

Microchips, collars and ID tags help reunite lost pets faster. Keep chip contact information current after moving or changing phones.

Photo ID

Bring valid ID for adoption, licensing, reclaim, surrender or official service questions.

Payment method

Confirm current fees and accepted payment before visiting for adoption, licensing, reclaim or clinic service.

Proof for reclaim

Bring photos, vet records, license, microchip record, rabies certificate or adoption paperwork if reclaiming a lost pet.

Carrier

Bring a secure carrier for cats, kittens, rabbits and small pets. Loose animals in cars can escape or get injured.

Leash plan

Bring a leash, collar, harness or safe vehicle plan for a dog adoption or reclaim.

Animal details

Write down animal name, ID, listing location, date found/lost and any profile notes before you call or arrive.

First 24 hours

• Keep the pet in a calm starter space.
• Do not invite visitors or force pet introductions immediately.
• Use leash/carrier safety even if the animal seems calm.
• Expect hiding, pacing, barking, whining or reduced appetite.
• Save adoption papers, vaccine notes, microchip records and medical instructions together.

Days 2–7

• Build a predictable feeding, potty, walk and sleep routine.
• Schedule vet follow-up if recommended.
• Introduce resident pets slowly and safely.
• Watch for coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, refusal to eat, limping or severe anxiety.
• Ask for training or behavior support early if concerns appear.

Arrive early

Give yourself enough time for pet viewing, staff questions, paperwork and safe transport before closing.

Check location

Make sure the animal is at Santa Maria, not Lompoc, Santa Barbara/Goleta, foster or partner placement.

Call first

Call if you are visiting for one specific pet, a surrender question, a found animal or animal-control issue.

Before visiting

• Do not assume the pet is at Santa Maria without checking the listing location.
• Do not rely only on old social media posts for availability.
• Do not arrive near closing for a detailed adoption visit.
• Do not forget Monday and holiday closures.
• Do not assume extended hours are active without confirming.

Before adoption, surrender or animal-control help

• Do not adopt without checking housing, pet limits and first-week costs.
• Do not surrender without using the official route first.
• Do not hide bite, medical or behavior history.
• Do not treat a found pet as abandoned without checking ID and filing reports.
• Do not handle unsafe animals or wildlife without guidance.