Humboldt County Animal Shelter

Humboldt County Animal Shelter This page is 100% run by volunteers in support of the work done at the Humboldt County Animal Shelter Cats are felv/fiv tested and dogs are temperament tested.
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The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Animal Shelter is in place to accept stray, abandoned and neglected domesticated animals from the public. Due to the high population of these animals, the shelter does not typically take in owner surrenders. The shelter depends on other non-profit organizations such as Friends for Life, Miranda's Rescue, Companion Animal Foundation, Bless the Beasts, and Sequoi

a Humane Society to take in owner surrenders. After the 4 business day hold required by State law, the Staff evaluates the temperament and health of the animals not returned to their owners. If an animal fails its temperament test (for food, dog, or people aggression), or its health evaluation, the Shelter either has the animal humanely put to sleep OR the rescue coordinators for the Shelter look for every possible avenue in and out of the County to save its life. All animals who pass all the tests are put up for adoption. Before being released to a new owner, every dog and cat is neutered or spayed.

Doing a little early spring cleaning? The shelter could use blankets and full-size bath towels. Please, no comforters, d...
02/15/2025

Doing a little early spring cleaning? The shelter could use blankets and full-size bath towels. Please, no comforters, down, electric blankets or sleeping bags. The shelter is open MWF 10 - 4 and TTH 10 - 7. Staff and volunteers are there on the weekends; you can leave linens neatly packaged at the front door and someone will pull them inside.
Franky says "Thank you!"

We wanted to take a moment and say THANK YOU to all of our fellow volunteers! Volunteers logged in 8,800 hours at the sh...
02/15/2025

We wanted to take a moment and say THANK YOU to all of our fellow volunteers! Volunteers logged in 8,800 hours at the shelter for 2024! Volunteers do everything from house keeping duties such as laundry and dishes, to socializing and playing with cats, walking, training, and playing with dogs, promoting all the animals on this page, taking dogs on outings, enrichment activities, and so much more!

All the dogs enjoyed a special Valentine’s Day treat made by a volunteer! The “red velvet” pupcakes were topped with fro...
02/14/2025

All the dogs enjoyed a special Valentine’s Day treat made by a volunteer! The “red velvet” pupcakes were topped with frosting and bacon crumbles!

The shelter has 6 rabbits up for adoption!Contact shelter staff if you have any questions.Phone number: 707-840-9132Emai...
02/13/2025

The shelter has 6 rabbits up for adoption!

Contact shelter staff if you have any questions.
Phone number: 707-840-9132
Email: [email protected]
Hours: MWF 10-4 and TTH 10-7

“Cherry, my new dog crush! She is just the sweetest girl. She is, as others have noted, a velcro dog when we are out. Sh...
02/12/2025

“Cherry, my new dog crush! She is just the sweetest girl. She is, as others have noted, a velcro dog when we are out. She does like to walk and sniff and check in frequently. I love seeing her in the inside play room -- she seems to open up more. She is playful and loves to hunt down the best toy of the day and take it to the bed. The ball rolled into the water bowl at one point - I wish I'd gotten a video of her working out what to do about that! She loves to be pet and brushed. She is the best girl!” ~Volunteer

Miss Cherry is a little under a year old and weighs 50 pounds. She loves to meet other dogs, play with toys, and cuddle with people. She already knows Sit, Down, and walks well on leash. Cherry is available for foster or adoption.

Adoption/Foster application: https://humboldtgov.org/2658/Animal-Shelter
Phone number: 707-840-9132
Email: [email protected]
Hours: MWF 10-4 and TTH 10-7

The shelter will be closed for county holidays Wednesday 2/12 and Monday 2/17. Pictured are two new dogs up for adoption...
02/11/2025

The shelter will be closed for county holidays Wednesday 2/12 and Monday 2/17.

Pictured are two new dogs up for adoption Franky and Oatmeal!

