Animal shelter preparing for kitten rush amid coronavirus restrictions

The Santa Monica Animal Shelter remains open and the animals are being well cared for despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis that is threatening their human caretakers.

Shelter operations are continuing unchanged behind the scenes but the locals looking to adopt a new family member must now make an appointment to visit the shelter. General visitation and public walkins have been suspended during the outbreak but officials said pets are still available for adoption on a by-appointment basis.

Shelter Administrator Robert Silverstein said animal control officers are still working in the city responding to calls, office staff are at the shelter and staff are working with the animals every day.

“Our operation has not changed,” he said. “We have to function at the same level we did prior to the pandemic, but what we have done, because we have to follow the orders from our city leaders and county health dept to reduce COVID-19 risk, we did close our lobby and facility and are doing adoptions by appointment only.”

Silverstein said there has been a steady stream of adoptions even during the stay at home order and the shelter has plenty of capacity. No animals are being moved to other facilities and the shelter has no need for community fosters at this point.

“We actually have seen quite a nice turnout of people who have called to make appointments to come and adopt,” he said.

He said online rumors regarding euthanizations are blatantly false.

“Some people are under the impression that animals are being euthanized and that’s not true at all,” he said. “Our animals are cared for daily. We would never abandon our animals or fail to care for them given any kind of crisis. We place a high priority on making sure the animals are cared for.”

The shelter continues to accept animals that are surrendered by the community and Silverstein said they are about to head into the spring kitten season so any donations to help with the anticipated glut of kittens would be helpful provided donations of food are new and unopened.

“Given we’re getting into the time of year with kittens, anything related to kittens like food or bedding or things related to cats, we would greatly appreciate,” he said.

For other business, such as renewing a dog license, he said residents find information online or call the shelter during business hours (310) 458-8595.

SHELTER STAY AT HOME GENERAL INFO

The Shelter facility is not open to the public, however, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the administrative staff is still there. The kennel attendants are still caring for the animals seven days a week. Animal control is still working seven days a week between 6:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.

ADOPTIONS

During the Stay At Home Order, animals are still available for adoption. For a full list of adoptable animals, visit PetHarbor.com and search for the Santa Monica Animal Shelter. You may also call the shelter directly during normal business hours. If you are interested in meeting and/or adopting an animal, call the shelters to set up an appointment. They are setting up appointments for adoptions on a one-on-one basis, one customer at a time. Only one customer at a time is allowed be inside of the shelter. These appointments can be made Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM at 310.458.8595. Inquire with the Shelter directly regarding adoption fees.

DOG LICENSING

Santa Monica Animal Shelter provides dog licensing for Santa Monica residents only. New dog licensing new must be submitted online only at https://licensepet.com/wl3/reg/snmnwl. Dog licensing renewals can be processed online me or submitted by mail to the shelter. Once you register or renew your dog license, your dog’s licensing tag will be mailed to you. If you have any questions, you may call the Shelter directly, Tuesday through Saturday, between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM. 310.458.8595.

VOLUNTEERS

New volunteers will not be accepted during this time.

DONATIONS

The shelter is seeking donations for bedding, food, and treats. They especially need cat and dog canned food, and dog treats. All bedding donations are washed before providing them to animals. All food must be new with the original seal, and not expired. All food donation containers and wrappings are fully sanitized by staff.

ANIMAL CONTROL

The animal control staff are still working seven days a week between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. They respond to all calls that are related to animals which include and are not limited to, lost-or-found animals, owner surrender of animals, loose dogs, animal noise complaints, reporting an animal in distress, dog fights, dog bites, and dead animals. Please contact the Santa Monica Animal Shelter during normal business hours, Tuesday through Saturday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at. (310) 458-8595. Or if you need assistance after hours, call Santa Monica Police Department’s dispatch center (310) 458-8491.

LOST OR FOUND ANIMALS & OWNER SURRENDER OF ANIMALS

If you find a stray animal, or you are a Santa Monica resident and would like to surrender your animal, you may go to the shelter. The staff is at the shelter and will help you. After hours, you may contact the police department’s dispatch directly.

SPECIAL NOTE

For all animal related inquires, please first contact the shelter directly during normal business hours. After hours, please contact the Santa Monica Police Department’s nonemergency dispatch line. Please only call 911 for a true emergency.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Santa Monica Animal Shelter

(310) 458-8595

Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1640 9th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90404

Santa Monica Police Department Dispatch (non emergency)

(310) 458-8491

Dispatch accepts calls seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

If an animal, or person is an immediate danger, or for a true emergency, call 911.

PetFinder.com

Full list of animals available for adoption at the Santa Monica Animal Shelter.

Search Santa Monica Animal Shelter