Merced County Animal Services

R V

2024-05

First off, there are a lot of wonderful dogs at this location. Roughly a quarter of the dogs here are puppies. If you are looking to adopt, I HIGHLY encourage you to visit this shelter even if it's a bit of a drive. It is worth it.The reason for the low rating is this place is POORLY OPERATED. This shelter is constantly overcrowded yet they don't allow volunteers, are understaffed, and the front desk makes adopting a difficult process. One of the dirtiest shelters I have ever been to. They do a POOR JOB of bringing awareness of any specials they may have going on. The shelter does nothing to highlight or promote their dogs. Dogs are euthanized without warning, no final plea, no red notice to give to potential adopters who may be on the fence about adopting.Please give these abandoned dogs a fighting chance.

Amie Johnson

2024-03

Thank you so much for bringing Thunder back home!! This place is amazing! They took such good care of him while he was there! Thank you to whom ever found him! My father is legally blind and his dog got out from his garage somehow. Thankfully someone found him kept him safe! We can not thank you enough for calling us and being so kind! God bless u all!!

Courtney Valencia

2024-03

Absolutely shady! How can a county animal shelter VIOLATE ordinances? An ordinance relating to the redemption of impounded animals, amending title 7, chapter 7.04 of the Merced County code. "Merced County animal shelter shall not sell or give away to a new owner any dog or cat that has not been spayed or neutered." We got a cat from here whose records showed she was spayed. Lo and behold, after going into heat twice, she had ALL of her uterus and ovaries untouched! Our usual vet did the surgery. We called the shelter and they pointed the finger at US. Said in our contract that we signed, we would have to give the cat back to the shelter to spay. Why would I trust the shelter to spay when they LIED about the record in the first place? AND no where our copy of the contract (that I have looked through multiple times today!) does it state we have to return her to be spayed. And what exactly do you want us to do when our cat has been opened up to see if she has her parts? Stitch her back up only to take her to the shelter to be reopened again? Now we're having to pay for the spaying out of our own pocket because the shelter can't document anything correctly and violates ordinances. Go figure, county businesses get away with anything!

Felomena Thomas

2024-05

Adopter beware the people that work at the Atwater animal shelter hate their jobs and co workers and they don’t hide it in front of customers. I adopted a puppy which had Parvo come to find out which cost me $700 and a 30% chance she’ll survive I called and they could have cared less. My puppy smelt horrible when I brought her home from the filthy conditions of the kennel there and the fact there were 10 other puppies with her in the small cell which probably all have Parvo. This place needs new management

Sadie Datray

2024-02

I went to check to see if my cat was at the shelter, he has gone missing recently, and the staff was unkind. I had told them the ID number of the cat that looked similar to mine and they became very defensive saying, “I called you back about the cat and told you that it’s unlikely it’s yours because they’re going to be neutered.” My cat is already neutered. I responded by saying, “there must have been a miscommunication because I was told that the cat was here when I called around 10:50 am.” The ladies at the front began to be very defensive and not let me continue what I was trying to say. I was trying to say “You must have talked to my friend because they have been trying to help me find my cat.” However, the staff became very upset and continued to talk over me not letting me communicate what I needed to say to them. I can understand the miscommunication between people it happens. Hopefully in the future the staff will be kinder and more sympathetic to those trying to reunite with their pets.

pleasing vibes

2024-04

This animal shelter exhibits significant shortcomings in its communication practices, and some staff members demonstrate unprofessional behavior. On two occasions, we were misinformed about the availability of specific dogs or cats for adoption, only to be met with indifference upon our arrival. Despite our stated intention to adopt, we were initially disregarded and only received assistance upon request.Moreover, there was a discrepancy between the shelter's representation of the cat's demeanor as friendly and its actual aggressive behavior upon adoption. This discrepancy was dismissed as typical feline behavior without addressing our concerns adequately. It appears that insufficient attention is given to the animals' well-being and socialization within the shelter environment.Additionally, it is concerning that the shelter's refund policy is not transparent, as we were led to believe that a refund would be possible, yet it was never fulfilled.Overall, the lack of organization and professionalism observed at this shelter is deeply disappointing and undermines its ability to effectively serve both animals and potential adopters.

