Animal services in Monterey County, Salinas reducing services due to coronavirus
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Monterey County Animal Services and Salinas Animal Services announced that they will be reducing services due to coronavirus.
For the time being, all animals found in Salinas in Marina will be taken to MCAS in an effort to consolidate services and share resources.
When it comes to stray animals, community members are asked to only bring in stray cats who seem to be sick or injured. All others should stay where they are. There are shelter services for stray dogs, but community members are asked to do everything they can before contacting the shelter. Anyone who finds a stray dog can email Animal Services at animalservices@co.monterey.ca.us with pictures and information about the dog to be posted online, but also use Facebook, Craigslist, NextDoor and www.findingrover.com to try to find the owner.
To talk to someone within the City of Salinas about a stray animal can call an animal control officer at 831-758-7048 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. In unincorporated parts of Monterey County, call Field Services at 831-769-8856 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Mating season is coming up, so Animal Services expects to see more kittens. Litters should be brought to the shelter if the mother has not returned to them in six to eight hours. but community members should watch and wait from a distance. Animal Services recommends waiting because mothers leave kittens to hunt for food and return after that.
If your pet was brought to the shelter, call ahead between Tuesday and Saturday at 831-769-8850. You will asked to bring proof of ownership. All of the animals in the shelter can be seen here.
Animal Control Officers will still respond to public safety and animal welfare calls, but calls that are less urgent will be deferred. They will wear personal protection equipment whenever they are working with the public.
In the City of Salinas, emergency animal calls can be reported by calling 831-758-7321 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. between Monday and Friday. Call 831-769-8856 between 8 a.m. of 5 p.m. Monday through Friday if the animal is in unincorporated parts of Monterey County.
Some of the programs suspended include community cat public spay and neuter services, public and community outreach events and the volunteer program and new volunteer orientations.
The shelters are looking for approved emergency foster homes that are suitable for the program. Anyone interested can find more information here.
Dog license programs are still separate depending on where you live, but there are no in-person or phone services available. In Salinas, dog licenses can be processed at www.salinasanimals.com or mailed to 222 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901. In unincorporated Monterey County, dog licenses can be processed through the mail, and payment should be sent to Monterey County Animal Services, 160 Hitchcock Road, Salinas, CA 93908.
Anyone with questions or concerns can call 831-769-8850.
