Sonoma County Animal Services

Shelley Mangione

2024-02

Was a great experience adopting our 2 sibling 4 month old kittens. Everyone there was so kind.After the first month and a half one kitten became I’ll. After spending hundreds of dollars at our Vets we returned to humane society with our kitten who became worse. We were turned away!Long story short the kitten had to be put down. Now two weeks later and hundreds of dollars again our other kitten is not well. We are administrating meds and are hoping for a positive out come.WILL NEVER ADOT THROUGH THIS ORGANIZATION AGAIN.

Jackson Loeffler

2024-01

This is a fantastic shelter, they are amazing with their animals and care. However. My SO and I picked up some obviously skinny cats and 2 kittens, and brought them there. The people at the front desk were all very nice, however, the vet techs they brought out to check the cats were horrifically rude. They also claimed cats were allowed to roam freely and we shouldn't have picked them up. In the state of California they are considered pests and are not legally allowed to free roam, the law is just not enforced as hard as it should be.The rude techs should be shoving their foot in their mouths at this point as we contacted the shelter and found out that the cats were most likely abandoned as the owners have failed to reach back out to them after multiple calls to them and the home they were registered to is a near 30 minute drive from where we found them.I definitely suggest going there to adopt, however, they need better vet techs. They're snarky, full of themselves, and downright rude.

Nancy Hayssen

2023-05

Super nice helpful staff. We got a wonderful dog here and now looking at adopting another ❤️ Thank you to the kind woman Luz for her help on my last visit.

Jordan Larain

2024-04

!!!!! Look at the yelp reviews!!!!!! They’re euthanasia happy here.My childhood elderly cat was wrongfully picked up at the same location his chip had attached to it, the number on it was outdated so we weren't contacted about it until we received a letter via mail at the 7 day mark when they initiate euthanasia. They claimed he had a "mass in his stomach" we were unaware of. When we asked if it was terminal, they said they didn't even test it to see what it was. We found out after he was already put down.My family is heartbroken and crying over this. That was our boy. He was out front of his home. He was put down in a pound; had none of his humans around him to comfort him. I cannot believe this happened. Looking into suing this place.Please do not go here unless you're trying to save the animals they have from facing the same fate.We'll miss you forever my Jack.

Mariah Clark

2023-05

Well, it’s with a heavy heart that I am feeling the need to leave a negative review. I was blessed to find 6 healthy puppies that were either just dumped or just escaped, I’m not sure that were crawling out of a ditch on guerneville rd. I was truly blessed to be able to get to them and get them in my car before they were hit! It was VERY close and if I wouldn’t have saved them I’m sure a few would’ve been hit before traffic stopped if I didn’t get them! My point is I had to keep them overnight because animal control was closed at (4:30pm) and no vets had space. My aunt posted them on nextdoor and my mom and I posted on FB in hopes I would find the owner. I brought them here the next day and I was greeted by a grumpy, chubby 50+ woman with short brown hair, clearly she was a supervisor and was SOO JUDGY!!!!! she insinuated I didn’t find them and that it was “weird” that I found them!! I absolutely am in awe that a person that almost killed themselves to get these babies in the car and kept them overnight could be made to feel BAD for saving them!!!! She shouldn’t work there! The most of the other people were supportive and kind! I hope that lady reads this because you need change!!!! You’re awful! I had these sweet babies best interest at heart, I could have kept them and gave them medical attention and sold them! It was so hard for me to leave them. They are expensive dogs worth money, Instead I put my trust in the country/government to not be greedy and I just pray these sweet babies that I already miss find a loving home.

Candace Martinez

2023-05

The best shelter for animals they are caring for every animal that enters the door. And the staff very kind and understanding. My little friend Mia has made a wonderful transition. Thank you Stephanie at Groomingdales in Kelseyville for her gentle care and grooming.

