The staff are caring, kind and helpful. I was able to volunteer and this led to an adoption. We adore our pup and she's been the best addition to our family! read more

Salinas Animal Shelter - Sugar! - Animal Shelters Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

The good: I mean---- it's an animal shelter! They take in strays and tend to hurt and abandoned animals-. That's wonderful!!!! The animals seem well cared for and healthy. The ugh : Every time I am here I cannot see the animals for some reason. I have rarely found a helpful, friendly face at the counter. You have to check in and stand outside and wait for them to let you in. Even when no one is there, they take their time letting you in. I don't want to play into classic government employee stereotypes but they give off suspicious and unhelpful. They ask why you are there-- if you say you just wanna say hi to the animals-- you know just see some cute animals and give them some attention they seem deeply mistrustful of your visit. Last week we went and DID want to adopt (2) cats. We were there at 3:50. They close at 5. There was no one out front but we did the tedious QR code and stood there for a long while. Finally we just opened the door and peeked in. The 2 women there were visibly annoyed that we did this. There was no one waiting inside or out so why make us stand outside? We felt like this was some weird power dynamics thing. Vibes were OFF. They said it was too late to see the animals. We asked why when they were open still for a whole hour. They said they needed to tend to the animals. We didn't say anything but we thought --- then if you are essentially closed to the public, why does the sign say differently? It's not exactly a place that is on the way to anything, so we made a special trip out there. We asked if we could just look at the animals. We knew what we wanted: a bonded pair of senior cats to start our new cat fam because our older kitty just passed away. They said no, that we could only see animals until 4. I didn't say--- but thought-- well if you hadn't made us stand outside for 10 minutes we could've seen the animals. Bottom line from us: 1) deeply unwelcoming; 2) weirdly overprotective (and not in an I-adore-animals-way- more-like-it's-my-house-manner); 3) you have lots of animals- do you want them adopted or not?!?!? read more

We lost our 16-year-old Buddyboy and went to this shelter and a wonderful volunteer helped us find our new little girl "cuddles" A 1 year-old mini poodle mix. my 11 year-old doodle absolutely adores her and they are inseparable now ... loving each other. This is a wonderful location and I hope you'll go there and find a dog and save a life. read more

We lost our sweet 14.5 year old shih tzu a few weeks ago and our lab/pit mix was so lonely (also a shelter rescue). We adopted Yinzi today and I think we've found a sister for our Zoey! read more

See all

They do not care for stray animals, at least not cats. I called them to let them know I found a stray cat and would like to bring it in. I was asked if the cat was sick or injured. When I replied no, they said there's no law that says cats can't roam free. They told me the cat could fend on its own. I asked them, "even when the street it was found on is overrun by cats, and kittens keep getting run over?". They had no response to this. This was the only reason why I decided to help this cat. To give it a better life and they failed. I previously tried to leave it at the SPCA and i was told they do not take animals from Salinas. That's what I get for caring for homeless animals. I will not be donating money here or adopting from this place. The fact that they turn away animals is disgusting. read more

Just received another lovely litter of kittens to foster for AFRP from the great folks at Salinas Animal Shelter! Thank you so much for this opportunity to love on some itty bitty kitties and their mama! (This is my fourth litter named for/with/through my favorite band, The Cat Empire!) read more

See all

The shelter was extremely helpful in helping us choose a 4 legged family member who would be able to join us since we already have other animals. It's clean and all the animals look well cared. read more

Okay, so the Salinas Animal Shelter might be the least 'fancy' of the area shelters, but that doesn't mean they don't have wonderful animals available for adoption! I found the world's cutest puppy at the Salinas Shelter. People stop me on the street to ask what kind he is (he's a mix) and where I got him, and are often shocked to hear he came from the shelter! If you're looking for a dog or cat, I recommend checking ALL the shelters because you never know where you're going to find the perfect animal. And be patient! It was a couple of weeks of checking all the area shelters before I found the right dog for myself, but if you are patient and persistent, it will be worth it. If you want to see what animals they have, go here: http://www.ci.salinas.ca.us/AnimalServices/Animals/index.html Added tip: This website also includes strays, which they hold for a week to wait for their owners to come claim. So if you see an animal that isn't available yet, ask the shelter staff if you can put your name down for it. That way you can get first dibs when the animal is ready to find a home! read more

