Adopt Don't Shop – Best Animal Shelters in the Bay Area
Your future best friend is waiting to meet you! What better companion to curl up with at home, bring out with the crew, hit the beach with... or anything, really. Adopt, don't shop, and give your new bestie the home of their dreams.
SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco Animal Care & Control
1419 Bryant St // Mission
This taxpayer-funded shelter is the newest addition to SF's shelters and stands at a whopping 65,000 square feet in the Mission. In addition to adoption, you can also report a lost pet, go for pet training and obtain a commercial dog walker’s license.
San Francisco SPCA Mission Adoption Center
250 Florida St // Mission
With one of the largest selections of cats and dogs in the Bay Area, this place is a one-stop shop for adoption, veterinary and behavioral services. Check out the newest adoptable animals through the SPCA Webcams on its website.
Family Dog Rescue
2253 Shafter Ave // Bernal Heights
Family Dog Rescue is all about caring for dogs who need a second chance. As a shelter and foster program, this rescue takes in dogs of all kinds, including street dogs and dogs with disabilities, and provides them with medical care and behavioral analysis.
Muttville
255 Alabama St // Mission
Senior dogs typically have the hardest time getting adopted, so Muttville has taken on the mission of caring for senior dogs and finding them homes. A perfect place for senior humans to adopt, who might not have the energy to care for a puppy.
Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue
1591 Sloat Blvd // Sunset
Want to adopt a kitty, but still nervous about showing up in person? Give Me Shelter is still handling virtual adoptions and can set up a meet and greet with the cat of your dreams.
International Paw Angels
San Francisco
International Paw Angels works with animal rescuers in China that save cats and dogs from the streets and slaughterhouses. Your donations go towards rescuing and transporting the animals from China to the US to be adopted into their forever homes.
EAST BAY
Rocket Dog Rescue
3561 Foothill Blvd // Oakland
As a shelter supported completely by volunteers and donations, Rocket Dog Rescue ensures that your contributions go directly toward helping the dogs themselves. If you’re interested in attending one of the shelter’s Virtual Saturday Adoption Events, check out its website for more information.
Berkeley Humane
2700 Ninth St // Berkeley
Berkeley Humane has been around for 125 years, and it’s still going strong! Not only can you adopt a dog or cat, but you can also get them spayed and neutered, and vaccinated for a low cost on special Clinic Days each year.
Hopalong Animal Rescue
945 22nd Ave // Oakland
Hopalong Animal Rescue has one admirable mission: to stop the euthanasia of adoptable animals in Northern California. This shelter has saved tens of thousands of animals over the past 25 years, and accepts both elderly and special-needs animals. Hopalong even has a Pet Survivor Program, a unique program for accepting animals whose owners have passed away or been put in special care themselves.
Oakland Animal Services
1101 29th Ave // Oakland
This public shelter accepts thousands of animals each year, so if you are looking for a wide selection, this would be the place to find it. Check out the website, and you’ll find tons of local resources from low-cost veterinary services to recommendations of dog-friendly parks.
East Bay SPCA
8323 Baldwin St // Oakland
As one of the oldest shelters in the country, East Bay SPCA has been serving the community’s animals for almost 150 years! While the shelter’s events have slowed down during the pandemic, East Bay SPCA is known for hosting an Adopt-a-thon every year in Oakland’s Jack London Square, among other programs.
Friends of The Alameda Animal Shelter
1590 Fortmann Way // Alameda
Started as a small group of volunteers, this animal shelter has now grown to have full-time staff and an adorable selection of cats, dogs and small animals. FAAS is also opening a thrift store, which should be a fun addition, and is currently voting on names for the store. So go to the shelter’s website and vote for your favorite name!
Hayward Animal Shelter
16 Barnes Ct // Hayward
Are you thinking about adopting, but maybe want to give it a test run first? With the Hayward Animal Shelter’s Short Term Foster program, you can do just that if you sign up online. If you already have a pet, the shelter has some great internet resources for that as well, including behavioral help resources and low-cost spay/neuter vouchers.
Berkeley Animal Care Services
1 Bolivar Dr // Berkeley
Berkeley Animal Care Services is not just a public enforcement agency. It’s also a shelter that oversees pet adoption, missing pet reports and low-cost spay/neuter vouchers for Berkeley residents. While the shelter itself is closed during the pandemic, it continues to provide all of its regular services to local animals and humans.
NORTH BAY
North Bay Animal Services
840 Hopper St // Petaluma
For those living in Sonoma County who want to adopt, North Bay Animals Services has got you covered. Along with basic spay/neuter services, this shelter also provides dog licenses to several nearby cities and towns, and holds humane education classes, including one aimed at kids.
Humane Society of the North Bay
1121 Sonoma Blvd // Vallejo
While Humane Society of the North Bay is not a public organization, this shelter does have a contract with the city of Vallejo. Perfect for the potential pet owner who wants to help out the community by adopting a local stray animal. In addition, the Humane Society provides basic pet ownership resources and outlines step-by-step on its website how the shelter can help if your pet has gone missing recently.
SOUTH BAY + PENINSULA
Pets In Need Redwood City
871 Fifth Ave // Redwood City
This shelter is part of the no-kill movement, and it accepts all cats and dogs in order to rescue these animals from euthanasia and reduce pet homelessness in the Bay Area. The Cause for Big Paws program is aimed at saving big dogs from being put down, so if you’re looking for a sizable canine companion, Pets In Need is the place to be.
C.A.R.E. Companion Animal Rescue Effort
1080 Saratoga Ave # 3 // San Jose
C.A.R.E. has just about everything a pet owner needs to start, from veterinarians to pet training classes. This shelter has a robust fostering program as well and encourages any pet lovers in San Jose to serve as a foster parent. If you’d like to volunteer, you will be provided with pet food, supplies and another C.A.R.E. foster parent as a mentor.
