Animal Care

San Bernardino County Animal Care provides animal welfare, shelter, field response, licensing, adoption, lost-pet, community cat, sterilization, permitting, and animal-law services within defined parts of the county. This page explains which communities the department serves, how to determine the correct animal control provider, how to adopt or search for a lost pet, when to request field services, what records are needed for dog licensing, how community cat programs work, and what to prepare before surrendering an animal or requesting other services.

Animal Care Services and Coverage

San Bernardino County Animal Care is an animal welfare agency that operates the Big Bear and Devore animal shelters. Its programs serve all unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County as well as the cities of Big Bear Lake, Highland, and Yucaipa. Residents should verify the responsible agency before requesting service because many incorporated cities operate their own animal control programs or use another shelter provider.

The department's responsibilities include shelter operations, animal control field response, pet adoptions, lost-pet assistance, dog licensing, animal establishment permits, community cat programs, sterilization assistance, animal welfare law enforcement, and public education. Animal Control Officers also respond to incidents involving stray or injured animals, animal bites, neglect, noise complaints, and animal evacuations during disasters.

Location matters throughout the Animal Care system. A county mailing address does not necessarily mean that San Bernardino County Animal Care is the responsible agency. Incorporated cities may have different animal control providers, licensing systems, shelter locations, ordinances, and service procedures.

Service Area Verification

The county provides a service area map and community list for determining which agency or shelter serves a particular address. On the map, users enter an address in the “Find address or place” box, select the matching address, and use the map result to identify the service provider. The county states that the map should be used in Google Chrome.

For programs that use the county's eligibility colors, locations shown in blue or brown qualify for San Bernardino County Animal Care programs. Red or green locations do not qualify and should contact their city or town about its animal care services.

The shelter that houses animals also varies by geographic area. Big Bear-area communities are generally associated with the Big Bear Animal Shelter. The Devore Animal Shelter serves several central valley, mountain, high desert, and west valley county areas. Other unincorporated areas may have animals housed at shelters serving the 29 Palms, Barstow, Morongo Basin, or Trona regions. Checking the service area before visiting a shelter can prevent a trip to the wrong location.

Animal Control Field Services

The Animal Care Field Services page covers incidents that require assistance from Animal Control Officers. Field services may be requested for stray animals, injured animals, animal bites, animal neglect, animal noise complaints, and animal evacuation during a disaster. Animal dumping can also be reported to Field Services.

Before contacting the department, gather as much identifying and location information as possible. The county asks callers to provide information when available, including:

The location or street address where service is needed.
The animal's direction of travel.
The animal's name, if known.
The breed, if known.
The animal's color and size.
Collars, identifying marks, or other distinguishing features.
The address where the animal lives, if known.
The pet owner's contact information, if known.

Specific details are especially useful when an animal is moving through a neighborhood or when the reporting person does not know the owner. Providing an exact location and current direction of travel helps distinguish a current field request from a general lost-pet report.

Different Types of Animal Removal

Animal-related removal requests do not all go to the same office. San Bernardino County Animal Care handles deceased stray animals on private property within its service responsibilities, while other situations are assigned elsewhere. Large deceased animal removal has a separate service, and fees may apply. Livestock disposal also has its own contact and may involve a fee.

Deceased stray animals located on freeways are directed to Caltrans. Deceased stray animals on county roads are directed to County Roads. Residents should identify where the animal is located before calling so the request reaches the agency responsible for that property or roadway.

Pet Adoption at County Shelters

The county's pet adoption page provides a search tool for animals available through the Big Bear and Devore shelters. A prospective adopter must be at least 18 years old, have a valid photo ID, and meet any requirements associated with the particular pet. Animal Care also reserves the right to deny an adoption.

All adopted cats and dogs are required by law to be spayed or neutered before going home. For qualifying adoptions, the county states that adoption includes spaying or neutering, a microchip, and age-appropriate vaccinations. Meet-and-greet areas allow prospective adopters to interact with animals before making a selection.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors allocated funds to cover qualifying adoption fees through June 30, 2027, or until the allocated funds are exhausted. Standard fees remain useful for understanding the normal adoption structure if the free-adoption funding no longer applies to a particular animal or has been exhausted.

