Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you get your animals?
Salinas Animal Services (SAS) provides services for the City of Salinas only.  The animals in our shelter are found within the city limits by one of our animal control officers or a private citizen. We do not take animals from outside the city limits. (Once animals are moved into adoptions however, persons from outside the city limits are more than welcome to adopt from us.)

How are you different from the other local animal shelters?
SAS services the City of Salinas and is operated under the City’s Police Department.  The other animal shelter on Hitchcock Road (Monterey County Animal Services) is operated by the Monterey County Health Department and services the unincorporated areas of Monterey County.  The SPCA of Monterey County, on Highway 68 is a private, non-profit that accepts owner-surrendered animals and strays from some of the Peninsula and south county cities.  While we all shelter animals, have adoption programs and do work cooperatively, we operate separately and independently of each other.  (See our other links page for information on the above agencies.)

Where are you located and how do I get there?<
The Salinas Animal Shelter is located at 144 Hitchcock Road.  We are the second shelter you come to on Hitchcock Road.  Our hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 12-5 pm.

From the Peninsula:
Take Highway 68 towards Salinas.  Turn left at Hitchcock Road and continue down Hitchcock for ~ 1.5 miles.  You will see signs for “animal shelter” and will turn right down our small street. (If you come to a stop sign, you have gone too far). Continue to the END of the road and we are just past the gate. 
From HWY 1, take the Reservation Road exit in Marina.  Follow Reservation Road through Marina, towards Salinas (about 8 miles) and turn left on Davis Road.  Turn Right on Hitchcock Road. Take a left at the first little street (you’ll see signs for “animal shelter”. Continue to the END of the road and we are just past the gate. 

From Salinas:
From HWY 101, take the Laurel exit and turn right.  Make the first left onto Davis Road headed south.  Continue straight (several miles) through Blanco/Davis intersection and turn left onto Hitchcock Road. (Yes, you are headed into the fields).  Take a left at the first little street (you’ll see signs for “animal shelter”. Continue to the END of the road and we are just past the gate.  You can also take Main Street headed south and turn right onto Hitchcock Road. You will see signs for “animal shelter” and will turn right down our small street. (If you come to a stop sign, you have gone too far). Continue to the END of the road and we are just past the gate.

What should I do if my pet is lost?
Start looking IMMEDIATELY!  Don’t wait for your pet to just come back on it’s own.  Canvas your neighborhood, calling out for your pet.  If they usually respond to a treat jar or favorite squeaky toy, bring it with you.  If you don’t find it, call us at 758-7285 to report your lost pet.  But don’t stop there.  Make signs and post all over your neighborhood and surrounding blocks. If there are any stores that will allow you to post your sign, do that to. The more people that know your pet is missing are more eyes looking out for it.

We suggest you check the shelter within 2 days of losing your pet and at least every 3-4 days after that.  Since animals with no I.D. are only held for 4 business days, the more you look, the better chance you have of finding your pet.  Make sure to check the other area shelters since animals often wander through different jurisdictions.  Again, animals found within the city limits of Salinas will come to our shelter.  (Monterey County Animal Services or the SPCA of Monterey County would have stray animals from other jurisdictions.)
And if you do find your pet, please let us know.  We like happy endings too! 

What happens if my dog/cat is brought to the animal shelter?
When animals are brought to the shelter either by an officer or a private citizen, the first thing that we do is to look for any identification, tags, licenses or microchips. All animals are scanned for microchips. If information about the owner is located, we will try to contact the owner to pick up the animal. If the owner can’t be reached by phone, a letter is sent notifying the owner of the animal's location.  Animals found to wearing identification are automatically held longer than those animals without any information.

As part of the intake process, animals are given vaccines to help reduce the chance that they’ll catch kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and are briefly examined for other general health problems.  Once they are entered into the computer and have had their photo taken, they will be placed into our stray animal holding areas.  Our website updates every hour so before long, new animals will be listed on our website.
Stray animals are kept for four business days before they may be placed up for adoption, transferred to a rescue group or euthanized.  This does not include the day they come in or the days we are closed.  Please do not wait to look for your pet at the shelter if it is lost!

What does it cost to get my dog/cat out of the shelter?
Fees can vary depending on the circumstances, such as whether the animal is spayed/neutered, licensed, currently vaccinated, and how many days it has been impounded.  Animals that are spayed or neutered, licensed and vaccinated have reduced fees. 

