Disclaimer: I only stopped by on a whim while in the area to look at the adoptable dogs. We did not end up adopting any so I cannot speak to the adoption process. The location is a bit isolated at the end of a street where it looks like there's some illegal dumping. But the building itself and facilities were very clean. It's honestly either the best shelter I've seen or the one closest SPCA to my home is extra rundown or both... You can stop by without an appointment just to look at the animals. This place does not smell. Really! I'm used to walking in and the shelter reeks of dog or waste. I don't think I saw a single accident. These kennels are all inside. They're glass. The dogs don't immediately cry and bark for attention! They're actually calm and happy for being in a shelter. The shelter has a little bucket of treats. You can help train the dogs to be calm by giving them a treat. What a wonderful idea! The bios are pretty detailed for each animal. They also have a couple in foster care but those bios are in the hallway wall. While we were there we saw they do a schedule and put different shelter dogs together in an outdoor area to play together. Play dates! Great idea for enrichment and to help learn more about an animal. From what I saw, I wish every animal shelter was this nice and all shelter dogs could be this comfortable! read more

My wife and I were excited to meet Molly, a 10-month-old MinPin, and were prepared to adopt a shy, nervous dog. We have a well socialized Shepard mix, own our home, no kids, etc., etc. Filled out adoption paperwork, and over the course of a few days, we took time off work multiple times to fit the shelter's hour overlap w/ a 9-to-5. First, we were asked to return to introduce our resident dog. Then we were told Molly had been spayed and to come back later. After that, we were told she hadn't recovered well from the procedure and needed time. All delays were COMPLETELY understandable... but we expected that, once we finally met her, the staff would invest the time needed for a proper introduction. When we finally met Molly, she was understandably nervous around unfamiliar people. During her introduction to our well-socialized 50-pound Shepherd mix, Molly raised her lips and growled - completely expected behavior from a shy, unsocialized 10mo old living in a shelter. An SPCA volunteer who works w/ Molly was present and confirmed Molly has had little interaction with people outside of this particular volunteer. Given the background, and our willingness, I expected we would spend 20 to 30 minutes allowing Molly to become more comfortable and see if she would adjust/if the situation would be possible. Instead, a staff member overseeing us, Nicole, remained very apprehensive throughout the interaction. After only a few minutes, she told us, "There's no way this is going to work in a home with such a shy and nervous dog." She also expressed concern that if Molly were adopted and later bit someone, the adopter could sue. I responded that we were specifically looking to provide a patient, stable home for a nervous puppy and help her build confidence through training and socialization... and in fact, that we had done this with our current rescue (who had been returned to the Humane Society twice for "nipping" prior to us adopting). I also questioned whether adoption paperwork/California truly places liability with the individual working for the SPCA... thinking this was a bizarre tactic rather than just saying "no" two days earlier.. Nicole reiterated that California is "a very litigious state"and that this was a concern. I literally could not believe what I was hearing.. don't know if she panicked and needed to say something random.. but this was very lame. Disappointing me the most, and my primary complaint... this interaction ended after only about 5-10 minutes. No way this exceeded 10mins, not even close. There were 0 signs of major red flags, just a very shy puppy who had been living in a concrete/metal cage her whole life.. It never felt like Molly was given an honest opportunity to become comfortable with us or our dog. And to add.. the volunteer who regularly works with Molly seemed to agree with our concerns about how the introduction had been handled. Hell, we would have been willing to come back a few more times if that's what Molly needed for adjustment. I fully support shelters being cautious and making thoughtful adoption decisions. But when you make an appointment, grow a little attachment, prove that you're wanting and willing to get a thorough meet... and then the staff don't do their job (in my eyes at least)... big time bummer. Not every adoption is the right fit, and safety should always come first. In this case, the decision had already been made before Molly was given a real chance to interact with us. Multiple trips, rearranging our work schedules, and coming prepared to adopt a shy dog, we left feeling that the process was rushed and that very little effort was made to facilitate a proper introduction. Truly a bummer for Molly. I hope Molly finds a good home, she def. needs patience, incremental socialization, her own calm area.. and lots of love. To the SC SPCA, don't hesitate to call us back if you can't find a home for Molly. read more

