Seal Beach Animal Care Center

So I was hesitant at first from adopting from here. I read the reviews and it seemed almost impossible. My husband and I had been heartbroken when a rescue organization denied us due to lack of experience with special needs dogs. Anyways, out of a whim I came here with my best friend one day to look around. See if I felt a connection to one of their dogs. I saw two small dogs and we went for a walk. Unfortunately it didn’t click with us. I spoke to a volunteer, told her what personality traits and temperament I was looking for in a dog. She suggested a husky. When I saw her I fell in love. It wasn’t just her appearance, it’s like she was meant to come home with me. So I went for it. I completed the application, went through the interview, had a meet with her and my dog, and in the end I was able to adopt her! Best decision ever was to give this place a try!
Now, this place is NOT an animal shelter that will let you take an animal after a couple questions. The volunteers here work closely with these animals everyday, they know in what household they would fit best. They are only looking out for them since every now and then they have people return animals to them because they didn’t fit their lifestyle or expectations. So do not take it personal if you get denied for a particular dog. It doesn’t mean they think your a bad dog or cat owner, it’s just that they might go for someone who would be a better fit. When I was denied from the rescue organization I felt like I was labeled «unworthy» and I was mad because I felt they came to those conclusions without even knowing me. But then I realized they were probably waiting for a better applicant or wanted a specific household. Either way, I was turned off from adopting. Had I stuck to my way of thinking I would have never gone to Seal Beach that Sunday and met the wonderful husky girl I have now.
All I can say is give this place a shot. They really want the animals there to get adopted, they are just a bit more selective. Give this place a try, I didn’t meet any rude person while I was there. Ask questions, ask them maybe who THEY think would best fit your lifestyle. I will definitely recommend this place to everyone!

Just adopted an awesome cat here. I was totally impressed by this facility it didn’t smell at all and everything was immaculate. Great people too.

Ok, so I rarely give 5 stars to any establishment but this facility is exceptional. Keep in mind the objective here is to place the fury one in a home that best suits the needs of the animal and the family/​individual. Some of the negative reviews are from applicants where the animal and home were not a good match. We are a first time adopting family with 2 children. We have been to the shelter previously but were unable to find a animal that matched our home environment. The staff goes through great lengths to ensure the new member of your family will be exactly that. If you see things from that perspective adding a new family member is an exhausting process. We were matched with a Siberian Husky that was 4 years old. Looking at this beautiful creature we were astounded that an animal this healthy and gorgeous was even in a shelter. She literally belongs on the front cover of any dog food advertisement. She clearly was a favorite of the shelter and they were determined to make sure any potential applicants would provide an excellent home. Saying that the process took two days and we spent a great deal of time getting to know our new family member and letting her get to know us. When it was clear we were a good match the process was completed very quickly and we were allowed to bring our new baby home! My advice is to please be patient and understand the goal here is to provide excellent service to the potential adopting family AND the animal. All the animals here are loved and treated with the best possible care. I would highly recommend this facility and trust you will get an exceptional new family member out of the process. The fees are incredibly low and they even provide a free visit to the Vet! 5 stars gladly!

Please do not let the negative reviews of this facility deter you from visiting if you are looking to adopt a new furry family member. All of the animals are exceptionally loved and taken care of here. On the particular day we visited, a dog was visiting with his new family who had been in this facility for over a year before he was adopted. The volunteers (who walk, feed, play with, and bathe the animals, among other things) were overjoyed to see this pup. There are very few places locally where you can adopt an animal who has been this loved and cared for while waiting for a forever home.
I understand that the process to adopt is much more involved than if you were to adopt from a standard county shelter (yes, we went through the whole process!). The double-​sided application does ask about your daily life and the interview was *slightly* intimidating, I will admit — though that’s just because I had never been interviewed to adopt a dog before! I can tell that the animals’ best interests really are at the heart of Seal Beach Animal Care Center — they just want to make sure the pets are matched to the right families. They feed, play with, and care for these animals for sometimes months before you get there, then they only charge a $ 120 adoption fee… in my opinion, they have the right to be picky about the placement of these pets.
I will recommend this place to anyone I know looking to adopt a cat or dog. You will have a much different experience here than any of the other local shelters. Keep doing great work, Seal Beach Animal Care Center!