Standard Adoption Fees

Puppies from 8 to 16 weeks: $20.
Dogs over 4 months: $20.
Dog license, when required in the county's jurisdiction: $24 to $120.
Kittens from 8 to 16 weeks: $10.
Cats over 4 months: $10.
Chickens and other fowl: $5.
Rabbits: $5.
Exotic birds, reptiles, and similar animals: 50% of retail value.
Pigs: starting bid of $20.
Horses: starting bid of $50.
Donkeys: starting bid of $50.
Goats: starting bid of $20.

Adoption fees are waived for qualifying pets adopted by veterans and seniors over age 65. Veterans must bring a valid driver's license or another form of identification with the word “VETERAN” printed on it.

Returns After Adoption

An adopted animal may be returned for illness or behavior problems within 14 days. The original receipt is required. The county does not provide cash refunds under this return policy. Instead, the adopter has 30 days to make another selection.

Searching for a Lost Pet

Owners looking for a missing animal should use the county's lost-pet search information and check the Big Bear and Devore shelter pet search tool repeatedly. The county states that photographs of lost pets are uploaded to the website within one hour of pets arriving at those shelters.

A missing pet may not immediately appear in the public search results. Animal Care advises owners to inform the shelter that they are looking for a lost animal because the pet may be in quarantine, in a medical area, or may have been sent to an animal hospital. If the animal does not appear in the search results during an initial check, owners should continue checking rather than assuming the shelter does not have the pet.

The county also references a searchable national lost-pet database that uses uploaded photographs to compare missing animals with animals at participating shelters or reported found by members of the community. Because that system is operated outside the county, users who follow the county's external link leave the county website and are subject to the external site's policies and procedures.

When You Find a Pet

The county's found-pet guidance distinguishes emergencies from ordinary found-animal situations. A sick, injured, aggressive, or suffering animal, or an animal obstructing traffic within the county Animal Care service area, should be reported immediately through Field Services.

For a non-emergency found animal, the county recommends checking for identification tags, having the animal scanned for a microchip, asking nearby residents about the pet, and distributing found-pet information. The county also encourages people to care for or rehome a found animal when appropriate rather than treating shelter intake as the first option.

Found cats require additional consideration because healthy adult community cats are generally managed differently from lost or injured pets. The county states that healthy adult cats are no longer accepted at the Devore or Big Bear shelters as a routine practice, although each cat presented for intake can be evaluated based on individual circumstances.

Dog Licensing Requirements

All dogs over four months old must be licensed, and dogs are required to be vaccinated against rabies. The county's dog licensing information explains the licensing requirements, documents, fees, renewal rules, and procedures for updating records.

Residents of unincorporated San Bernardino County and the cities of Big Bear Lake and Yucaipa use the county's designated licensing system. Highland residents use a separate licensing portal for their city. This distinction matters because submitting a license through the wrong jurisdiction can lead to delays or incorrect records.

Documents Needed for Licensing

Applicants need a current rabies vaccination certificate that remains effective for the entire requested licensing period. Additional documentation is required when seeking a reduced fee based on the dog's altered status or the owner's qualifying status.

Current rabies vaccination certificate.
Proof that the dog is spayed or neutered when applying for an altered-dog rate.
Identification supporting a senior citizen or veteran discount.
Supporting documentation for a permanently disabled individual when applicable.
Written veterinary documentation when requesting an “unable to alter” medical waiver.

License Fees and Penalties

A one-year license for an unaltered dog is $120. A one-year altered-dog license is $36. The discounted altered rate is $24 when the required proof is provided for a spayed or neutered dog and a qualifying senior citizen, veteran, or permanently disabled individual. The medical-waiver rate for a dog that cannot be altered is $30 and requires written veterinary documentation.