These are some of the most dedicated animal rights advocates in this county. I've volunteered years ago and was always amazed at their dedication to the small animals they rescue. If you're looking for a cat or smaller dog this is the place to go! read more

We adopted a cute 5 month old kitten from SPCA Santa Cruz, and could not be happier! The staff and volunteers were all very friendly, helpful and informative. They were transparent about any potential health and behavior issues of the other kittens we were looking at. Thank you SPCA SC! read more

Santa Cruz SPCA - Kitten - Animal Shelters Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Very great I have my dogs spayed and she did well and it was very cheap. If you can't afford to fix your dog go to the SPCA only $$150 to spay microchip and give her her shots read more

My mom adopted a dog at the Santa Cruz SPCA. From start to finish, our experience was superb. My mom's last dog died fairly young of a genetic condition. I knew she missed the companionship of her little girl, so I kept my eye on various shelter and rescue websites, looking for a dog I thought would be a good match. I saw a posting on the Santa Cruz SPCA website and my mom was very interested. The information and instructions on the Santa Cruz SPCA website are clear and complete. My mom filled out and submitted the online application and immediately received an automated email letting her know the application was received. Within the hour, she received a second email letting her know that her application had been approved and asking her to call to talk about the dog that interested her and to set up a meet and greet for the next day. My mom called and set up the appointment. When we arrived the next day, there was ample parking and the building doors were all clearly labeled so we knew where to go. We were greeted by a friendly staff member who recognized my mom's name and knew which dog she was there to meet, even though this was not the same staff member who had emailed with my mom. She went to tell the staff member who was working with us that we had arrived. We were taken to a very nice outdoor enclosure/play area, then the staff member went to get the dog. She let us know that the dog took time to warm up to people, so she gave us some treats to smooth the way. Once the dog was with us, we had plenty of time to interact with her and to ask questions of the staff member. The staff member also gave us all of the information she had about our prospective new family member. We learned that another family had been at the shelter that morning, waiting for them to open. They wanted to meet "our" dog. The staff stuck to their process, which is described on the website. We had the appointment, so the dog was on hold and not available for a meet and greet with anyone else. The dog we were meeting was an adult dog, so there is an option to foster to adopt, but my mom liked the dog and the dog liked her, so she adopted her outright. We went back inside where we were given all of the dog's health records, signed a contract, and paid the adoption fee. The fee was $200, which is lower than many rescue organizations in the Bay Area. We were given a blanket the dog had been using, so she would have something familiar; a toy she liked; food; and the medication she was taking post-spay. I offered to pay extra, at least for the toy, but they only charged me the $200. All of the staff members with whom we interacted at the Santa Cruz SPCA were friendly, but it was also apparent how much they all love the animals in their care. Several people came out to say goodbye to our girl before we took her home. This is an organization well worth supporting, both through donations and adoptions. read more

Love this place! All the lovely dogs and cats and the volunteers and employees are so welcoming. Wish all the animals could get adopted today but it seems very clean and light so it doesn't seem like a bad place to wait in the meantime. read more

we adopted our dream of a cat, benny, from SC SPCA after a month of looking around and trying to reach out to other shelters. the whole process with them was super easy, quick, and pleasant. Liz got back to me within a day of us submitting the online application. we then set up a matchmaking call. Liz was a delight and super helpful throughout the whole process. we picked up Benny later that week. in terms of covid-19, the whole exchange took about 30 seconds right outside of the shelter. Benny was ready in a carrier and they even gave us a week's worth of wet and dry food as well as his bed and a few toys. also due to covid-19, SCSPCA is doing a foster to adopt system. 3 days into our 7-Day foster period we knew that we wanted to finalize the adoption. Liz helped us to complete the rest of the adoption process online, which was also super easy and quick. we are super grateful to SCSPCA! read more

Santa Cruz SPCA - Benny / Ritchie (shelter name) - Animal Shelters Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I adopted my first dog from this shelter as a college student. It's been 5 years since then and I am always reminded why that was the best decision I've ever made. Why the low rating? I returned early this year in hopes of adopted a second dog. I was interested in this yorkie mix puppy but the person who "helped" me made it clear she didn't think I was the right fit. I have a dog friendly office, making it very convenient for me to attend to the puppy since they cannot be alone for more than a couple of hours. The staff member/volunteer didn't seem to agree. So what did she do next? Sitting right next to me, she made a loud phone call to someone who previously expresses interest in adopting the same dog. She left them a very cheery voicemail and said the dog was ready for adoption and to come by whenever if they'd still like to adopt the puppy home. Horrible experience with this particular staff member. read more

