If you visit our facility, or see our adoption pets on line, and you don't see the pet that meets your needs, visit our Shelter Office and complete a form called "Description of Animal Wanted". We will keep this form on file for 6 months. Having this form on file allows our Shelter Office staff to pre-screen you for an adoption animal and a staff member will notify you when we have a pet that fits the criteria you stated on your form.
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have a valid photo I.D.
- Be able to verify with your landlord that you may have a pet if you are renting or provide proof that you own your own home through a property tax bill or through the County Assessor's Office
- Have all members of the family, or roommates in the household agree to meet the pet prior to an adoption being approved
- Have a fenced yard if you are adopting a dog
- Meet any additional requirements for the specific pet you are interested in adopting
Understand that all of the animals that come to stay with us have been relinquished to us by a previous owner. We reserve the right to deny the adoption of any pet if we feel that it is not in the best interest of the animal.
If you are interested in adopting a pet from the Santa Barbara Humane Society, and you are able to meet the requirements listed above, here is what to do next:
- Complete a visitation application, which also serves as an adoption application. If you decide not to adopt at that particular time, we will keep the visitation application on file for one year. When you come in within that one year's time, you only need to update the information we have on file for you.
- Participate in an interview with an adoption counselor in the Shelter Office. Through this screening, the adoption counselors can help you choose a pet that would likely be compatible with your family and lifestyle.
- Bring all members of your household, and any dogs you have at home, to the Humane Society for a supervised visit to socialize with the dog you wish to adopt. The visitation occurs in our enclosed play yard, where all dogs can meet each other in a neutral setting in order to make the best match for everyone.
While all of our adoption pets have been vaccinated prior to placing them in a new home, it is possible that they may have been exposed before coming to us, or before the necessary vaccines have been able to provide adequate immunity to disease. Our Clinic will be happy to see and treat your newly adopted dog or cat free of charge during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, by appointment. This special service does not apply to any illness or injury incurred after your pet has left our facilities. Please be aware that any visits to your own veterinarian during the 10-day, post-adoption period will be at your own expense.
A benefit we offer to those adopting puppies or kittens from the Santa Barbara Humane Society is our low-fee vaccination clinic for booster vaccines until your puppy reaches 4 months of age or your kitten reaches 3 months of age. This benefit, usually reserved for our members, is also extended to adopters of our puppies and kittens. You may want to consider an annual membership in the Santa Barbara Humane Society to take advantage of annual vaccines in our low-fee Clinic as well as our other membership benefits.
- Topical Flea Control
- Spay and Neuter Surgery
- Health Examination
- Distemper/Parvovirus, Rabies and Bordetella Vaccinations
- Worming
- Background and Personality Profile
- Starter Packet of Food
- Dog Care Booklet
- Temporary Leash (training collars and leather leashes may be purchased at an additional cost)
All dogs and puppies over the age of 4 months will receive a rabies vaccination prior to adoption. If you adopt a younger puppy (under 4 months of age), you must call our Clinic to arrange an appointment for the puppy's rabies vaccination (at no additional charge) when your puppy reaches 4 months of age. All puppies have received the initial Bordetella and Distemper/Parvovirus vaccinations. To complete the initial series, follow-up vaccinations are required 3 weeks after the first vaccination is administered, at a cost of $12.50 for Distemper/Parvovirus.
Appointments are required for all follow-up vaccination visits at our Clinic.
*Dogs over 4 months of age who will be residing within Santa Barbara County must be licensed at the time of adoption. Fees for licensing vary for the residents of Santa Barbara County, the City of Santa Barbara, and the City of Carpinteria.
- Topical Flea Control
- Spay and Neuter Surgery
- Health Examination
- Feline Distemper and Rabies Vaccination, Feline Leukemia Test
- Worming
- Temperament Evaluation
- Background/Personality Form
- Starter packet of Food
- Cat Care Booklet
- Cat Carrier
All cats and kittens 3 months of age and older will receive rabies vaccination prior to adoption. If you adopt a younger kitten (under 3 months of age), you must call our Clinic to arrange an appointment for your kitten's rabies vaccination (at no additional charge) when your kitten reaches 3 months of age.
All cats available for adoption have tested negative for Feline Leukemia. We recommend that you obtain the Feline Leukemia vaccination for your kitten, which we are able to provide for a fee. To complete the initial series of vaccines for Feline Leukemia, a follow-up vaccination is required 3 weeks after the first vaccination has been given.
Appointments are required for all follow-up vaccination visits at our Clinic.
Thank you for adopting one of our pets and saving a life!