Happy World

2023-05

Nice place. People can choose pets for their adoption. I would expect their remote service (phone conversation and web service) promptly , with cordiality and also to increase their manpower. Outside (in the waiting place), lot of elderly people stand and wait for long time in queue. Please make good seating arrangements in the queue outside, and cover that outside place with AC as well. People and pet becomes sick waiting long time in open place during California’s hot sunny weather.I also went for pet vaccination in there (service from vip petcare, but in the same address).Waiting time usually is too long, if there is pet vaccination date. So bring sufficient water for your pet and you can bring a folding chair as well to wait in the queue. I once went for the vaccination, seeing the monthly vaccine date, but they canceled that for a person having covid. That is certainly reasonable, but that should mandatorily updated in the webpage, because most of the people check the date and address from webpage.If you ask the vaccination people about the price, they sometimes might not disclose the price (or may share partial information). Apparently you need to pay more price/fee than you expected before coming from home. So my suggestion to them is to put all the service prices in a banner or poster outside, so that everyone can read it and can pre-decide which one(s) they will take before entering in the vaccine room. Also please post the price summary in the webpage as well, which will increase the authenticity and will reduce possibility of hidden prices. Keep suggestions and other advertisements in different link, not in the service and payment link.Same for adoption case as well, I request to put a detailed poster/banner outside, consisting only available services and price, not any advertisement.People need definitive ideas from home (before coming here) what services they want to choose and how much they need to pay, both for pet adoption case and for vaccination case. This will help regarding customer satisfaction as well.

Deanna Rizzo

2024-03

I found a dog running around on my street did not want to see it get hurt cause people don’t drive safe. When we tried to take it in to Atwater Animal Services on Friday they said no, intake day is Saturday. So we asked what would you like us to do and their answer was “leave it where you found it”!!!! They are suppose to help with stray animals and they act as if it’s an inconvenience to do their jobs!!! Merced County Animal Services is the worst!!!!

Empress B.

2020-05

So much to say, I wanted to adopt a chipped dog (not knowing he was chipped when I picked him). There were over 300 dogs to view, I spent almost an hour choosing my Marley. They discovered he was chipped and said maybe I couldn't adopt him, I was so disappointed. The overnight guy called 3 times the next night saying he sent Sherriffs out to the home of old owners 2 times and they said they didnt want him. I came back the next day and still paid the full fee eventhough he was already chipped. Brought home my little bestie. Such a hood boy and so smart! Everyone there was super nice too. I wish though, that they knew he was adoptable before the scare that he may have had to go back to the old owner.... who we are sure he was abused. The sherriff told me that, and after seeing my little guys reaction to certain men, I definitely concur☹

Kimberley Casillas

2024-04

I called Merced animal control the dispatcher was so rude!yes there under stress but to dump it on people that call to help animals!I did nothing for him to talk to me that way! God help us all!

Hope Loewen

2024-04

They were very responsive to my needs I could not have a huge dog at my place that was dropped off & left.

Taylor Limon Garcia

2024-04

They will not accept newborn kittens that are abandoned … now I’m with 4 newborns and I can’t take care of them.

Pj Zaninovich

2023-05

Clean and great staff. We got a wonderful puppy. We plan to go back soon. We went back for a playmate..

Kalen Rafferty

2024-02

Though it smells and is loud the employees put in a lot of work to keep the animals safe and healthy and work to get animals rescued and adapted

pat mason

2024-01

They have a great crew. Very helpful, kind, considerate and Knowledgeable

Sandra Mooneyham

2023-05

The ladies who work the front desk at this shelter overflowing with abandoned pets, are friendly, efficient, helpful and compassionate, in spite of being overwhelmed at times. I’ve seen them with a worker on the radio, several on the phone, intaking a drop off and a waiting lobby full all at the same time. A new young shelter worker who retrieved the puppy I was going to foster, introduced herself, which was kind. It has to be very hard to work in a place every day, which is forced to euthanize very sweet healthy pets who just want to be adopted by a new family they can love.