In honor of New York Fashion Week Knox is showing off the newest in doggie trends. We received a photo from one of our f...
02/10/2025

In honor of New York Fashion Week Knox is showing off the newest in doggie trends. We received a photo from one of our followers showing it is catching on! We think it is safe to say Frisbee Face is in for 2025! 😂

There must be someone out there in need of a future doggie fashion icon! Knox is a bit of a class clown, very smart, athletic, sweet, and a social butterfly with other dogs. We do our best to show off how handsome he is in photos, but he really is a dog you must see in person!

Sweetest boy Copper had a sleepover with some volunteers!“We recently brought Copper home for two days and nights! He is...
02/06/2025

Sweetest boy Copper had a sleepover with some volunteers!

“We recently brought Copper home for two days and nights! He is fun, sweet, and eager to please. He wants to be a part of a pack, finding reassurance in being petted and in being close. Copper loves to take walks, and does not seem to mind walking in the rain.

Generally he is well-behaved in the home, but at ten months old, he still has some puppy energy and learning to do. At one point the foot of a furniture leg that he was walking by looked interesting to him, and he was about to mouth it when he was told “No.” He obeyed that command and ignored furniture from then on. He did not chew on anything inappropriate; he enjoyed chewing on toys and a bully stick.

Both days that he was with us, we took him to the very dog-friendly The Bigfoot Taproom for a late-afternoon visit, in his “Adopt Me” vest. These visits were great for his confidence and comfort with people. The first day, he was a little nervous about the number of people, and then, as people came over to meet him, pet him, and give treats, he became eager to meet his new friends. He relaxed so much that he fell asleep. Our second visit to the taproom was marked by his immediate comfort and eagerness to meet people. He is a handsome dog, and with the “Adopt Me” vest, he attracted a lot of interest.

Copper wants to be touched, and licks you in return. While a gentle touch is appreciated, we learned that he relishes a more vigorous massage, especially around his neck and ear muscles. He will lean into it and get a far-away look in his eyes. And since his fur is so very nice to get your hands on, he received lots of massage while he was with us!” ~Volunteer

Copper is a handsome, cuddly, fun 10 month old boy. He weighs around 50 pounds, is neutered, microchipped, heartworm negative, and current on vaccinations. He loves to meet other dogs! Copper is available for foster or adoption.

02/04/2025

How do you and your dogs like to spend rainy days? Miss Matilda is snoozing away in her foster home (make sure to have the sound up!). She has settled in very well with the other dogs and has been a fabulous houseguest. Matilda is 12 years old, blind, and partially deaf. She loves to cuddle and is house trained. Contact the shelter if you’d like to adopt Matilda!

Handsome Bandit has a wide open schedule today! Besides the obvious of being over the top gorgeous he is also a smarty p...
02/04/2025

Handsome Bandit has a wide open schedule today!

Besides the obvious of being over the top gorgeous he is also a smarty pants! Bandit already knows Sit, Down, Wait, and is eager to learn more. He is gentle with taking treats, likes to play with all sorts of toys, and loves the water. He is an excellent swimmer and plays a great game of fetch in or outside of the water. Bandit is affectionate and cuddly as well! He is almost 3 years old and weighs 60 pounds. Bandit is available for foster or adoption.

Adoption/Foster application: https://humboldtgov.org/2658/Animal-Shelter
Phone number: 707-840-9132
Email: [email protected]
Hours: MWF 10-4 and TTH 10-7

There are two main types of fostering at the shelter for dogs. First is general fostering: You provide a home for the do...
02/04/2025

There are two main types of fostering at the shelter for dogs. First is general fostering: You provide a home for the dog and give updates (photos/video/info) to help find the dog a home. You’ll need to bring the dog to the shelter when there is a prospective adopter (staff will work with you on when you are available to do that).
Second type is medical fostering.

Ringo is in need of a medical foster so he can go through heartworm treatment. What does that mean? If you decide to foster Ringo he will stay with you for 2-3 months. For the first couple of weeks you will learn about how Ringo is in your home and allow him to settle in. Staff will then schedule him for treatment at Mckinleyville Animal Care Center where he will stay 2 nights. After his treatment Ringo will need to stay calm and go on leashed potty breaks only (he can have as much cuddle time as you’d like!). During the next 6 weeks Ringo’s activity will be restricted at first and slowly increased (staff will go over this in more detail). After treatment is finished you can decide to adopt him, continue fostering until he is adopted, or bring him back to the shelter. Ringo cannot be adopted until he goes through treatment. All supplies will be provided and medical expenses will be covered by the Emergency Medical Fund (EMF).