A $25 late fee applies when a license is not purchased or renewed within 30 days of notice. Replacement tags cost $5 each.

Licenses can be purchased or renewed online. Renewal forms may also be downloaded for licensing by mail, and the county lists in-person licensing locations. Owners who move must update the dog's records within 30 days. Owners who rehome a dog must also report the change within 30 days and provide the dog's license number plus the new owner's name, address, and phone number. A deceased dog's record can be updated by providing the license number to Animal Care.

Rehoming and Pet Surrender

Animal Care encourages owners to consider alternatives before surrendering a pet because county shelters are often at or near capacity and focus heavily on stray and at-risk animals. The county rehoming and surrender information identifies possible support for temporary problems, including pet food assistance, low-cost or free veterinary care, behavior training resources, and temporary foster care options.

Availability of these programs depends on location. Residents of unincorporated county service areas can contact Animal Care regarding available programs and resources. Residents of incorporated cities are directed to their city for information about locally available assistance.

Preparing for a Surrender

If surrender is the remaining option, owners should bring all available medical records, identification for the pet, and other information that can help shelter staff understand the animal's history and needs.

The surrender fee is $60 with proof of ownership and $105 without proof of ownership. Because space is limited, owners should not assume surrender works the same way as reporting an injured stray or requesting emergency field response. Those are different services with different purposes.

Community Cats and TNVR

San Bernardino County defines community cats as outdoor, unowned, free-roaming cats. They may be friendly or feral, adults or kittens, healthy or sick, and altered or unaltered. Healthy community cats that are thriving outdoors are generally managed through Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return rather than routine shelter intake.

Under TNVR, a community cat is humanely trapped, taken for spaying or neutering and vaccination, ear-tipped for identification, and then returned to the outdoor location where it was trapped. The program is intended to manage community cat populations while allowing healthy cats to remain in their established outdoor environment.

TNVR Eligibility and Preparation

For the county TNVR program, the community cat must be trapped within an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County. Eligibility is based on the trapping address, not the trapper's home address.

Before an appointment, trappers should be prepared to provide:

Their home address.
Contact information.
An associated organization, if applicable.
The trapping-location address or an estimated address.

Clinic requirements vary. The county specifically advises participants to confirm the type of trap accepted because many clinics do not accept community cats presented in carriers.

Trap Rental Rules

Community cat traps may be rented from the Devore or Big Bear Animal Shelter for up to 10 days. A $40 deposit is required for each trap. A rental charge of $4 per day is deducted from the deposit, and the remaining amount is refunded after the trap is cleaned and returned, when applicable.

After treatment, individuals or organizations must pick up the cat that day, provide the aftercare required by the clinic, and return the cat to the trapping location according to the clinic's timeline and instructions.

Kittens Found Outdoors

Unattended kittens should not automatically be assumed to be abandoned. The county explains that the mother cat is often nearby and recommends leaving kittens undisturbed so she can continue caring for them. Participation in TNVR is generally considered when kittens are at least eight weeks old or weigh about two pounds.

Spay and Neuter Assistance

The Animal Sterilization Assistance Program provides financial assistance for eligible owned pets and community cats. The county has allocated annual funding for spay and neuter vouchers, and vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while funding remains available.

Through July 1, 2026, the voucher amounts described by the county are $200 for dogs and $100 for cats. Once Animal Care issues a voucher, it can be used with a pre-approved participating veterinary clinic.

For an owned pet, the animal must live in an unincorporated San Bernardino County service area. Up to four owned pets per household may receive the service. For community cats, eligibility is based on the trapping address, which must be within an unincorporated county service area.

Animal Establishment Permits

Animal Care issues establishment permits within its service area for operations such as animal menageries, auctions or vendors, calf ranches, catteries, exotic-animal establishments, game bird barns, hog ranches, kennels, pet grooming businesses, pet shops, and petting zoos.

Catteries and dog kennels are among the most common permits. The county states that these generally require a minimum parcel size of 2.5 acres and a special-use or conditional-use permit.