Nate Stockham

2023-10

I have never left a review before anywhere I have been regardless of wonderful or terrible service. Being that I work in hospitality and guest services I felt the need to leave a review about my experience. After waiting 15 min on hold (which is totally okay, I understand these are folks who are understaffed and most likely underpaid) but the biggest thing about guest services is never ever allowing for the customer or guest to know the stress and downfalls that are happening behind the scenes. Whoever I spoke to today at 11:30AM was not only extremely condescending, but just not at all willing to be informational and helpful in a caring way as one should in this role since it’s serving the public and our tax payer dollars are funding this service. Please advise whomever it was to have a better tone and approach. Thank you.

Tameraa Michelle

2024-01

Do NOT bring animals here. They will euthanize them due to how full they are. I brought a dog here that was abandoned and I got hung up on for being upset after being told he was killed (I had left my info and informed them I wanted to adopt him, and the lady never even saved my number) Don't trust them ! They kill animals !

A Ducky

2023-05

Wonderful place & people! Highly recommended for at least one visit if you're adopting. They have plenty dogs, cats and bunnies. One guinea pig (this was last week of January 2023).They charge only $25 for a dog, and EVERYTHING is included. Check their website also.. they upload dog & cat pics regularly. I went to see one dog, fell in love with another. Working on my apartment complex letting it in.. coz I prefer bigger dog. Le sigh. Hopefully I'll have my pet soon...and maybe even make a service dog out of it. The staff is very knowledgeable about which dogs fit the criteria for service animals.Overall, I've got nothing but positive about this place. Was treated with respect & kindness throughout.Thanks for saving the animals!!

Joann Rosemon

2020-05

Great animal support Facility. Time to adopt again, was able to adopt my 15th cat with Sonoma County Animal Shelter. Highly recommend you walk in empty-handed and your walk out with guaranteed 20 years of happiness in your arms.

Andrea James

2023-08

Sonoma county is currently suffering from a lack of funds. One of the best thing you can do to help is to either donate or adopt an animal. Apl dog adoptions are sponceted for the month of July and august please adopt don’t shop!! There are so many babies waiting for their forever home. If you think that you can be that person go to the shelter and help. The staff here is amazing and will do anything in there power to help you whether that is surrendering your loved pet so that it can get better help or adopting a pet that has never felt love.

Deborah Hemstock

2024-04

Great staff. Very caring. Took care of licensing and other items all in one visit.

Annika Sabella

2023-05

Although we got a dog from here in 2019, I’m still mad about the experience. This shelter is the reason why I will not adopt another dog and will purchase from ethical breeders only.We went in for a dog, I asked all of the questions you could think of (temperament / health / any issues). They said everything was fine! We paid, and all of a sudden they were handing us her anti-anxiety medication and sedatives because “she was anxious in the kennel”. It turns out she had full blown separation anxiety and was reactive to other dogs - they did not do her justice in placing her with us - she deserved people with knowledge on how to work with behavioral issues and could have someone at home while she decompressed. A few thousand dollars in crates, repairs, vet bills, and years of training later, she can be trusted home alone.Even if you do your research and ask the questions, they’re going to lie to you. There are better shelters and rescues to support - this one is shady.

Benjamin Lyon

2018-05

I adopted my cat here, and have had him for 8 years, so when someone stole my car with him in it I was totally devastated! But later the same day my cat was returned to the shelter by the CHP, and I was shortly reunited with him. Thank you so much for bringing him back to me, I don't know what I would have done without him!

Jennifer Ortiz

2024-01

Very horrible my dog was only there for 7 day and he came home skin and bone and very timid and scared like someone hurt him, not happy

Drew Allen

2023-05

Sonoma County has a new third party "Docu-Pet" (harassment) system that carpet bombs you with misinformation ie "Dog License Expired" because Sonoma County animal control doesn't (they say) "have the staffing" to upload rabies certificates already mandatorily transmitted to them by veterinarians.Dog IS licensed, dog DOES have current Rabies but animal control's sub contractor Docu-pet doesn't have the capacity to integrate this information so they require the dog owner to do their work for them.So that's the vet already having sent it to animal control, now having to send it to the dog owner, who then has to send it to animal control, who already has it, who then must FIND the STAFFING to upload it that they didn't have before.Another totally convoluted system brought to you by indignant public servants."It's the dog owner's responsibility to give us what we already have".