In an attempt to help learn more about Ringo and hopefully find him a foster home one of the volunteers took Ringo on a weekend getaway!

“Ringo (sleepover addition)

Took Ringo down to the Bay with me for a couple days. All of the noises in the house startled him (TV, heating, wind blowing on the house, people moving around in other rooms) at first. He alarm barked at some of these noises as we tried to go to sleep the first night so I put on some nature sounds. He eventually settled in and slept through the night on the dog bed in the room. We went straight out to p*e when I woke up. When we got in I went into the kitchen and he started p*eing on the fridge so back out we went until he went p*e again and this time a much longer one. That was the one and only time he p*ed in the house.

We went for a nice long drenching hike Sunday morning. Despite the rain he really loved all the new smells. He was weary of joggers but only barked at the one that had an off leash dog with them and was on a trail above our heads. We encountered some other dogs on our hike. The first dog calmly walked over to us and Ringo was very sad when it continued on it's way. The second dog was scared and didn't want to be friends so Ringo said hi to the person instead.

The second night he did zero alarm barking and slept quietly in the bed with me until someone moved in the house. Ringo checked the door and then went to the dog bed. I think he only wanted to be on the bed if I invited him. (Such a good boy!) Monday morning we did a little run on the same trail which he seemed to enjoy.

The bed in my room and my car seemed to turn into Ringo's safe spaces. If I was in my room, even while moving boxes, he would fall asleep until I left the room. In the car he was a quiet and calm passenger. Before heading back to Humboldt I had lunch with a friend, he slept quietly in the car until I came back. On the drive down he seemed a little unsure, but today in the car he slept for about 90% of the time. He even slept in the kennel in my car.

Ringo is a sensitive soul with a heart of gold and I am so glad I took him.” ~Volunteer

Ringo is 3.5 years old and weighs 60 pounds. Please help spread the word that Ringo needs a foster home!!

Adoption/Foster application: https://humboldtgov.org/2658/Animal-Shelter
Phone number: 707-840-9132
Email: [email protected]
Hours: MWF 10-4 and TTH 10-7

Buck and Mimzy are adorable! These two are affectionate, playful, and ready to be part of your family. Buck is 8 weeks o...
01/30/2025

Buck and Mimzy are adorable! These two are affectionate, playful, and ready to be part of your family. Buck is 8 weeks old and Mimzy is 11 weeks old.

Adoption/Foster application: https://humboldtgov.org/2658/Animal-Shelter
Phone number: 707-840-9132
Email: [email protected]
Hours: MWF 10-4 and TTH 10-7

In addition to Ringo, our gal Misses is also in need of a foster home so she can go through heartworm treatment. Misses ...
01/29/2025

In addition to Ringo, our gal Misses is also in need of a foster home so she can go through heartworm treatment. Misses has been waiting since August. Read on to hear about her weekend time with her volunteer friend!

“We had a wonderful time. Our last sleepover was in November and this time around she was still her amazing self and settled right in. Misses just loves "hanging out" and spent the evening snoozing and relaxing.
My landlord knocked on the door at one point, and she gave some barks to alert me. I put her in her kennel before opening the door to prevent jumping as someone coming to the door can be a big excitement for a lot of dogs. She calmly and quietly hung out in her kennel while I spoke with my landlord, and when we were all done she came on out and went right back to snoozing on the couch. Misses is a very smart girl and does great with direction, and a little bit of managing the environment goes a long way.
After spending the whole evening snoozing away on the couch, we went out for a potty break (I do not have a fenced in yard so everything is leashed) before bed and then she happily went into her kennel and slept there til morning. We had tea together on the couch and then went for a short morning walk down the lane. She went right back to couch snoozing while I did some work, and then around mid-day we went out for an adventure. She helped me deliver some packages at the post office and all of the staff had her 'sit' for cookies and told her what a pretty and perfect girl she is. Misses loved the compliments!
Afterwards we ran into a friend on the sidewalk, so Misses just laid down on the sidewalk and relaxed while we talked. My friend and I were very impressed with how calm and relaxed Misses was to just 'hang out'. Next we went to the Marsh which she loved. A young shepherd mix and another puppy walked by us so we went to the side of the trail to let them pass.
Misses watched them, but didn't bark, pull, or whine. Smart girl!
The more time I spend with Misses, the more impressed I am by her. She has an amazing 'off-switch' in the house and also loves exploring the world. She is loyal and devoted and is just looking for a cozy home and her person to share it with.”