I just rescued my lovely 4 legged companion from here a week ago. The front desk staff was amazing and there was absolutely no pressure. They were upfront and honest about the animals from the very beginning. They let me "foster" to adopt for a few days to allow the animal some time to settle in and I could learn some of their quirks. Their facilities were clean very active with volunteers, animals, and students doing their community service work. THANK YOU! read more

I really can't say enough. The SPCA has done so much for us, including saving our newest family member. He came to you a stray, and you provided him a safe place to grow and learn. You helped him stay healthy, warm and loved. I can't thank you enough. We are so thankful to you, as is Barney (now called Houdini). Thank you so much and just know: you too will always be apart of our family. read more

Santa Cruz SPCA - Thank you for being a friend! - Animal Shelters Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Very caring staff and they do so many adoptions each month. Many volunteers who are committed to helping the animals thrive until they get adopted to their furever homes. The current shelter facility itself is a rundown little house but that will change soon as they are constructing a brand new shelter a couple doors down in Chanticleer which will be a wonderful upgrade. Meanwhile, they do the best they can with the current space. We adopted our beloved Olive from here last year and she is the sweetest little terrier mix. Always remember, adopt don't shop! read more

Santa Cruz SPCA - Olive 3 - Animal Shelters Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

It used to be a great place to adopt a dog or cat. Ten years ago, I had adopted 2 cats from SPCA. I was ready to adopt an older heavier cat but the lady in charge made it impossible to do so. I guess they want to keep their pets more than I wanted to provide a nice home again. As one of my neighbors put it, "pets with me have won the pet lottery." I guess not this time. The only bitch to deal with at the SPCA is the one in charge at the desk. read more

My fiance and I recently adopted Toot, a 7-month old terrier. I wouldn't say that the experience was bad or good. I think that it is unfortunate that there is not enough funding to maybe fix the floors or clean up a bit. The staff was not rude but not extremely helpful either, they let you take a look and if you want to see or play with a pet you can ask. I think it would be great if they maybe opened a window or some blinds to let some fresh air flow through. When we got Toot, he was in great condition. He had alot of mangy hair so we groomed him right away, this made a huge difference in his attitude. We took him to the vet for his rabies and an overall checkup. For being in the shelter for 5 months the vet said he was in great overall health, only some buildup in his teeth. I think the shelter definitely has a through process and they try to give you the most information they can. It was helpful to have his records and license all packaged and taken care of. Overall, we are happy with Toot. I am unsure if I would recommend someone directly to the Chanticleer Ave shelter. I would first recommend them to the 7th Ave shelter. read more

Santa Cruz SPCA - This is Toot, adopted 02/10/2013. We adore him! - Animal Shelters Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

We adopted a sweet female dog that has the most incredibly loving, gentle, non-barky personality of any dog I've ever experienced in person. She is the perfect companion dog for me and the Santa Cruz SPCA did an incredible job of facilitating the adoption with speed and thoroughness. I highly, HIGHLY recommend that EVERYONE who desires to have a pet go to the Santa Cruz SPCA and bring home one of these wonderful dogs or cats as they are so deserving of love and care and they will reciprocate 10-fold to make you the happiest pet-owner ever!!! read more

My mom and I adopted a pair of kittens who had medical issues the staff denied knowing anything about. They both had very lose poops and the male had a distinct cough which I noticed from the first day we brought them home. Since it was a foster to adopt, they did attempt to treat them that first week, but weeks after the adoption was finalized, these cats are still sick! What's worse is, now our other cat is showing signs of being sick as well. I don't understand why they would send sick cats home to be around other animals. Don't they do health checks on these animals before they send them to a home with other pets? I would not adopt from them again, it's been very discouraging when you want to help animals that need it. btw we love our cats and wouldn't trade them. read more

