|
You are here: Home > FAQs |
|||
|
Animal Services Frequently Asked Questions Q: How big is your agency and how long have you been in existence? A: The Santa Cruz County Animal Services was begun in July of 2002, first as an animal control agency. In August 2002 we took on sheltering as well. Our Agency currently takes in between 3000 and 4000 animals a year. We serve the Unincorporated County, the City of Santa Cruz, the City of Capitola and the City of Scotts Valley. Q: How are you funded and governed? A: Animal Services is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that receives the bulk of its funding from member contributions from Cities of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Capitola and the unincorporated county. We also receive some funding through revenue and donations. The JPA Board who meets every month ultimately governs our Budget. Q: What programs and services do you offer? A: The following are community services that are offered through our Animal Shelter:
The following are community services that are offered through our Animal Control Office:
Q: Do you have legal holding times for animals that are brought into the shelter? A: Yes, we are required to hold animals for a certain period of time prior to making them available for adoption or euthanizing them. Healthy and friendly animals are made available for adoption until they are adopted. There is no maximum holding period for animals. The minimum and legally required holding period for pet animals brought into animal shelters in California are as follows: - Stray pet with ID TRACEABLE to an owner whom is not reachable by phone (Santa Cruz County Code) = 7 (SEVEN) days from the day a notice is mailed, notifying an owner of their pet's arrival at the shelter. - Stray without ID (State Law) = 4 (FOUR) full business days, not including the day of impound or days the shelter is closed. Stray animals without ID may be made available for adoption on the last day of the holding period. - Cats determined to be feral using a standardized protocol (State Law) = 3 (THREE) days, not including the day of impound or days the shelter is closed. - Irremediably suffering from a serious illness or injury; animals requiring maternal care brought to the shelter without their mothers (State Law) = no holding period. These animals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Animals with rehabilitatable and manageable issues are held for owner redemption and possible adoption. - Animals with a history of vicious or dangerous behavior documented by animal control PRIOR to the animal's arrival to the shelter (State Law) = no holding period. - Owner Surrender (State Law) = May be made immediately available for adoption. Animals are spayed or neutered, examined and evaluated for behavior problems. If the shelter finds the animal to be healthy, friendly and altered, the animal may be made immediately available for adoption. Prior to euthanasia, owner-surrendered animals must be held 4 (FOUR) full days, not including the day of impound or days the shelter is closed. - Livestock (State Law) = 14 Days - Wildlife (State Law) = no holding period. Q: How long do animals stay up for adoption? A:We
have no set time limit for how long animal are up for
adoption. Animals
typically get adopted within the first few weeks of their
stay with us. Animals
who are up for adoption for an extended period of time are
monitored closely and given environmental enrichment to
help keep them both behaviorally and medically healthy. Q: Why can’t you be a “No Kill” Shelter? A: We are an open door shelter, taking in any animal that comes through our doors. A “No Kill” shelter can choose the animals that they will accept into their care. Many of the animals that come into our shelter are too sick, too old or too aggressive to place through adoption and sometimes there are just not enough homes for all of them. Sometimes we must pursue the difficult option of humane euthanasia. Q: How much does it cost to adopt a pet? A: Dogs: $60 - $180, includes the following: - Spay or neuter - Microchip - First vaccinations - Heartworm Test - Collar, ID tag and license - Adoption packet with behavior information
Cats: $55 - $120 - Spay or neuter - Microchip - First vaccinations - Test for Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids - Cardboard carrier - Collar and ID tag - Adoption Packet with behavior information Rabbits: $50, including the following - Spay or neuter - Cardboard carrier - Adoption Packet with behavior information Guinea Pigs, Rats, Mice, Hamsters: $25 Small Caged Birds : $25 Exotic Birds: $75 Q: Why should I adopt my animal from a shelter? A: By adopting from the shelter you may get a better chance of finding the right match for your family. When you pursue an adoption at ASA you get the benefit of our experienced adoption counselors who can answer any of your questions and help prepare you for your new companion. Each animal you adopt not only comes with everything mentioned above but also receives a basic health examination and a temperament evaluation. All of these services are a deal at the prices listed above when you consider what you might pay outside of the shelter for all of these same services. Q: How do I get a Dog License? A: Many people believe that once they get their dog a rabies vaccination, their dog is automatically licensed. Actually, a dog license is a separate tag that you can purchase through your local animal control agency or in some cases, from your veterinarian. All you have to do is ask! If you live in Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, Capitola or Unincorporated County you can bring or send in: - License Application (available on-line)- Your dog’s rabies certificate - Proof of Spay or Neuter - The license fee: $26 Altered, $65 Unaltered Just get it to……. Santa Cruz County Animal Services, Attn: Licensing
Office Hours: Q: How can I get a position working for Animal Services? A: You can always check the Santa Cruz County web site at www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us, for current job openings. Just choose Employment Opportunities and then ‘County Employment’. If there are openings at Animal Services, you can fill out an on-line application or go to the Personnel Office at 701 Ocean St. Rm. 310. You can also fill out a job interest form either at the County Personnel Office or on-line at the employment opportunities page. Q: How can I get assistance with the cost of spay or neuter surgery? A: Both of our non-profit branches, Friends of the Watsonville Animal Shelter and Friends of Santa Cruz County Animals are currently offering FREE spay and neuter vouchers for low-income residents of the City of Watsonville (through FOWAS) and all other SC County Residents (through FOSCA). All you need to provide in order to qualify for a voucher is proof of your income level (pay stub, W2 form, SSI, Disability, Unemployment etc) and a photo ID stating that you live in SC County. For more information about what income levels qualify as "low-income", please contact an SCCAS customer services representative at 454-7303 ext 0. The Santa Cruz SPCA also offers a granting up to 20% off the overall cost of surgery at a specified list of vet hospitals to ANY PET OWNER. Please see their website @ www.santacruzspca.org to print out a coupon or call them at 831-465-5000. For assistance with TRAP, NEUTER, and RELEASE programs for feral cats, please contact Project Purr at 831-423-6369. For BUSINESS OWNERS in the City of Watsonville, FREE spay and neuter of feral cats on the business site is offered through the FOWAS Voucher Program. Please visit the Watsonville Shelter with a formal business card to qualify.
|
|||
Home
• Adoptions
Search • Lost
Animals Search
Return
to County home page • Site
Credits• Email
