Frequently Asked Questions
When are you open?
Where are you located?
1101 29th Ave, Oakland, CA 94601
How can I volunteer?
Click on the “Volunteer” link on our website to sign up for a volunteer orientation.
How can I adopt an animal from Oakland Animal Services?
To adopt an animal from the Oakland Animal Services shelter, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older with a valid photo identification
- Visit with the dog, cat or rabbit that you plan to adopt. Adopters should bring all the human members of their household to meet their new companion
- Successfully complete the Dog Adoption Questionnaire, Cat Questionnaire, Rabbit Questionnaire
- Never have had any cruelty convictions, animal control violations or broken any adoption contracts in the past
- Pay the adoption fees by cash, credit card or check
- Pay the adoption fee the same day as the adoption. We do not place any holds on any animals
- For dogs, you must show proof of home ownership or permission to have a dog from your landlord
- For some specific large dogs, you may need to agree to a home inspection;
- (If you would like for us to help you introduce your current dog and the dog that you are interested in adopting, you must be approved for adoption and show proof that your dog is licensed or at least rabies vaccinated and then schedule an introduction session when you are at the Shelter. Introductions are not required, but recommended.)
- (All adopted animals must be spayed/neutered before they leave the shelter. If the animal you choose to adopt is not yet fixed, you may need to wait to take the animal home after this surgery has been performed.)
Where can I see your adoptable animals?
You can see most of our adoptable animals on our website, on the “Available Pets” page.
I’ve lost an animal in Oakland, what should I do?
If you have lost an animal in or around Oakland, you should come to the Oakland Animal Services shelter at 1101 29t Ave. to place a lost animal report and look for your animal as soon as possible. We do not take lost animal reports over the phone since you are the only person that can positively identify your pet. We recommend that you visit the Shelter immediately after you have lost your animal to file a report and continue visiting the shelter every few days to look for your animal. Animals have been found months after they were lost—so don’t give up!
- Visit all of the animal shelters around the area your pet was lost and file a lost animal report with each shelter. Your pet may have traveled or been carried into the jurisdiction of another animal shelter.
- Advertise in your local newspapers. Don’t wait for the finder to advertise. Place posters in the vicinity where the pet was lost. Include your pet’s sex, age, weight, breed, color and any special markings. When describing your pet, leave out one identifying characteristic and ask the person that finds your pet to describe it to prove that they actually have your pet.
- Check with your local veterinarians as injured pets may have been taken to the vet by a concerned citizen or Animal Control Officer. Check the shelter’s list of animals that may be at the veterinarian.
- Notify neighbors in your area and search the area thoroughly (especially evenings since pets become frightened and hide during the day). Door-to-door canvassing may provide leads in finding your lost animal. Leave a contact number in case your animal is found by a citizen. Enlist the help of children in the area. A reward may generate more interest, but do not list a price.
I’ve found an animal in Oakland. What should I do?
You may bring the animal to Oakland Animal Services during our open hours. If you are interested in adopting the animal if no owner comes forward, please give your contact information to the staff person assisting you at the front counter. Finders have first priority to apply to adopt an animal they have brought in to the shelter—if the animal passes its temperament and medical tests. The Oakland Animal Services shelter does not adopt “injured, sick or extremely aggressive” animals to finders.
If you decide to keep the animal you found rather than bringing it to the Oakland Animal Services shelter, then you must report the found animal to Animal Services. We recommend that you bring the animal directly to the Shelter so we can scan the animal for a microchip, you can fill out a found report with a color photo, and review our lost animal reports. However, if you are unable to come in, you may leave a found report by phone at 510-535-5602 between 9am-11am on the weekdays. You should bring the animal to a veterinarian for it to be scanned for a microchip. You must also actively search for the animal’s owner for two weeks. Actively searching includes placing ads in local classified ads and putting up signs around the area where you found the dog or cat. You should consider posting on www.craigslist.com and your neighborhood email lists. Make sure you document everything you have done to find the owner.
I can’t keep my pet. What should I do?
If you have not been able to find your pet a new home and you are a resident of Oakland, please consider taking the animal to the East Bay SPCA to see if they can take the animal into their program – www.eastbayspca.com. If they can not take the animal, you may bring the animal to Oakland Animal Services during our open hours. You will need to show proof that you are a resident of Oakland. Please bring all veterinary records and any other history with you. You will be asked to sign a form to “surrender” the animal to Oakland Animal Services. We will not be able to guarantee that we can find your animal a new home. All animals are behaviorally and medically tested. If the animal is aggressive or too sick/injured to be adopted, we may need to euthanize the animal.If you are unable to bring the animal to the Shelter, you can call 510-535-5602 to schedule to have the animal picked up for a fee.
My animal was picked up and is at the shelter. What do I do?
Please come to Oakland Animal Services during our open hours for more information.
How do I get a license for my dog?
If you live in Oakland and have a dog that is older than four months of age, you must have a dog license. To get a dog license, your dog must be four months or older, have a current rabies vaccination and be microchipped. Bring the rabies certificate and microchip information to Oakland Animal Services during open hours. You can get a significant discount on the license if your dog is fixed and/or if you are a senior.
How can I get my dog/cat microchipped?
Oakland Animal Services microchips dogs/cats of Oakland residents for $10. Bring your animal and proof of Oakland residency to Oakland Animal Services during open hours for the microchip. If your animal is aggressive, we may not be able to microchip the animal.
I need a deceased animal removed. What should I do?
PUBLIC PROPERTY:
Oakland Animal Services removes deceased animals from public property. If you know of a deceased animal on public property that needs to be removed, complete this form.