Misses is 6 years old and weighs 60 pounds. All medical expenses are covered by the Emergency Medical Fund (EMF). Make an appointment today to meet her!

Adoption/Foster application: https://humboldtgov.org/2658/Animal-Shelter
Phone number: 707-840-9132
Email: [email protected]
Hours: MWF 10-4 and TTH 10-7

Daisy is quite popular with both the shelter volunteers and the other shelter canines for her sweet personality and frie...
01/29/2025

Daisy is quite popular with both the shelter volunteers and the other shelter canines for her sweet personality and friendliness to others. Daisy has been one of the dogs that our new volunteers walk as they get comfortable with the ins and outs of volunteering at the shelter. The most common word that pops up on the volunteer reports about Daisy is “sweet.” When a dog needs a new walking buddy or someone to play with in the yard, Daisy is often the first pick! She has been on outings to the beach and really enjoyed the water plus had a great time playing with the volunteer’s resident dog.
At the shelter, she loves to play fetch in the play yard or pick out a new toy from the inside play room. Daisy will wait patiently for her turn to go out (she is regularly seen sunning herself) and has been cooperative about a little holiday dress-up! She learns new behaviors quickly and loves her treats. Daisy enjoys being petted and brushed and will happily give her handler the occasional kiss if allowed. Daisy would love to have her own home and special person who she will get to see every day. She is around a year old and 60 pounds. If you would like to meet Daisy, please call the shelter at (707) 840-9132 to make an appointment!

We are looking for your input… Is this a new doggie fashion trend for 2025 or are the dogs teaching themselves how to hu...
01/28/2025

We are looking for your input… Is this a new doggie fashion trend for 2025 or are the dogs teaching themselves how to hula hoop?

Today we are putting the spotlight on 6 young cats. They range in age from 6-8 months old and have been part of the shel...
01/28/2025

Today we are putting the spotlight on 6 young cats. They range in age from 6-8 months old and have been part of the shelter system for half their lives. These beauties can be shy with new people that visit the shelter. They love treats and with a little patience will open up and show off their personalities! They have all shown to do well with other cats. Consider adopting one (or two!) of these felines!

Adoption application: https://humboldtgov.org/2658/Animal-Shelter
Phone number: 707-840-9132
Email: [email protected]
Hours: MWF 10-4 and TTH 10-7

Address

980 Lycoming Avenue
McKinleyville, CA
95519

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+17078409132

Website

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Videos

Rainy day snoozing!
Rainy day snoozing!

How do you and your dogs like to spend rainy days? Miss Matilda is snoozing away in her foster home (make sure to have the sound up!). She has settled in very well with the other dogs and has been a fabulous houseguest. Matilda is 12 years old, blind, and partially deaf. She loves to cuddle and is house trained. Contact the shelter if you’d like to adopt Matilda!

With the holiday season approaching, we have several dogs who have been doing great in foster but need a temporary place to land while their foster families are out of town. We would love to see these dogs stay in homes rather than come back to the shelter if possible! Please reach out if you are able to foster! Scarlet here has been a very good houseguest and has even done well with children! She could use a temporary foster starting Dec. 13th. #fosteringsaveslives #fosterdog #adopt #adoptdontshop #humboldtcounty #rescuedogsofinstagram #dogsofhumboldt #adoptme #considerarescuedog #trending #rescuedog

Callie ❤️
Callie ❤️

Hope you’re having as much fun today as Callie is! We’d love to see the cute things your pets do to entertain themselves, comment below!

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