We had the most incredible experience with the staff at the SPCA Santa Cruz location. Huge HUGE shout out to Erlana and Jordy for their care and patience with my boyfriend and me. Unfortunately, we were unable to adopt the dog we fell in love with, Grover. Grover is the epitome of the ideal small dog: not a rat-dog, but a cuddly yet very playful pup who would have done great in our home! .... if we didn't have a cat. We traveled all the way from Redwood City to meet and adopt little Grover. During our time at the shelter, Erlana patiently talked with us and basically gave us a big download of info and feedback on our dog selection and particular concern about our cat. We felt like we were the very first and only adopters who ever walked through the door. Amazing!! She was incredibly empathetic and took her time to make sure we made the right decision for our home. I'm sure the staff face a ton of challenges in their job; all we felt was the love of the animals. When we got Grover all the way back home to Redwood City, it was clear he was a lot more of a "chaser" than we realized. He was barking manically at the cat and was lunging at him while on lead. Our cat, on the other hand, kept coming around over and over again, trying to get close to the dog (what's wrong with our cat??). If it was going to work out between these two, it would have been because we have the most chill and confident and forgiving cat in the world - he amazed us. Unfortunately, little Grover just got too worked up and we decided it was too selfish to push it - our cat "has it good" at home and loves being with his people, and we only want a dog that will allow our cat to continue being happy. So we turned right around and made the long haul back to SC. Yeah. Nearly 4.5 hrs of time on the road in one day. When we returned to the SPCA, the staff welcomed us back, and kindly assured us that the right dog is out there for us to parent. I left literally in tears having to leave our little Grover, but we felt it really important that these wonderful people of the SPCA get the recognition and respect that they deserve - hence the long review. Thank you Erlana & Jordy & team!! read more

Not only are rhetorical staff kind and helpful, but the have a really great humane education program. My niece went to the summer camp and was able to met all kinds of beautiful animals -- not just cats and dogs but also some friendly little farm animals. It helped build her confidence around different kinds of animals in a way we could not, and we really appreciate it. read more

I had a really bad experience here, when I walked in with my 2 year old the 2 ladies working there just looked at me no greeting, I was asking questions about a little dog I was interested in, they told me they didn't think I was a good fit for the dog because the dog wasn't kid friend, right after this mom and her daughter came in and they told them she's available and ready to adopt. The whole time I was thrown to the side they didn't even want to help me. Never again will I consider adopting a pup from here. read more

My husband and I would like to thank the staff for taking such great care of our kitty before he was ours. We appreciated how quick and easy the adoption process was and enjoyed visiting with the other animals there while we filled out the paperwork. The only reason I can't give a full five stars is because of the attitude of some of the staff we have encountered on return visits. I get that caring for so many animals is stressful and sometimes you have to deal with difficult people, but I find it hard to want to keep coming back when as soon as you walk in the door you're greeted with an unfriendly "can I help you?..." read more

I had an incredible experience with the Santa Cruz SPCA. I adopted my little 3-year old Shih Tzu dog a few months ago. He's been wonderful, and I never knew I could love a little animal so much! I saw him at the SPCA store in the Capitola Mall, so I'm not sure what the shelter conditions are like. The staff and volunteers were a wealth of information. I told them it was my first dog, and they took the time to explain how to properly take care of him -- lots of great information! They even sent me his X-rays after from the vet just so I would have the full medical record. With that said, I did a lot of research on adoption and rescue dogs (including the Shih Tzu breed) before deciding to adopt. It's common for humane societies and animal shelters to thoroughly vet potential adoptees so they know that animals will go to a good home. I also knew that rescue dogs may come with some sort of behavioral issues so I was ready to take my dog to training and obedience classes. It's the sort of thing that you have to expect with rescues - and part of what makes a good owner. The SPCA also has a free trainer that owners can get advice from - they're really making great strides to ensure that owners keep the animals we adopt (since a lot of animals are returned due to behavioral problems). read more

