Kern County Animal Services — Local services in Bakersfield

Absolutely adore all the little fur babies & it seems like they all get adopted quickly. However, the staff up front are insanely rude. No hellos, no smiles, they’re rude when speaking with you. I went in on Saturday to look at dogs, found one I was interested in so I took a number and waited to be called. I was called by a blonde lady at the end. I showed her the pup I wanted to meet. Apparently he was not old enough to meet & greet so she told me to come back Wednesday (6/5) at 12pm when they open, but it is first come first serve and to get here first. No worries. I get here today at 12:05pm, on my lunch break from work, so I can interact with the pup, only to be to told that kennels don’t open til 2pm and I cannot meet him. I told them this is the info I was given by a staff member. They said “it’s first come first serve”. Yes, I understand but I can’t even see him now & I’m on my lunch break. They said “well you can adopt him now and come back and interact with him” I said I don’t want to adopt first, I want to interact to see if he would be a good fit for my home” so I left. Came back at 5pm, asked to see the pup again. He’d been adopted. The same lady goes “well you could’ve just adopted him, came now to interact and if it didn’t work, cancel the adoption”. They don’t have a good system out here. They’re staff doesn’t appear to be knowledgeable, they’re incredibly rude, and they’re impatient with your questions. They talk down to you like you’re an idiot. Unfortunately, I will be returning because I want to adopt a pup from the shelter. I just hope when that time comes, the staff works on...

I contacted Animal Services to report abandoned animals left at my residence without my consent, and instead of helping, I was told that I am legally responsible for them just because I live at the location.

This is completely false. There is no California law that says a resident is legally responsible for animals they do not own, did not agree to care for, and were left behind without notice.

These animals have been abandoned at my home for over five days, possibly longer. I was never asked if I could care for them — I was just told, “just feed them,” like I had no say in the matter. I cannot leave the house even for a day or two because there is no one else here. I don’t have the money for food or supplies for animals that are not mine. This has disrupted my life, my safety, and my well-being.

I asked to speak with a supervisor and was transferred — no one answered. I was doing the responsible thing by reporting potential animal neglect, and instead I was brushed off, misinformed, and blamed for someone else’s actions.

I am not the owner, not the caretaker, and I never agreed to this. This is animal neglect by the legal owners, and it is becoming emotional abuse toward me as well. Now the system is enabling it by refusing to act.

If anything happens to these animals, or to me because I’m being forced into a situation I didn’t agree to — the county will be responsible. I’m documenting everything. This is unacceptable. Do better. and the lady who ansered for patrol was rude and kept cutting me off she is a lier and need to be terminated or talked to ....

By Sandi Thompson ~

My family brought me home cradled in their arms. They cuddled me and smiled at me, and said I was full of charm.

They played with me and laughed with me, they showered me with toys. I sure do love my family especially the girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats. They even let me sleep with them all snuggled in the sheets.

I used to go for walks, often several times a day. They even fought to hold my leash, I'm very proud to say.

These are things I'll never forget a cherished memory. I now live in a shelter without my family.

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe. But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new.

The kids and I would grab a rag for hours we would tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bathroom rug.

They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside. This I did not understand although I tried and tried.

The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time. I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely, in the back yard on a chain. I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why. They said I caused an allergy, and then, kissed me goodbye.

If I'd only had some classes, as a little pup I wouldn't have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.

"You only have one day left," I heard the worker say. Does this mean a second chance? Do I...