County Animal Services’ Response to Covid-19 Stay-at-Home Order

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) – In an effort to keep shelter animals, staff, and the community safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) has modified operations and created a proactive plan to mitigate unnecessary gathering of people. 

In-person services are available by appointment only at the Santa Barbara and Santa Maria Shelters, effective immediately. No in-person services are available at the Lompoc Shelter as it is temporarily closed through January 31, 2021. Phone lines at all three shelters remain open during normal business hours and staff will assist the public with information, resources, and appointment scheduling. 

In-person services by appointment only include: fostering, adoptions, limited intakes and return to owner of animals already in the care of the shelter. Stray intake will be limited to dogs and only sick/injured cats or underage kittens. The public is strongly encouraged not to pick up healthy stray cats and bring them to the shelter. All measures will be taken to return animals to their owners in the field instead of impounding them; owner surrender intakes will be by appointment and only in the case of an emergency.