City of Stockton Animal Services Center — Local services in Stockton

What I observed/experienced: This shelter is always very full, which is very difficult to see. During the posted open hours of 12pm-5pm they only allow people in to "walk-thru" until 4:15pm. Their phone lines are difficult to get through to a person, and only about 2-3 of the employee/volunteer staff are courteous/polite.

While waiting outside in a line of people waiting to potentially adopt an animal, there were several complaints made vocal about spending time trying to get a person on the phone, and when that goal was reached the person on the phone gave the information that "as long as a person arrived prior to 5pm, they would be allowed to 'walk-thru' and view the available animals". Upon arrival between 4-4:30pm there was already a line and the available staff to potential adoption persons ratio left the people who arrived after 4pm to be told they would not be allowed inside the building on that day and would need to return another day if still interested in adopting. There were multiple people who drove between 30min-3hours(Drove from SF) and they were understandably frustrated about this information that conflicted with what they were told over the phone.

My opinion: A shelter that has reached capacity and is in need of homes for animals to avoid the need to euthanize them in order to make space for future arrivals needs to make adjustments to their operational system in place. Online access to view animals, speak with an attendant about specific animals, and obtain fully updated information about everything is definitely suggested... Additionally, staff members should be equipped with accurate information to give to callers and potential adopters as well as receive training in how to appropriately address and interact with the public. Phone lines should be answered, or at least some form of instant Q&A option be offered, whether it be via phone or online.

I do have my complaints, however it is also important to keep in mind that the shelter is doing a great service for those unfortunate animals that end up in their care. The staff may be tired of seeing potential adopters due to the turn around rate of animals arriving back at the shelter due to owner inadequacies... Owner failures and simply put... Humans in general neglecting animals and their responsibilities to the animals they promised a home to. I appreciate them and what they do despite any complaints, and I believe with time and community suggestions they can improve their already noble service. Thank you City of Stockton...

I would have given one star but I found my puppy there so they get a star for her... we adopted our puppy at an adoption event on a Sunday and picked her up following her spay surgery on Tuesday. When we picked her up she had a large, 3 to 4 inch scrape on her back. We asked what happened to her the guy who handed her to us said "I don't know this is the first time I saw this dog maybe there's something in her paperwork." And he handed her to us she was shaking so bad we decided the best thing would be to get her home. When we got her home there was nothing in her paperwork about her scrape no instructions about when to remove her cone no meds or suggestions for pain relief. I called the shelter and asked them what happened to her back and when could we remove her cone, they didnt have any info on what happened to her back and said leave come on 7 to 10 days. I called my vet and asked if we could get her in for 1st visit well puppy check and to get scrape looked at they agreed to see her next day good thing too her spay site was swollen on top of everything else. Our vet asked what pain meds she was given I told her nothing they examined scrape which they had to scrape open to clean test and apply a topical ointment. She also finally received pain meds and antibiotics. She is healing nicely but will always have a scar. We paid for ber adoption Sunday this happened to her after and no one thought to note her paperwork. Having been to several shelters looking for our new family member this shelter was dark, not as well lit as other places, there was a dog in a pen in the area with other dogs available for adoption who had paperwork saying it had kennel cough, that is a highly contagious disease, I dont know why the pup wasnt in quarantine they did have an area like that. I refuse to take my puppy back to them for my free rabies vaccination my vet will do it. We won't be returning to...

Every single time I see ppl call SAS a "Kill" Shelter, I make a point to inform them tht "No Kill" doesn't actually mean no kill. Shelters can euthanize up to 10% of the animals they take in & still call themselves "No Kill." It's a deceptive, arbitrary term tht has been used as a marketing ploy by private shelters to boost fundraising income, & it's a totally unfair standard to hold public municipal shelters (like this one) to, since comparably, it's a cake walk for private shelters to achieve "no kill" status, since they take in way fewer animals & are afforded the luxury of being able to pick & choose WHICH animals they accept! ...and it ain't coincidence tht they choose the easily adoptable ones, & usually refuse the pitties, the large breeds, the old dogs, the tough cases. Why?- b/c tht way they aren't forced to euthanize as many of the animals in their care, thereby "keeping their numbers low" enough to achieve No Kill status. VS public municipal shelters are held to Hayden's Law (in CA) & must accept any sick & injured strays. Plus they take in literally THOUSANDS more animals than private shelters, & are subject to far more scrutiny by the public. ⚠️ DID U KNOW tht SAS has been gradually taking in fewer & fewer animals annually in recent yrs? They now accept ≈ HALF of what was their decade+ long yrly averag&e! Tht translates to exponentially more animals roaming the streets, & thts not even counting all the litters THOSE animals are having as a result of being turned away while unaltered. ⚠️TO THE SHELTER EMPLOYEES: Thank you for all tht you do, helping save & improve the lives of innocent animals. 1 cavet: stop having volunteers perform a responsibility as crucial as cleaning kennels. Y'all are VERY well paid & given 4 disturbance-free hours every morning to do a thorough hose & scrub down w/ Rescue. Work it out guys. (There's lives...