Came here looking to adopt a medium size dog. The staff here are very friendly and greeted us right away. She took us to the back and gave us a tour of the place and introduced each and every one of their dogs. You can tell that she really cares about the dogs and knows them very well. We did not find a dog for us here today but she gave us a list of resources to other local shelters and even a list of rescues by specific breeds. The facility is clean and well maintained. We are glad that we stopped by here.

Seal Beach Animal Shelter is filled with loving people who save the lives of animals every day. I found a sweet German Shepherd girl wandering around on New Years Eve. She was incredibly skinny, covered in fleas, had flystrike on her ears, was not spayed, had an umbilical hernia, and just needed someone to love her. It was apparent someone had not taken care of her in the past and had been on her own for awhile. She bravely walked up to my boyfriend, friends, and me and practically begged us to rescue her. Everyone was closed the following day for the holiday but Seal Beach got back to me promptly the following day. I took the dog (now named Eve) to the vet. I paid for the visit but they covered the rest of the costs including shots and chipping her. The following day I dropped her off at the shelter, fully expecting to pick her up a few days later to foster and take her to a local rescue. Instead, they told me that they are absolutely no-​kill (except in extreme cases where the dog is so sick that it is only humane to euthanize) and that they’d take care of her until she found her forever home. They don’t foster because they want their dogs to be available every day for adoption. I was reluctant to leave her but left feeling like she was in a good and safe place with people who would care for her. I Facebook messaged the shelter with more info and pictures of her and they’ve been excellent about responding with updates. She’s on their Facebook page and website and she looks really happy. I’m so glad I trusted Seal Beach with such a sweet dog. I know that they’ll love Eve and care for her until her forever home is found.

I would highly suggest avoiding adopting a pet from this establishment, unless you’re looking for an emotionally stunted cat or dog that is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. The people working there were nice and helpful, but are rather kooky, coming off as a collection of crazy cat ladies that decided to turn their nutty passion for cats into a day job.
The cat rooms were pretty bizarre. Each room was overrun with cats and they all had a tiny little TV set which was creepy as hell. The vibe was somewhere between One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest for cats and Meowschwitz.
Seriously though, despite being a no kill shelter, I think most cats would prefer the afterlife than being stuck in this little kitty insane asylum. So if you want to truly rescue a cat, you can save one from this place, but more than likely the cat will have some sort of mental illness.

My husband and I adopted Luna, a kitten last July. She is the the friendliest and most affectionate pet that I’ve ever had! Luna’s foster mom at the shelter did a fantastic job! The interview process is thorough because the shelter wants to make sure that their animals are going to a permanent home. I also got a cat a few years ago from SBACC. She is wonderful, and bonded with Luna very quickly.

We just adopted sweet little dog from there and I must say that the place is great. It’s clean and well taken care. Dogs look happy for despite the circumstances. The interview takes time but that’s ok. It only shows that they do care where their animals goes too.
So when I read that someone gives one star because he is upset that he didn’t qualify for a dog it shows again only how immature that person is!
They do care about dogs when nobody else wants to do it — so just get it to your small brains that having a dog it’s a great responsibility– it’s not a toy ! It’s part of a family where he must be safe and happy!
So good job ladies! And Thank you for everything you have done !

I had no issues when I adopted my furson from SBACC. Yes, their standards are very high (and specific) for adopters but they are so invested every animal that comes through their doors. Better safe than sorry. They do take excellent care of them while they are there. I’m sure most of you that had your applications denied, are excellent animal owners and I could see why you’d be upset though.
When I was a kid, someone left two kittens in a box at my door. My family couldn’t keep them and refused to take them to the pound. A family friend that lives in Rossmore, told us to take them to SBACC. My mom and I drove down there, and were told that they could only take animals from seal beach residents. My mom offered a generous donation if they’d make an exception. Which they accepted. The whole time though, they were very compassionate and helpful. We were so grateful, that we requested donations be sent there, in lue of flowers, when my grandmother and grandfather passed.