A special-use permit allows up to 15 adult cats or dogs that are four months old or older. A conditional-use permit applies to more than 15 adult dogs or cats or to qualifying operations on less than 2.5 acres. These land-use permits are issued by the Land Use Services Department rather than Animal Care, so applicants should distinguish the Animal Care establishment permit from the land-use approval that may also be required.

Animal Laws and Citations

Animal Care enforces state animal welfare laws and county codes within its service area. The county identifies subjects including animal abuse and neglect, bites, dumping, noise, animals left in vehicles, loose animals, rabies, service animals, spay and neuter rules, and tethering.

Local rules can vary by jurisdiction. County ordinances may apply in unincorporated areas, while Big Bear Lake, Yucaipa, and Highland have their own local provisions concerning the number of animals permitted on a property. Property zoning can also affect animal limits in unincorporated areas.

Citation Fees and Deadlines

Administrative citation fees are $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense, and $500 for a third offense. The county states that penalties are cumulative and that citations may be issued for each day a violation continues.

Payment is due within 30 calendar days. Payments may be made online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Mailed payments may be made by cashier's check, money order, or personal check payable to the County of San Bernardino, and the citation number must be included. In-person payments may be made by cash, debit card, or credit card.

A citation should not be confused with a dog-license transaction or an adoption payment. Each has a separate purpose, fee structure, and processing procedure.

Wildlife Around Homes and Pets

Wild animals can carry diseases that affect people or companion animals, including distemper, plague, and rabies. Animal Care advises residents not to touch or feed wildlife and to keep pets from sharing food or water with wild animals.

If wildlife poses a threat or hazard to people or pets within the Animal Care service area, the department may be contacted. Preventive measures identified by the county include keeping sturdy lids on garbage containers, reducing brush and hiding places around buildings, securing fencing, removing outdoor water sources, feeding pets indoors, and picking up uneaten pet food.

Pet vaccinations should be kept current, and children or small pets should not be left outside alone where wildlife is active. Residents using trails should remain alert, particularly during early morning or nighttime hours.

Animal Care Departments and Offices

San Bernardino County Department of Animal Care
658 E. Brier Dr., 1st Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92408
800-472-5609

Animal Care FAQs

How long can I keep a found pet before it legally becomes mine?

San Bernardino County Animal Care states that, under applicable law, keeping a found animal for 15 days makes you the owner. Before reaching that point, residents should make reasonable efforts to identify the existing owner, including checking identification tags, having the animal scanned for a microchip, and notifying nearby residents. The county's found-pet guidance explains the steps to take after finding an animal and distinguishes ordinary found-pet situations from animals needing immediate assistance.

How many dogs or cats can I have at my home?

The answer depends on where the property is located and, in some cases, its lot size or zoning. In unincorporated San Bernardino County residential areas, the general limit is two cats and/or two dogs, although zoning can change what is permitted. Big Bear Lake generally allows two to five cats or dogs depending on lot size. Yucaipa allows combinations of two to five dogs, cats, or pot-bellied pigs depending on lot size, with additional permits required at the highest level. Highland generally allows up to four cats or dogs on lots under 20,000 square feet and up to eight on larger lots. Residents should review the county's animal laws and pet-limit information before adding animals to a property.

Will the shelter take a healthy adult stray cat?

Healthy adult cats are generally not accepted routinely at the Devore or Big Bear shelters, but intake is not automatically refused in every situation. Animal Care evaluates cats individually and may admit one when circumstances justify sheltering it. The county gives severe winter weather in mountain communities as an example of a situation in which a stray adult cat could be admitted for safety. The community cat guidance explains how these cases are handled.

What happens if a found cat has a microchip?

If a community or found cat is discovered to have a microchip, Animal Care will make efforts to help reunite the cat with its owner. If the finder cannot safely keep the cat while reunification is attempted, Animal Care may take the microchipped cat into its care. A microchip therefore changes how the situation may be handled compared with an apparently unowned, healthy community cat.