Less than 10 miles from the fancy SPCA on hwy 68. Be sure to check here too!!! They have a countdown on the website so you can see how long your next furry friend has been waiting for u. They do holds at no cost so you have first dibs but you need to be present at the time they give you. You may be second or third in line for a hold if you don't act fast. I wish they opened earlier than noon and I wish they weren't closed Sundays because a lot of people look for pets on the weekend. Make sure you get landlord approval first if u need it cause they do check. Always adopt never shop! Check often and save a life! read more

See all

Great staff, always so helpful and friendly. Well kept kennels, (way cleaner than the SPCA). Love adopting fuzzy friends from here. read more

A stray cat had kittens in our tool shed. At first we just let it be mom would come and go but then i noticed mother cat was ran over:(. The kittens had been crying for two days straight. I felt i had to do something... Saved three kittens lives today:) I handed the kittens over filled out a form and was in and out in a flash. The employees there work hard and the place is very busy Thank you salinas animal shelter for all that you do. read more

As I write, there is an 85 pound, nine-month-old puppy (Jackie) who is so intelligent she's currently playing a game with a ball that she invented. A smart pit bull / great dane mix, Jackie opens doors, understands all commands, and is utterly gorgeous. Sweet, loves everyone she meets, doesn't understand the concept of aggression. Not a single day has gone by since we adopted her last year that I haven't felt blessed --almost unworthy. Jackie has brought a powerful joy to our family. I am grateful for the supportive, oft unsung staff at the Salinas Animal Shelter. read more

Salinas Animal Shelter - My gratitude for the Salinas Animal Shelter and their wonderful staff cannot be overstated. - Animal Shelters Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

I would say that this animal shelter lacks customer service. I had a friend who took her two nieces, who have such caring natures, to the animal shelter. While being assisted by another staff member a women (who is a supervisor) came out shouting at the little girl to stop petting the cat. I'm sorry but belittling a child in front of other staff and customers is never acceptable. It is unfortunate that these situations reflect on the organizaiton and their level of professionalism or lack therof. read more

In the past decade, SAS has helped 15,464 pets find their forever homes (not to include those who were returned to owners) - and three of those guys are currently chilling at my house right now! The staff and volunteers at SAS do amazing things, and really care about every animal that comes through the doors. The building may not be as glamorous as the others around the Central Coast, but there is more than enough heart and soul within the walls to make up for it. If you are looking for your new best friend, be sure to check them out! read more

The staff is incredibly friendly and understanding! All of the animals are well loved and cared for in the hands of re staff. The place is very clean. I recommend this place for animal adoption over the SPCA. read more

This review is a few years overdue, but after reading some of the reviews I felt I should leave a review. A few years ago I adopted my wonderful little old man (a male Pekingese) from an organization called Peace of Mind Dog Rescue in Pacific Grove. POMDR had taken in Duke, who was estimated to be nine years old, from this shelter. Owing to his age, Duke could have easily been put down as being unadoptable, but this group reached out to POMDR and the rest is history. I'm so thankful to them for saving my baby (who's snoring right next to me as I type this). Having done rescue work myself, and worked with several different shelters, I know it's hard, frustrating and heartbreaking work owing to tight budgets. You see the worse of what humanity can do to animals and that wears on one's soul. That alone is reason to commend these people for trying to do what is best for their charges. read more

