The Animal Services Section is responsible for operating Yolo County’s animal shelter and providing animal control services to the cities, unincorporated areas of the county, and the property of the University of California at Davis.  The program is supported primarily through contracts for service with the incorporated cities, generous donations from citizens and businesses, and dog licensing fees.

The shelter and patrol staff focus on the many animals abandoned, stranded, or cruelly victimized in Yolo County.  Providing an shelter for these animals makes the community safer and provides an outlet for animals that might otherwise have been euthanized to have a second chance at a loving home.

The State of California recently passed several new laws greatly affecting how animal shelters function. Food and Agriculture codes have extended the holding periods for stray, feral, and relinquished pets. The intent of the new laws was to provide more time for impounded animals to be adopted, but the unfortunate result has been extreme overcrowding at shelters.

Pet overpopulation contributes to the overcrowding problem.  There are simply not enough loving homes for every animal who needs one.  You can help by spaying or neutering your pets.  All animals adopted from shelters must be spayed or neutered.  As of January 1, 2000, an owner whose animals are impounded is subject to fines and additional fees if those animals are not spayed or neutered.

To help combat the shelter overcrowding problem, Animal Services began construction of the new T.S. and K.D. Glide Annex in the fall of 2002.  The annex is used to house felines as well as other small animals. The addition of a medical equipment area removes the need to transport animals back and forth to the vet, reducing their exposure to traveling stress.

The Annex would not have been possible without a generous donation from the Glide Foundation. The Glide Foundation has provided financial support for the Animal Shelter in the form of donations since 1997.  With prior donations, the Animal Services Division has been able to purchase miscellaneous equipment used to enhance their activities and service to the County.  

Yolo County Animal Services provides Rabies Vaccinations to the public for cats and dogs for a cost of $8.00 per animal.  Clinics are held on the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of each month.  Please contact our office during business hours to schedule an appointment.  Pets must be four months of age or older.

If you would like to help support the Annex, adopt a brick! These bricks can be engraved with up to two lines of text and 15 characters.  Your special message will then be used to pave the walkways and signage outside of our new Annex building - a perfect way to memorialize a beloved pet.  Contact Animal Services for more information.