PRIVATE PROPERTY:
If you have a deceased animal (domestic or wild) that needs to be removed on private property, please call 510-535-5602, Monday-Friday, 9:00am-11:00am to request assistance. There is a fee for this service depending on the size of the animal. We do not pick up animals from private property that are under homes, decks or down long embankments.
My animal has died. What should I do?
If you are an Oakland resident, you may bring the deceased animal to Oakland Animal Services during our open hours for disposal.
I’ve been bitten by an animal or my animal has been bitten by an animal. What should I do?
If you are bitten and the situation is not under control and you or other people continue to be in imminent danger, call 911. It is important that you receive medical attention for the bite. Bites need to be properly cleaned to prevent any possible infection. Contact Oakland Animal Services at 510-535-5605 during business hours or Oakland Police Dispatch 510-777-3333 during non-business hours to report the bite. Try to report as much information about the incident as possible, including the date, time and location where the bite occurred as well as the type and description of the animal that bit you and its current location.Remember, it is important that you keep your pets from coming into contact with wild animals. If your dog or cat is bitten or comes into direct contact with a wild animal, report the incident immediately to Oakland Police Department-Animal Control Section at 510-777-3333. Make sure your dog and/or cat has a current rabies vaccination and to keep your dog’s license up to date.
My animal has bitten someone or another animal. What do I do?
If your pet bites a person or another animal, you are required by law to report the incident immediately to Oakland Animal Services. During business hours call 510-535-5605 or during non-business hours, call Oakland Police Dispatch at 510-777-3333. Reporting all animal bites helps to prevent the spread of rabies. Rabies is a serious and potentially deadly disease. It is transmitted via the saliva of infected animals by a bite or direct contact. Skunks, bats and raccoons are high-risk rabies carriers and are found all over Oakland and Alameda County.If your dog or cat bites a person, your dog or cat will need to be placed in quarantine for 10 days to protect you, your family and your pets from rabies. During this time, the animal will be monitored carefully for any signs of rabies.
I think an animal is being abused or neglected in Oakland. What should I do?
To report an animal that may be abused or neglected, call 510-777-3333 or 510-535-5602. Please be prepared to provide an exact location of the animal and details of the suspected abuse/neglect.
I am bothered by a dog barking. What should I do?
First, you should attempt to speak with the owner of the dog. Frequently, owners are not aware that their dog is barking and appreciate the information. If this does not work, you can call 510-535-5602 to report the situation. You must provide the exact address of the location of the animal. We will send a letter to the dog owner to explain the problem and the laws related to creating a public nuisance. If we receive additional complaints, we will send an Animal Control Officer to investigate the situation.
There is a stray cat (or cats) in my yard/neighborhood. What should I do?
Oakland Animal Services supports “trap, neuter, return” as a means of controlling the feral cat population. Please see our Feral Cats page if you are having problems with feral cats in your area. For information on controlling the feral cat population in your neighborhood, contact the Fix Our Ferals hotline at 510-433-9446.
There’s a stray dog (or dogs) in my yard/neighborhood. What should I do?
Oakland Animal Services is not able to send Animal Control Officers to investigate reports of stray dogs unless the dog is enclosed in a specific area, such as a back yard or a garage. If you have a stray dog in an enclosed space, call 510-535-5602 to have the dog picked up.
I have an injured animal. What should I do?
OWNED ANIMALS:
Oakland Animal Services does not provide veterinary care to the public. OAS will accept surrendered sick and injured animals, and each animal will be evaluated for possible medical treatment or humane euthanasia. If your own animal is sick or injured please go to the List of Veterinary Clinics in Oakland to locate the nearest veterinary clinic. If you have an after-hours emergency with your animal, contact Pets Emergency Treatment Service at 1048 University Ave. in Berkeley or call 510-548-6684. If you can not afford to take your animal to a veterinarian, you may surrender the animal to OAS.
STRAY ANIMALS:
If you have found a sick or injured stray animal, you may bring the animal to the shelter during our hours of operation. If you have found an animal after hours, call the police non-emergency line at 510-777-3333. You must stay on the line to speak with a dispatcher—do not go back to Animal Control’s line.OAS treats many sick or injured stray animals every year, which is made possible through donations made to the Friends of Oakland Animal Services.
My animal is very sick/injured/old and needs to be euthanized. Can you euthanize it for me?
You should take your animal to your veterinarian to be evaluated and, if necessary, euthanized. However, if you can not afford this and are an Oakland resident, you can surrender your animal to Oakland Animal Services. We will then evaluate your animal and determine if the animal should receive treatment or be euthanized.
I have wild animals in my yard. What should I do?
Oakland has many native, wild animals that live throughout the City. We encourage you to go to www.yuwr.org to find ways to humanely and peacefully live with these animal neighbors.
I have found an injured wild animal. What should I do?
Oakland Animal Services works closely with Oakland’s Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue Center to help Oakland’s wildlife. If you have a general question about wildlife or need assistance determining how to help a sick/injured wild animal, call YUWR at 510-421-YUWR (9897). The Montclair Veterinary Clinic, 510-339-8600, is a drop-off location for injured wild animals.Please contact Alameda County Vector Control at 510-567-6805 or www.acvcsd.org if you have questions/concerns regarding wildlife around your home. However, if a wild animal has entered your home, call 510-777-3333 to report the situation.
Are animals euthanized at the Oakland Animal Services shelter?
Yes. Oakland Animal Services is an open-door facility, and takes in any homeless animal in Oakland that needs help. We therefore take in very sick, severely injured and very aggressive animals that cannot be safely adopted or transferred to a rescue organization. These animals are humanely euthanized by injection at the shelter.
How can I make a donation?
You may make a donation through our non-profit 501c3: Friends of Oakland Animal Services. This organization provides support to improve the lives of the animals at the shelter.