Raquel Fernandez

2024-01

The smell was unpleasant but the dogs and cats were so cute

Brenda Corona

2023-08

Offered no assistance to drop off strays on my property even though I live in the county because they have a contract with Atwater even though Atwater won’t pick them up either. Why? Who knows, they just won’t!

Sheila Lindsey

2023-05

Came here with a friend to see if her dog got picked up . They seem to care about the animals and we’re helpful. The place could be a little cleaner but I understand they are probably short staffed and work with volunteers. Sad to see all the animals waiting for homes .

paul koch

2023-05

A nice newer facility, helpful staff, good care.for animals. We adopted 2 GSDs 2 years ago and have been very happy. Adopt 2 dogs at same time and pay for only 1 neutering procedure. Good variety of breeds. Lots of GSDS at this facility.

Larry Valenti

2023-11

Their doing a great job there! Just sad seeing all those dogs that just want a home.

George Ruth

2023-05

We found these two dogs on the street, toke them in and scheduled with N.B to find them good homes. We dropped off one with New Beginnings. They are a true blessing for these poor dogs. They are all so cute and sweet, how people can leave them on the streets to fend for them self's, is so horrible. We thank all the families that help out these poor pets on the streets. May God continue to bless these families and pets.

Beverly Neyens

2023-05

This shelter & workers are amazing! Dogs had an unauthorized vacation but luckily ended up there being cared for. Thank you ladies for your kindness!

Stephen Gregg

2023-12

I just do health checks to make sure the pets are healthy when they go to their new home.

Jeremy Clover

2023-05

Please come and adopt a pet. They are overwhelmed at this location and they have more than they can really deal with. At this point we have adopted two dogs out of this facility and rescued one from the community to prevent him from going here. They do the best they can, but it would be better if you could participate and adopt a pet or tell a friend.

Singh Singh

2023-05

Called in for animal welfare. I was lectured by a sheriff on how busy they are and they don't have enough deputies to check on welfare.Merced County is deeply interconnected with thier AG and they scratch each other's back to protect each other. I hope this changes soon.

Allen simms

2023-10

Friendly helpful with entire adoption process answered all questions love my new English bulldog dog

Jess with Cheese

2021-05

I recently adopted a dog from here. I have no issues with the staff at all, they were very friendly and welcoming.The one reason I'm not giving them five stars is due to the pandemic regulations on the adoptions. I totally get why one person with a mask at a time in the facility is a must and that the health of the employees is very important. But I don't quite get why the adoption process has become more difficult.You can't walk through the facility and look at the dogs they have on your visit. You have to go to the website and look at the list of dogs they have, of which isn't updated for a few days sometimes, and call to make an appointment with one specific dog.Then at the appointment, you can't spend time with the dog to get a read on it's personality. You can only look at it through a glass door, and after that you have to decide whether or not you want to put the adoption fee down.If you do decide to put money down, the dog gets fixed a few days later and then you're able to go in a room and spend time with them. If by that visit you decide you don't think that dog is a good fit for you, you can choose to get a refund but that refund is a check sent in the mail from the county and can take a week or two to get to you. This refund process was explained to me by one of the staff.I just really wish I would have been able to look at all the dogs on the appointment day to make the adoption process a little bit smoother.Aside from that one bump in the road, my experience was generally positive. I am very happy with my new buddy. Animal services offers a free exam (at select clinics) up to 14 days after adoption, which is great.

Amarjit Kooner

2024-02

Wanted to surrender my dog but very full.

joaquin gutierrez

2023-06

I love how dedicated they are! and super friendly staff , thanks to their hard work my fur family is complete again 💙 ❤️ Kobe is home