Okay, I hate saying anything bad about an organization that helps and rescues animals, but I had such a bad experience I think it warrants mention. Last spring I was looking to adopt a kitten. I definitely wanted to get one from a shelter. The Santa Cruz SPCA seemed to have a million kittens listed on petfinder.com so I thought it would be worth driving out there from Monterey. I arrive to find that the SPCA is basically in a converted house. Everything seems a bit ramshackle. I go inside and there are dogs running around all over the place. There are multiple people working at desks, but they all seem to be on the phone and don't acknowledge that I just walked in. I wait patiently. Somebody else comes in behind me, and when the first person at a desk gets off the phone, they proceed to help the person who came in after me and ignore me. Turns out it's a little old lady type who claims she doesn't have food to feed her pets. The SPCA staff is really rude to her, and yell at her for not coming on the right day/time for free food. Meanwhile another conversation is going on between someone and another staff person. It sounds like they had adopted a kitten but it got sick so they had brought it back a previous day. The staff person had said something about how they had been keeping it in the BATHROOM b/c it was probably contagious. Well the person wanted to pick up the bed/collar/etc that they'd brought in with the cat previously, but the staff person couldn't find them and suggested they'd probably been thrown out?!?! Finally someone asks me if I need assistance. I say that I'm interested in adopting a kitten, and she briskly tells me to read their info flyer. I let her know that I already had, and that I actually wanted to SEE the kittens. She looks annoyed and says something like "hmmm, where are the kittens...." ????? And has me follow her to the back. Turns out there are a couple kittens are in a little plastic carrier sitting on a desk in another room. There's already people crowded into the room and I can't even get past the doorway to get inside. The staff lady leaves me there, and walks away. I wait a couple minutes thinking that if I'd already come this far, I might as well see the kittens, but then I come to my senses and realize this whole situation is RIDICULOUS, so I walked out, and never looked back. Maybe they've improved over the last year, but I'd suggest perhaps trying other shelters first. read more

I adopted a dog from here very recently. I love her to death, so I'm not unhappy I adopted her (nor would I bring her back to this place as the rude lady on the phone suggested when I called to voice my complaints) but through my experience it has become more and more obvious how little care is taken of these dogs. I went three times to see the dog I adopted, taking her home on the third day. I mentioned on the 2nd visit she was wheezing / hyperventilating. They said it was probably excitement, but worst case Kennel Cough which was easily treatable and covered in the month of insurance I would receive with my adoption fee ($200 + registration) In between the second and third time she was spayed, their vet put her under general anesthesia even though she was having respiratory problems and didn't treat the Kennel Cough. I should also mention that these dogs spend most of their day running around in a yard licking, biting, rolling around with each other which seems adorable when you see it, but obviously is not adorable if they aren't isolating or treating dogs with contagious diseases. I'm talking about somewhere between 40-60 dogs. I took her home, was given a bottle of pain pills for the pain from the surgery, with another animals name scraped off, and a sticker with her name haphazardly stuck on. Within a few days she declined significantly and I took her to my vet. She had pneumonia from an untreated respiratory infection. I had seen on the "insurance" respiratory infection was something they paid for, but looking closer I discovered pneumonia was a specific exception. Luckily, it was early. She is doing pretty badly right now, but we expect her to recover. All of the bills are of course being payed out of my pocket. I know have a pet is expensive, but I definitely didn't expect to outlay this much for medical bills given their assurance I was covered for30 days by their insurance. The final kick in the gut was when I called the SPCA to tell them what had happened. I expected at the very least for them to be concerned about their other dogs if they do have an outbreak. But the woman who answered was snotty to me, insulted my vet (who I have used for my cat for some time and have always been happy with), told me "all of these dogs were marked for death" anyway. I assume she meant, the shelters they took them from were ready to euthanize them but it was a creepy statement, and basically give her back or don't whine. Again, I know things happen to dogs, I know it can be expensive, but their refusal to take any responsibility in the situation and greatly misleading me about the 30 day insurance was deplorable. They clearly have more dogs than they can handle, and they are supposed to be the ones who protect neglected animals. The only thing I am happy about is that I adopted her because with so many dogs and they fact that they had not treated her for anything so far, I'm not sure she would have made it if I hadn't gotten her out of there, and she is truly sweet and deserving of a nice life. read more

I had a great experience adopting my new dog pal, Priscilla, over the past couple of weeks. As soon as I met her I knew she was the one! I called the shelter a few days later and they informed me that she was being spayed and that she had some tumors as well. The staff was extremely helpful and answered any questions I had to the furthest extent of their knowledge about her condition and healing. Mandi assisted with the finalization of the adoption and again was so helpful and made sure I had all the proper information I needed. I can't wait until Priscilla is all healed up and ready for a life of long walks, cuddles and cute sweaters. Every staff member I met is really dedicated to these sweet animals and they were all so well cared for. I am so grateful that this place exists. read more