What if the owner doesn’t reclaim an animal?
If an animal is not claimed by it’s owner by the end of the stray period, it may be put up for adoption, transferred to a rescue group, or euthanized. There is no set time once an animal is available for adoption.  We do our best to hold them as long as we can. If an animal is deemed aggressive or has severe health problems, it may be euthanized.

How can I keep my pet from being lost?
Here are some tips:
Always keep current I.D. on your pet!.  Animals that get lost are more likely to find their way home if they have identification on them. (Remember, your dog is required to wear it’s license tag).   Also, consider microchipping your pet.  It’s fairly inexpensive and has a one time activation fee and lasts for the life of your pet.  (Ask your veterinarian about it or contact SAS for more information on where to get your pet microchipped.)  All local animal shelters scan animals for microchips.  As long as you keep your contact information current, we are better able to contact you should your pet become lost.

Spay or Neuter your pets!  Since a majority of the animals that end up in animal shelter are NOT spayed or neutered, it is fair to say that by having your pet altered, you reduce the chance that it will wander away.  See below for more spay/neuter information.

Confine your pet!  Dogs are NOT allowed to be off of your property at any time unless they are attached to a leash and a person who can handle the animal.  (See Salinas Municipal Code) So they are not allowed to wander to the neighbors yard to do their business and come home when they feel like it.  If there is a hole in the fence, FIX IT!  Also, keep your cats inside. They live longer and can be kept safe and happy with a little extra attention on your part.  It will also reduce the chance they end up at a shelter, injured in a fight, contract a disease, or get hit by a car.  If you have questions about any of these suggestions, please contact SAS at 758-7285 for more information.

Do I have to license my dog and if so, why?
Yes, your dog needs to be licensed. In fact, all dogs over the age of 4 months are required to be vaccinated for rabies and licensed.  By having your dog licensed, it tells us that it has a current rabies vaccination.  Cats are not required to be licensed but are required to have a current rabies vaccination.  If your pet is spayed or neutered, the licensing fees are reduced.

Why?  Rabies is found within the wildlife of Monterey County, including within the City of Salinas.  Any mammal can contact rabies, including humans.  And since rabies is a fatal disease, we take it very seriously.  Since our pets are more likely to come into contact with a rabid animal (typically skunks and bats), we found that by vaccinating them, we can better protect ourselves. 

Where can I license my dog?
Dog licenses may be purchased in the Finance Department at City Hall or at Animal Services at 144 Hitchcock Road in Salinas. You will need to bring proof that your pet has a current rabies vaccine.  If your pet is spayed/neutered, you also need to bring proof of that in order to get the discounted license.  There are penalties for delinquent license fees. See our licensing page for fees.

Am I required to have my animal spay/neutered?
The City of Salinas does not currently have a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. However, there are many benefits to having your animal altered (spayed or neutered). Speak to your veterinarian about the benefits and risks associated with spay/neuter.  For a quick list of the benefits associated by spaying or neutering your pet, click here.

What can I do about my neighbor’s barking dog?
The City of Salinas has an ordinance regulating noise. If your neighbor’s dog is barking and is becoming a nuisance to you, please attempt to talk to your neighbor first, if you feel comfortable. Don’t wait until you are really frustrated.  Often dog owners do not know that their dog is barking during the day while they are at work.  If that doesn’t help, call Animal Services. An officer will provide a courtesy warning to the dog owner indicating that their dog is barking and causing a nuisance. After that, if the problem continues, you may file a formal complaint based on the city ordinance.

What can I do about feral cats in my neighborhood?
Feeding feral cats is not allowed in Salinas city limits unless you intend to take responsibility for their overall care (spay/neuter, vaccinations, etc.)  If you have feral cats on your property that you do not want to care for, you may trap the feral cat and bring it to the animal shelter. Traps may be rented at several local retailers. For more information, please contact Animal Services at 758-7285.

Note:  Cats, feral cats included, can start reproducing at only 4 months of age!  (And it doesn’t matter if they are related.)  Please do not wait to bring us kittens until they are big.  We have a better chance of being able to save them if they are little and can be socialized.  The sooner we can work with them, the better chance they have at a long, happy life.

Can I volunteer at the Animal Shelter?
YES!  SAS depends on the dedicated volunteers that help enhance what we can offer our animals.  Currently we are accepting volunteer applications in many areas for those 16 years of age and older.  See our volunteer page for current opportunities or call 831-758-7285 for more information.