Horrible! Just awful! Do not ever donate your money to this organization! They are heartless! These are not animal lovers but animal killers! I along with my entire neighborhood had lovingly fed a stray cat recently and when it became obvious that this stray needed healthcare and a loving home i called this shelter. They refused to take the hurting cat saying it was my responsibility. So i called the spca and the spca told me that this organization is heartless and does this often. Well the spca had to send this poor cat back to the salinas shelter today...i just got a very rude call telling me they are going to kill this cat without even giving the sweetheart a chance to find a loving home! This cat is an amazingly sweet cat and could make a wonderful pet for someone but no this heartless organization will kill him all because one loving neighborhood tried to help by feeding the cat. Do not give this heartless place your money. Im disgusted. read more

PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT THIS PLACE. My family in law's dog had gotten out and someone had reported it and they had taken her back to their death trap. When I came across the photos they posted on lost dogs, I took my brother in law to identify her due to the fact she did not want to give any information over the phone of where she was found and was completely rude. Following this, my brother in law went in the back to identify her because apparently it's only one person allowed in the back? And when we were deciding what to do as she did not live at my house and he was a minor, and the extremely rude Caucasian lady was pressing for us to claim her, she was requesting my minor brother in law for his parents address, names, phone numbers?? When I said no we will wait because we need to talk to his parents first because she wanted at least $200 for the shots and chip and registration but would not even tell us the exact price, it was extremely evident that she was PISSED over it and then resumed to threaten my 15 year old brother in law by telling him "if you don't claim her within two days because days has already passed the vet will check that she's an older pet and can say that if she's not healthy we will euthanize her that day." Wow, what compassion. I was shocked that they would talk in such a threatening matter to a minor, and the other lady who was there was much nicer, Rain, said there are payment plans people can make but the other lady barged in and said no. It's clear that this establishment does not care for the welfare of any animals and their owners whatsoever. read more

I had a wonderful experience here. All of the staff is friendly and helpful. It has a much warmer feeling than the spca and animal rescue in PG. I was offered so much help and sincerely believe they wanted me to find the perfect fit in my new dog. It is easy to adopt, much less expensive for all of the same services. At the spca and animal rescue I felt like they were doing me a big favor showing me the animal, not here! read more

I don't usually write things like this, but it hurts so much to think about it I have to write it down and get it out of my head. Twice my dogs have had to go to this shelter, ( due to getting out ) and I don't know how friendly the staff were 3 years ago, but since then they have lied, been very rude, not caring, dirty shelter, and spiteful the entire time I've experienced my time with them. It brakes my heart that they would make up silly and idiotic excuses for me not to get my dog and call it 'protical'. And when they do decide to let you have your animal back, they charge you for every little thing you can imagine and beyond. I had been nothing but sweet and caring with them, there was no call for there behavior, they act like 5 years olds. This shelter obviously does not give their animals a bath, or a brushing, and how do I know this? Not only myself, but friends of mine who had volunteered there also notice the animals in the same condition as when they were brought in. All they want is the money, and they don't care about the animals at all, it makes me sick to my stomach that's who's taking 'care' of those poor animals. Please don't donate to this shelter, I feel for the animals, but a change in staff really needs to be in order. read more

My family and I have rescued over 45 dogs from the streets in the last 6 years. Sometimes we are fortunate and find the dogs' families, but sometimes the dogs, very sadly, end up in the shelter. Twice, after failing to find the dogs' families, we adopted the dog. Our most recent addition to the family is a lovable, elderly beagle, who we've named "Mrs. B." The vet believes that she is approximately 12 years old, and her nearly completely white face and arthritis confirm that Mrs. B. is up-in-years. The shelter now wants to charge us $65/yr to license her or get her spayed. Really? Who spays a 12 year old dog? Boy dogs, with their powerful noses, show her no interest, which to me says that she's not capable of having puppies. So why should I put Mrs. B through the risks of a totally pointless medical procedure?!? Yes, I understand the importance of spaying and neutering, and all our other dogs and cats are spayed. But the shelter should use some common sense when applying the rules, and not endanger our elderly four-legged friends. In the meantime, Mrs. B and I will live the lives of two outlaws on the run! read more