Animal Control Services
Total Expenses
$2,232,645
0%
1Total Revenues
$0
0%
2General Fund Contribution
$1,232,645
0%
3
District Sales Tax Contribution
$1,000,000
0%
4
Other Fund Contributions
0
0%
5
Funded Staffing
0.00
0.00
6Website
Overview
Mission Statement
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS) rescues and assures temporary shelter, veterinary and humane care for approximately 5,000 stray, unwanted, abandoned, mistreated, neglected and injured animals every year.Department Overview
SCCAS was formed in June 2002 and is a non-profit Joint Powers Authority serving the County of Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz, City of Scotts Valley, City of Watsonville, and City of Capitola. SCCAS provides 24-hour animal rescue and is Santa Cruz County’s only full service, open-admission animal shelter. SCCAS has two locations where people can find and recover lost pets and adopt new animal companions. The primary facility is located on the corner of 7th Avenue and Rodriguez Street in the Live Oak area of the County. The second facility is in the City of Watsonville, on airport property along Airport Boulevard.The two SCCAS locations provide comprehensive care for Santa Cruz County animals in need. Services include adoptions, with online search tools and off-site events, basic and emergency veterinary care, and on-site spay and neuter for adoptable animals, with low-cost services available to qualifying residents. The shelters offer lost and found services, microchipping, feral cat support, dog licensing, and humane education programs. Volunteers assist with adoptions and animal care, while foster programs support animals needing special attention. When necessary, humane euthanasia is provided, as well as protective custody and safekeeping for animals in urgent situations.
SCCAS also provides animal rescue and protection services, which include the emergency rescue of domestic animals in distress, pickup of stray or mistreated animals, and response to injured, sick, or dangerous animals. Field staff also address public safety concerns through rabies control, animal bite response, and cruelty investigations. Officers respond to nuisance complaints such as barking dogs and issue dog licenses in the field. These services ensure community safety while supporting the health and welfare of animals through compassionate, timely, and professional intervention.
Budget Summary
Department Budget Overview
Overall Budget Summary
The Proposed Budget recommends a status quo contribution to SCCAS. Appropriations total $2,232,645, funded by a General Fund contribution of $1,232,645 and a District Sales Tax contribution of $1,000,000. The District Sales Tax contribution is part of the existing General Fund contribution to the SCCAS but is shown separately. Should the County’s contribution change following approval of the 2025-26 budget by the SCCAS Board of Directors, the change will be included in the June 10, 2025 last day or subsequent concluding budget actions.Emerging Issues
Emerging Issues
Strategic Plan: In 2025-26, the SCCAS will develop a strategic plan that will serve as a roadmap to guide the organization in fulfilling its key service areas of Animal Control, Sheltering, and Prevention, while upholding a socially conscious sheltering philosophy. The strategic plan will establish the SCCAS’s vision, mission and goals and help describe what actions the SCCAS will take to achieve those goals.
Organizational Development: The SCCAS will continue to build a stable, cohesive team that supports each other and the mission of the organization. The SCCAS has prioritized the hiring, onboarding and training of staff as well as reviewing and updating policies and procedures.
Organizational Development: The SCCAS will continue to build a stable, cohesive team that supports each other and the mission of the organization. The SCCAS has prioritized the hiring, onboarding and training of staff as well as reviewing and updating policies and procedures.
Department Operations and Performance
Divisions
Services
Animal Control Services
Expenses
$2,232,645
Operational Plan Objectives and Accomplishments
This division supports various department objectives
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Major Budget Changes
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Budget Details
The charts below show department expenditures and revenues by division and service. Click on the pie charts to drill down for more detail. Complete detail can be found on the County's Transparency Portal.
Expenses by Service
Expenses and Revenues over time
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