Jennifer Miller

2020-05

I brought a sweet but shy stray dog here like 10 minutes before they closed. I was worried his intake would be rushed but they took their time and we're very kind. I felt awful taking him to the shelter initially. Over the days of his stray hold they tolerated my calls to check on him with kindness. I was not able to adopt him myself but he was adopted so quickly when he became available! I am so appreciative that we have such a wonderful shelter as a resource in our community.PS if you adopted Bishop, thank you! ♥️ tell him he's a good boy for me 😉

Reece Bean24

2023-05

Char is the worst person to talk to. They are charging me 300 to get my dog back when ive never had to pay to get my dog back in three different states. This is a scam and terrible you do this to people. You should feel shamed and embarrassed for your business practices or kidnapping family members and holding them for ransom.Update: picking up my fog i was lied to and treated very unprofessional char and some girl who brought out my bog little blond girl. They harrasted me about How my dog could have been hit by a car when she was on private property my neighbor obviously took her to the shelter to cause me a financial burden and they were loving it. Laughing at me about how I have to pay all this money and how by law they are required to do all this stuff to my dog without my permission. When my dog has been to another shelter and none of this has been required by law I guess it’s only them. To top it all off Shar says to her little assistant I know that she’ll be back don’t worry like they’re hoping I lose my dog again literally the worst people I’ve met in all of animal care.

Amanda Parks

2019-05

Working together with local rescues is how we come together as community to tackle a problem bigger than ourselves. Travis and Megan are wonderful and care about the animals and are easy to work with.

Sarah S

2021-05

Missy was absolutely wonderful when she ran my meet and greet between my roommate’s dog and adoptive pet. Pops (my roommate’s dog) seemed to feel safe the whole time. Missy gave me all the information she knew on the dog I planned on adopting. It was well worth the drive! Thank you to all the staff!

Pamela Fender

2020-05

I don't know if I'm feeling sadder or angrier.We went to the Sonoma County shelter to look at cats last Saturday. We found a cute cat who was very affectionate.We decided to adopt him. I phoned the shelter and told them I was coming up to adopt him. I said I was driving from south Rohnert Park and was going to stop to get litter and food first and I should be there no later than 2 hours from then. She said I should come now and to leave the cat in the car (ironic since they have a sign outside their shelter stating to not leave pets in a car when it's over 70 degrees, which it was!) to get the litter later. I told her I wasn't going to be long and that I didn't want to leave the cat in a hot car. I told her I'd be there no later than 2 hours.When I got there, I went to the cat to see him again and a staff member was taking him out of his crate because a family just adopted him 5 minutes before! I was shocked and humiliated. I told her that Sher knew I was coming up from RP. Too late. I got in my car, crying.I can't believe that's how they conduct their business. I understand that they can't "hold" a pet, but I told her I was driving up there today and when exactly I would be there! We were on the phone for 10 minutes.Why, oh why can't they have a simple policy that when a prospective adopter says they'll be there by 2 pm (or whatever time), that they should hold the pet for that reasonable, determined time. If the prospective adopter doesn't show up, then the pet can be put up for open adoption?I will NEVER, EVER return to the Sonoma County shelter again!P.S. There are other similar reviews on Yelp.

Brittney Light

2021-05

Prices are fair to adopt. Especially because they come with vaccines and are already fixed. Only thing that happened is my mother in laws puppy she adopted had kennel cough so we had to get her treated for that but its expected when adopting from a shelter and it's a easy fix to get rid of. Very happy with our new puppy. ❤🐶

carolyn brew

2023-07

We had to call 4 times finally they came out I am sure they are busy but two neighbor hood dogs got out bit one dog and the manager and the person who owned dogs was trying to leave so manger had to stand in front of her car so she couldn't leave until animal control got here along with sheriff ..They did not take dogs ..This is what happens when you use dogs for protection..And don't train rt .. That's what camera is for..