Everyone who works here seems to share in the love of animals. Thank GOD! Please donate to this shelter! They are truly doing an incredible job.. read more

We had a great experience adopting from the Santa Cruz SPCA. The staff was terrific both at the Capitola Mall location and at this shelter location. We dealt with several different people who were all helpful. Our poor guy had spent a year or so in another shelter and 10 months at the SPCA. You might think that much time without a family home would be rough for a dog - especially an older one - but he was in good shape coming home, and he's settled in very nicely. He needed a few things from the vet: a shot, a heartworm test, and a teeth cleaning. There were no surprises, though. The records from the SPCA were clear, and he didn't need anything that I would have expected an organization of their size to provide. read more

My boyfriend and I went here today at 4 pm for the volunteer orientation, and were both very, very excited by what we found. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful to the prospective volunteers and, most importantly, so loving towards the animals. The premises is small, but that hardly matters as all the animals are clean, well fed and watered, exercised, played with, and happy. Plus since both my boyfriend and I are students at Cabrillo, it was a great bonus for us that they don't require volunteers to stick to a strict weekly schedule. We plan on coming in two-three days every week. We can't wait to start volunteering here c: read more

2 stars are for the shelter being clean. They do their best to keep it very clean and that shows.... As for the staff... Well, they seem to like animals... Understand them... No. The staff seems to treat the animals like objects that all fall into the same categories, instead of individual beings. Their lack of understanding leads to lack of compassion in my experience at this shelter. read more

Oh my gosh! I didn't realize how many kittens they can have at one time. And they are ALL CUTE!!! I had my husband choose one for us, it was too hard for me to choose. Out kitty is wonderful, full of energy. We've had him for 5 months now and love him to pieces! Please adopt if you can! You will receive a lot of kitty love :) read more

I love our SPCA! We love our pets and they make our lives so special. We just adopted our newest family member, Little Prince (formerly known as Maurice). The caring staff at the SPCA were very helpful finding the right match. We recently lost our sweet Ramona dog (she was also adopted from the SPCA). We wanted a companion and beach walking buddy for our poodle. There are many dogs, but Prince was the best match! They are great friends and Prince gives us so many kisses everyday! We love him so! He loves us right back! Thank you for sheltering Prince until we could adopt him. How fortunate we are to have such a great SPCA in Santa Cruz. read more

Santa Cruz SPCA - Prince sleeping with his favorite cat, Cosmo - Animal Shelters Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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We recently found our new best friend at the SPCA in the Capitola mall! What a wonderful experience. Tonya went well above expectations to help us find the right fit for our whole family. Echo (Dudley formerly) has become fast friends with both our other dog and cat. We had all been feeling the recent loss of our senior dog, and Echo's youthful antics definitely enliven us all. read more

Santa Cruz SPCA - Our new best friend, you should see how cute he is now after a day at the spa! - Animal Shelters Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

The Santa Cruz SPCA is great - they are small, but they are mighty!! Most of their animals come from other shelters that are overloaded and the Santa Cruz SPCA has saved hundreds, if not thousands of these animals that would otherwise face an unfortunate death. Their staff is very competent and thorough in ensuring that the animals that they do adopt will be going to loving, caring and well-suited forever homes. They do the best work they can given the facility they are in; however, they could definitely use more space. I know they are trying to raise money for a new facility down the street - great idea!! Support the Santa Cruz SPCA; they don't get any outside funding and exist solely on private donations. Help them help the animals! read more

The people here are unbelievably rude. They make both potential adopters and volunteers feel like they are just an annoying intrusion and need to go away. They seem oblivious to how their blank stares and no response to questions comes across to visitors. The office reeks of dog feces and there is urine everywhere. Small unkempt dogs roam freely with little attempt at house -training. .I have heard from several people who were so turned of by the horrible attitudes and the nasty office that they left and never came back. The staff need s to get a clue and learn the basics in relating to people if they are interested in maintaining this shelter with public help. read more

Tanya is the best! Her service made us feel really welcome and I definitely would come back to see her!

