San Diego County Animal Services: Shelters, Lost Pets, Dog Licenses and Reporting
San Diego County Animal Services provides animal control and dog licensing for the county's unincorporated areas. Its North and South shelters also offer adoption, lost-pet services and scheduled vaccination and microchip clinics. Before reporting an incident or applying for a license, confirm which agency serves the address.
Animal emergency in unincorporated San Diego County: Call 619-236-2341, available 24 hours a day. For an immediate human life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Independent guide. This website is not affiliated with County Animal Services. Use the linked official sources for current service areas, hours, fees and application requirements. Submit applications, reports and payments through official channels.
Does County Animal Services Serve Your Address?
The County's animal control and licensing jurisdiction covers unincorporated San Diego County. A city name in a mailing address does not necessarily place the property within that city's boundaries.
Start with the animal control agency lookup linked from the official shelter and service-area page. It organizes agencies by ZIP Code. If the result is unclear or the address is near a city boundary, ask the agency to confirm the exact location. A ZIP Code alone is not proof of municipal jurisdiction.
The County page specifically directs animal-related matters in Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Santee, San Diego and Solana Beach to San Diego Humane Society. These are not the only incorporated cities in the county, so use the agency lookup for other locations as well. Our Humane Society guide covers that organization separately.
The North Shelter's Carlsbad address does not mean the County handles animal control within the City of Carlsbad. Shelter location and enforcement jurisdiction are separate.
Report an Animal Emergency or Welfare Concern
| Situation | Contact |
|---|---|
| Animal-related emergency in unincorporated areas, including an injured or sick animal, active cruelty, an aggressive animal or a bite to a person | 619-236-2341, available 24/7 |
| Immediate danger to human life | 911 |
| Routine questions and non-emergency business | 619-767-2675; published business phone hours are Thursday–Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., excluding County holidays |
| Routine written inquiry | Use the contact option on the official contact page |
Do not email an emergency that is happening now. For an incident outside County jurisdiction, contact the animal services agency responsible for that location.
Information to provide
- The exact incident address or location, including the ZIP Code.
- The animal's description, condition and behavior.
- What you observed and when it happened.
- Your contact information.
- An existing activity number, animal ID or dog license number, if available.
The department prioritizes calls involving injured or threatening animals and cruelty over reports of healthy, nonthreatening loose animals. Its abuse, neglect and aggressive-animal reporting page explains the process. The department states that a reporter's identity can be kept confidential in some circumstances; do not assume confidentiality is automatic.
Officers investigate reported conditions and may use education, corrective requirements, citations or other enforcement measures. Serious cases may be referred for prosecution. For details about notices and administrative actions, consult the official enforcement explanation.
County Shelters and Visiting Hours
| Shelter | Address | Business phone |
|---|---|---|
| North Shelter | 2481 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011 | 619-767-2675 |
| South Shelter | 5821 Sweetwater Road, Bonita, CA 91902 | 619-767-2675 |
The shelter directory lists public hours as Thursday–Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., with closures on Wednesdays and County holidays. Adoption service closes at 4:30 p.m.
Shelter visits, business phone inquiries and clinic appointments can have different availability and requirements. Check the official shelter directory and the instructions for your service before traveling.
Find and Reclaim a Lost Pet
Search beyond a single shelter
Start with the County lost-and-found page, which links to shelter animal searches and PawBoost reporting. The department states that a stray animal's photograph is posted by the end of the business day it enters a County shelter.
Check repeatedly. A pet may arrive after your first search. The County recommends contacting all shelters within 20 miles of where the animal was lost, including municipal and nonprofit shelters outside the County system.
Search using the animal's appearance and location, and save any matching animal ID, kennel number or tag number. If your pet is microchipped, make sure the registration contact details are current.
Act promptly
The department publishes a three-day holding period for animals without a license tag or microchip, and five business days when the owner can be identified. It also notes that suffering injured or diseased animals may be held for fewer days. Contact the shelter promptly about a possible match rather than treating a published holding period as a reason to wait.
Arrange a reclaim appointment
Call 619-767-2675 before visiting to reclaim a pet. Prepare:
- The animal's identifying details from the shelter listing.
- Proof of ownership, such as photographs or veterinary records.
- Current rabies vaccination and dog license records, when applicable.
- A leash for a dog or a secure carrier for a small animal.