David Gavrich

2023-05

These guys not only don't answer their phones, but they play a taped loop saying: "Our representatives are handling other calls. We'll be with you shortly". Really? I waited 145 minutes and then the line went dead. The basic technology is available to give County residents the courtesy of knowing how long they'll have to wait. What the hell are we paying all thede taxes for? The County government and our lected officials should be ashamed of themselves for this incompetence and lack of accountability.

Danica Golden

2021-05

This facility lies to people about actually giving animals a chance. I had to give over 2 fosters that I could no longer give the proper care for. I gave them all the information about these dogs, from feral to controlled and trained. They needed more training and were leash reactive especially together but not separate. Etc, then when showing up to the facility they told me they'd be put down immediately if they failed any part of the testing they give them. Which was never disclosed to me before hand. I had no other choice and immediately contacted the rescues who were trying to help me and had them take over. This facility is a high kill shelter so don't take your animal here if it ain't perfect because that's what they expect.

Shirley Strehlow

2023-05

8 yrs. ago, I lost my beloved 20 lb. Tannydog to old age- she was 21 yrs. old - it was time.2 yrs after that, I went to the Century Ct. S.R. shelter to adopt a pet. Found an adorable black puppy there & I was told they didn't know the breed, but guessed she'd be about 20 lbs. full grown. They were funning me - I named my new puppy Muffin.Today, 8 years later, My long haired 85 lb. Belgian Sheepdog takes up bottom half of my bed and eats like a horse! (I also cook her a chicken breast daily). She is my best friend, loving, protective, warm and really fuzzy! Wouldn't trade her for anything! Looking forward to many more years with my best friend ...Update..my beloved Muffin passed away in my arms. She was my friend n protector. I miss her so very much. She was old n it was time. She was buried at the pet cemetery n I still visit her. To date, i have not adopted another dog. Still fondly think of Muffin n occasionally visit her grave. I'm old now too n wouldn't be fair to adopt agzin.

Rici Meffert

2017-05

This shelter does such a great job, especially when you account for how many dogs they have. The people that work there really care about what they do and try their best to help you and the animal you are adopting. I ended up with a small dog from them and when she ended up coming down with a cold (unfortunately pretty common in shelters) they did everything they could to help me. My dog is all I could ask for and I highly recommend this place!

Jessica Goudy

2017-05

This review is long overdue but I cannot say enough about the positive experience I have had with the Sonoma County Animal Shelter. My husband and I got our dog Walker through SCAS at the Pet Food Express adoption fair last October. Their staff was attentive, informed, accommodating, and concerned about the animals that they were caring for. Nan specifically followed up with us more than once to make sure that our experience was going well after we adopted Walker and he has been the greatest addition to our home thus far! They are wonderful and I would absolutely consider adopting with them again in the future. Great work SCAS!

Paul Babbini

2019-05

Rescuing a Cat from the Sonoma County Animal Shelter that needed a forever home was very rewarding.The staff was very helpful and friendly, which made the process of adoption pleasant.I recommend anyone in need of "unconditional love" from a Dog or Cat, to come to this animal shelter. As there are so many that need homes.To save an animal that was abandoned, and provide them a loving home will only enrich your life to the fullest.

Amanda Mikel

2023-05

My experience with this animal shelter has not been the best experience my two dogs or taken from me and are kept at the shelter 4 biting someone in the foot after he kicked my dog and now they are trying to euthanize my dogs and put them down saying that they are vicious my dogs are not vicious my dog's yes they will bite but any dog will bite when they feel threatened or when somebody they don't know comes into their little area there space of course they're going to try to bite and protect their territory now I don't know if my dogs r still in there or not but I hope that they r and that they haven't done anything to my dogs it's been now almost 4 months since they have had my dogs and they won't even allow me to see my dogs.. I just want my nyla back home and hersheys to they shouldn't of even taken my nyla cuz she didn't bite any one .....