We had an amazing experience adopting our new family member Pepper (formally Pepsi) from the SPCA. All the staff were so helpful, particularly Tina who guided us through the whole process. They were very understanding of what we were looking for in our new addition, and helped us meet Pepper, who we then fostered, and decided she was the perfect fit for us. It was so clear how much they care about the animals under their care, and I received so much support from those who got to know Pepper during her long stay at the SPCA :) I literally cannot imagine my life without Pepper in it, and I will be eternally grateful to the SPCA for connecting me with my new little soulmate. read more

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We adopted an older dog, Buster (Winter) from here. He has been a great addition to our family. The staff here were very helpful, as we had concerns on how he was going to interact with our cat. They brought Buster into the cat room for us to see his reaction (curious as in he wanted to play with them); gave us suggestions on how to introduce the two of them. The also explained that he was deaf and that he was recently returned from someone who had adopted him and had him in there home for 2 weeks but returned because he "ignored them". They made sure that we knew what we were getting into and gave us many suggestions for book on how to work with your deaf dog. We have taken him camping, fishing, and we are working with him using sign language/hand signals. Best part of all he and the cat are buddies and have been caught snuggling on the bed. He is a great addition to our family. Thank you SCSPCA for your diligence and patience with us and Buster. read more

I found the staff to be very knowledgeable, friendly and approachable. I did not experience want Carol B. Kim S. or Cordelia W posted. The two times I was there a number of volunteers and dog walkers were there, all happy to talk to me share what they know about each of the dogs. Look if you're looking for a pet, go to the SPCA and do the right thing. read more

I came in and asked at least 3 people the same question, "Can I get a cat to be a friend for my indoor cat, that will play with him"? I said this was the "top" priority and if no was the answer, then I do not want to get one. After waiting around for over 30 minutes, filling out a form, seeing two staff members, and a long discussion, the manager lady, she "rudely" said no, we will not let you get a cat here for just a companion animal. She said it like I was a criminal for asking this. "Un believably rude". Maybe the people that work here should read these reviews. They make potential adopters feel like they are just an intrusion. The office smells of dog urine. Two small dogs roam the office freely and the staff seemed more interested in them than customers in the area. I have heard many people say how horrible the attitudes are of the staff and say they will never came back, including me. The staff need training on people skills and should learn the basics in relating to people. read more

I adopted my dog from the Santa Cruz SPCA in March 2011. The staff there was so helpful, dedicated, and nice! My dog was approx 2.5 months old at the time and they explained all of the important factors in owning a puppy. I liked the fact they required proof of puppy class completion after I had adopted my puppy, because it showed that they care about the animal's future once they leave the shelter. They are thorough with their applicants to make sure they are a good fit for the potential pet. They don't just allow just anyone to adopt, which is good. It shows they aren't in it for the money. I love that they are a no kill shelter and try help as many animals as they can. They have saved the lives of so many cats and dogs from all over, not just Santa Cruz County. I remember there was a time I went to visit and I heard the story about where these 5 precious kittens had come from. They were 6 week old stray feral gray and white kittens found in Santa Cruz. Originally the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter had them, but they believed they were too feral for anyone to ever adopt them so they were going to put them down. When the SPCA heard about it, they had the kittens transferred to the SPCA. The staff there worked everyday with these kittens to socialize them and give them a chance to have a loving home. The SPCA never gave up on them and with a few weeks of hard work, the kittens went from feral, scared, and skittish kittens to friendly, loving, playful kittens and all 5 were adopted!! Sassafras was my favor! I'll never forget her to this day! I've been so grateful with my experiences at the Santa Cruz SPCA that I have tried to be continuously involved with as many SC SPCA events I can. I was even inspired to volunteer. I check their website weekly to see who has been added so I can spread the word of what adorable, sweet, loving pets they have available for adoption. I'm excited for the new facility to be built!!! It's well deserved! I want to say please keep up the great work! Thank you for providing so many people with the opportunity to have one of the greatest best friends and companion a person can have. read more

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We found big love at the SPCA, and have a friend for life. They care about their buddies and want to make sure they find great homes. We are glad they were there to help us find one of our best friends! read more

Santa Cruz SPCA - We met our best friend, Huckleberry, at the Santa Cruz SPCA - Animal Shelters Near Me - Santa Cruz, California