SPCA Monterey County - Salinas, California

Freedom W.

We adopted our baby kitty last month. This location is well kept, clean, and very nice. Way bigger than any other one I have been to. The staff was friendly and helpful and made sure we knew everything we needed to bring our new kitty home. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for a new forever pet.

Jamie N.

Recently, my family and I had to make a very hard decision to put our family dog down. The manager went above and beyond for us, making this unbelievably hard time, just the tiniest bit easier. The staff then followed up with a card expressing their condolences. We are very grateful for them and appreciate their kindness.

Nona C.

“ Keep pets in homes with behavior training programs, our free Pet Food Bank, Pet Meals collaboration with Meals on Wheels, and more. ” They are absolutely lying about believing all animals have intrinsic values. They are not taking dogs because they can’t keep their cages clean and diseases are spreading in their facility, when asked about a reactive dog all they offered was to put her down immediately. Started calling at 11am and had to call from a different phone number to ask if the intake department even had ANYONE in because no one was getting back to us or answering the phone all day. They waited until close to tell us they weren’t doing anything at all for animals anymore. I wouldn’t recommend taking your dogs here for anything medical as they state there are diseases specifically pneumonia breaking out in all of the pets. they wouldn’t even tell us about their dog training program, only offered to kill the dog for us.
Update: They responded saying we should call again, I do not trust them around my dog at all after being so cold and heartless IMMEDIATELY telling me they would ONLY euthanize her. Obviously I care about my pet, so the fact they’d act like that when I was looking for options disgusted me. Now they want to take it back and offer to train her because I said something? Weird behavior. They think I’d wanna take my dog there after saying they have contagious diseases and say the only other option is they’d kill her immediately? I never planned on abandoning my dog, I had planned to see if there was any way to sponsor them so they could just get the behavioral help they needed, I wanted to be able to have them if they could help with training, but after telling them what happened they offered to ONLY kill so immediately I didn’t want them around my dog at all. They only want me to call back so they can benefit, they didn’t show any signs of empathy when I was asking what the options were.

michael A.

Great facility, staff , and most of all ANIMALS!!! The dogs are so well behaved and most of the cats have their own room. They really focus on the pets here and everyone is so very helpful.

Patricia G.

We found a new family member here and our new kitten has found her forever home. We are so blessed and excited for our new adventure to begin. This shelter is spotless and cheerful. Every one was so helpful. We make a monthly donation but truly what they offer is priceless. We are so very happy.

Kimberlyn F.

I was about to share my wholly disappointing experience in dealing with the staff in the Adoption Center and Behavioral Center, but reading over the comments that go back over the years with similar complaints about miscommunication, ignorance, callousness, and now I'll add rudeness, it doesn't appear that complaining does anything.

Dear SPCA, Clear communication at every step and sincere apologies for the lack of communication on YOUR part are warranted (read their rebuttals below--they simply do not take responsibility).

Here's a script for what you should say instead of implying that a potential adopter/community member is lying about calling about a dog and then showing no concern that they are visibly disappointed and upset.

"I’m sorry that the person on the phone didn’t tell you that you needed an appointment. When we wrote "call for an appointment" we meant you could ONLY see her with an appointment rather than come on over as the person on the phone said. Why don’t we let you meet the dog anyway? But we have to let the people with the appointment also visit her later. Again I apologize for the confusion. With our several different phone lines, unfortunately sometimes the wrong person answers and they simply do not tell the right information. I understand your disappointment and will be sure that all staff are clearer in their communication and that we reword our site information. Again, I am sorry for the miscommunication on our part. We truly appreciate your wanting to adopt rather than shop. Can we put you on the contact list to assure you you know when the next dog with these similar qualities becomes available?"

Sierra Y.

Such a wonderful place! One of the best animal shelters I've seen, the facilities are clean, open, and the people are incredibly helpful. Not only do they have mostly communal rooms for the (sociable) cats, but the rooms have covered patios for them as well. The whole area is welcoming, not pushy, and very obviously focused on well-being for the animals who come through their facilities.

MaryAlice B.

They are amazing! I brought my young to get fixed. they told me a good spot to hang out cause I'm not from the area, walked me through the steps for afterwards/recovery, helped me figure out everything I needed and answered any questions I had. Definitely amazing people who care about all the animals they see in here.