- Payment for applicable impoundment, care, medical or licensing charges.
The County lists cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard as payment options for reclaim charges. A dog lacking current vaccination or licensing documentation may need those requirements addressed before release. If the shelter treated an injury, ask for the available treatment information and arrange follow-up with your veterinarian.
Adopt From a County Shelter
Browse the official adoption listings. Select North Shelter, South Shelter or All Shelters before searching; leaving the shelter selection blank may produce an error.
Write down the animal ID, kennel and tag details for pets you want to meet. Most shelter animals are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so an online listing does not reserve a pet. Recheck availability before leaving and allow time to complete the process before the 4:30 p.m. adoption cutoff.
Foster animals need a separate meeting arrangement
A kennel code containing SFOST or NFOST means the animal is in a foster home. Email dasplacement@sdcounty.ca.gov to arrange a meeting rather than expecting the animal to be at the shelter.
For animals at the shelter, give the identifying information to the greeter and follow staff instructions for the application. Use a special adoption form only when the department tells you it is required.
Dog Licenses Through DocuPet
County dog licensing is available to residents of unincorporated San Diego County. The department partners with DocuPet for licensing. Begin with the official County dog license page or its linked San Diego County DocuPet portal.
The County requires a dog's first license before it reaches five months of age. For a dog older than five months moving into the service area, the published deadline is within 30 days of the move. Indoor dogs are also subject to licensing requirements.
Documents and application methods
You need proof of a current rabies vaccination. For online applications, have a copy of the vaccination certificate ready. For mail applications or renewals, obtain the current mailing and payment instructions through DocuPet.
If a serious medical condition prevents vaccination, review the rabies exemption request linked from the County licensing page rather than assuming the licensing requirement no longer applies.
Published license fees
| Dog status | One year | Two years | Three years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spayed or neutered | $20 | $35 | $50 |
| Unaltered | $60 | $100 | $150 |
The County lists a $25 late renewal fee. A replacement tag costs $10 and can be ordered through your DocuPet account. Check the current instructions before paying.
Keep your account address and contact information current. The licensing page directs account updates to DocuPet at 1-877-239-6072 or info@docupet.com.
Vaccines, Microchips and Other Pet Services
The official clinic page provides the appointment link, current schedule and available services.
| Visit type | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-in | Thursday | 2–4:30 p.m. |
| Appointment only | Monday | Noon–4 p.m. |
| Appointment only | Tuesday | 2–4 p.m. |
| Appointment only | Friday | Noon–4 p.m. |
Confirm the appointment location and check for service changes before traveling. Appointments are limited to two animals. Dogs must be leashed; cats and rabbits must arrive in secure carriers.
Fees and available vaccines
The clinic page lists $25 per microchip and $20 per vaccination. It also states that a $65 fee applies to customers who do not reside in unincorporated San Diego County. Confirm how that fee applies and the total charge when arranging service.
- Dogs: Rabies, DAPP and Bordetella.
- Cats: Rabies and FVRCP.
- Rabbits: RHDV2.
Keep microchip registration current
A microchip provides a unique identification code that shelters and veterinary offices can read with a scanner. It is not a GPS tracker. Its usefulness depends on the registration record connecting that code to current owner contact information.
Low-cost spay and neuter resources
The County's spay and neuter resource page links to reduced-cost programs and participating providers. Confirm eligibility, price and appointment availability with the provider, and discuss appropriate timing with your veterinarian.
Forms for specific services
Use the official forms page for foster interest, rabies exemption, special adoption and other designated requests. Follow the submission directions on the individual form; the forms do not all use the same process.
Other Animal Problems: Where to Start
Where should I report a barking dog?
In unincorporated San Diego County, the department directs reports of a dog barking because it appears to be suffering or in distress to its emergency line. If the dog does not appear distressed, use the local noise-complaint process. The official Animal Services FAQs provide the relevant routing links.
Will County Animal Services respond to wildlife?
The department says it responds when wildlife poses an immediate threat, is sick or injured, is too young to survive alone, or is trapped. Wildlife simply passing through a yard or open area does not ordinarily qualify for a response. Describe the animal's condition and exact location when calling, and confirm that the incident is within County jurisdiction.
Does the department remove bees from private property?
No. The County directs property owners to a private bee-removal provider. Keep people and pets away from the hive and avoid disturbing it while arranging assistance.