We work with local adoption partners to help more animals make their way into good homes. Our Adoption Partner line is 916-875-7982.

Holding Times and Behavioral Evaluations:
The holding period does not start on the day the animal arrives in the shelter. Only business days are counted towards the holding period.

All strays have a mandatory three -day holding period to allow the owner time to claim the pet. If the pet is not claimed, shelter staff will conduct a behavioral evaluation on the first day the animal is available, if applicable.

Availability of Dogs Passing Behavioral Evaluation:
All stray and owner relinquished dogs are available to the public for adoption 48 hours before adoption partner organizations may have the animal.

Availability Of Dogs NOT Passing Behavioral Evaluation:

• Owner relinquished animals are available on the first day in the shelter to adoption partners.
• Stray animals are available on the fourth day in the shelter to adoption partners.
• The public cannot adopt animals that fail behavior evaluation.

Responsibilities of Shelter:   

• Compiles daily animal incoming detail report
• Conducts behavioral evaluations
• Notes adoption partner organization's request for animal
• Holds animal for 48 hours if organization is going to come, unless contacted by the organization to make arrangements
• Contacts adoption partner organization is animal is going to be euthanized

Responsibilities of Adoption Partners: Please refer to the flow chart for the days in the holding period that each responsibility occurs.

• Review daily animal incoming detail report (Adoption Partners may get on the e-mailing list for reports by contacting Tara at Dillert@saccounty.net
• View animal database for animals arriving at the shelter
• Call Partner line with the following: want the animal if it does not pass behavior evaluation and/or wish to be called if the animal is going to be euthanized. Partners are responsible for initiating an agreement with the shelter for the animal. Each agreement is subject to the Director's approval.
• Contact shelter to see if animal passed behavioral evaluation
• Pick up animal within 48 hours and notify shelter if timeline cannot be met
• Make appointments and keep them 
• Arrive in ample time to allow one hour for the adoption process and to allow shelter employees leave by closing time.

Cats and Other Animals:
Provided they pass the behavioral evaluation, they are available to rescue organizations the same day they are available to the public.

Adoption Partners:
We work with an approved list of legitimate, long-standing organizations throughout the state.  Please call the Partner line for more information.

Updated 2/5/10