I am giving 3 stars because I am have mixed feelings about the center.
Our family absolutely LOVES our new dog but the process in adopting him was a bit nerve racking. I completely understand that the interview process and background information is necessary to ensure loving and safe homes but I think it goes a little overboard. We are the type of family that spoils our pets, there are literally treated like another child. During the adoption process I felt as though we were on trial and at one point I was scared that we would get denied because we would allow our dog to go outside to pee unattended. Coyotes are a problem in Orange County but you cannot live in fear 24 hours a day. The woman actually describe a little dog like ours as «coyote bait».
Having said all that, I think the price was fair. They gave us starter food, a leash and a collar which was nice. In the end, we love our dog and I am very happy he was taken in and cared for by the Seal Beach Center until the Universe could bring us together.

Coming from a career in the military, I can readily agree to the interview processing and how it can be used to discern who will be ready and capable of handling an adopted rescue animal and who won’t. It works when there are few other tools available to determine whether an adopter knows or understands what they’re getting into with a new dog or cat. I think I almost failed my interview when I described what I thought were «safe» practices I used with my last dog, the immortal Palito. Fortunately, I did not. Jane Parnes, our guide throughout the procedure, stayed with us the whole hour plus we were there, providing a tour of the facilities all the while talking about dog-​handling. I was thoroughly impressed with her knowledge and acquiesced to her ken over mine after just a few minutes. She was Master & Commander here as she led us to my Grendel née Romeo.
Grendel, a min-​pin/​Chihuahua mix, 9 month old, was introduced and Jane watched closely as I came to know the handsome, new fella in my life. His initial reluctance to bond was short-​lived as he found a thumb to gnaw on while Jane and I discussed his and my own needs for a decade or so of care to a new member of the family. He had been seen by the vet, shots given, neutered, flea-​treated and all the other necessities to ready my boy for an easy adoption (once the paperwork was done). They do everything for you here to make the process quick and painless including paying for Grendel’s first post-​adoption vet visit.
To me, there is nothing closer to God (in whatever form you believe) than a good dog and I know my life is better and richer with a little fur-​ball of love alongside me. I think Grendel and I will be partners for a long time. Thank you, SBACC!

Wow, the haters are silly for the most part. First of all, if you get denied, you either don’t meet the standards (sorry, I agree a German Shepherd puppy does not belong in a two bedroom apartment), or you’re just not good at job interviews, (aka lying). Me? Oh, sure, I am independently wealthy so I don’t need to work, and I never leave the house, except to buy more pee jars. Sure, I have a huge flealess yard and my wife is an animal dietician with access to the finest dog foods. I don’t eat chocolate or guacamole or grapes, I never hit my dog, but rather he is on a token economy behavioral plan where he can earn kibbles and/​or bits. I have the Squirrel Channel on 24/​7, I bathe my dog in Fiji water, and I take the blame for his dog farts instead of the other way around.
But, yeah, they are strict. My friend’s dog was brought there when her roommate (and dog) was suddenly evicted. When my friend returned to town, SBACC would not release her back because they said the dog was too skinny, and was therefore neglected/​abused. The truth is that the dog had a reduced appetite and/​or trouble eating or something because it had previously swallowed a staple for which it received thousands of dollars of vet care to correct. Anyway, it took my friend a few days to get records to prove that. (In the meantime, a friend of mine who works there said they were naming the dog and fighting over who could keep it, but that’s heresay.) What I do know is that she did get her dog back, and a lady there graciously gave her a bunch of wet and dry food. For that reason, I donate extra blankets and towels to them whenever I get the chance.
As for my adoption experience? I love going to the cat house, and I went there a few times just to pet cats. After a squirt of hand sanitizer, they took me from room to room tried to get me to adopt the old cats, the crazy cats, the mean cats, the cats that requires shots, the cats with AIDS, the Siamese Twin cats, the transgendered cats («I am Cat») etc. And I considered it. But I wanted a fresh new kitten, so I could help shape his personality. For as strict as they are, they’re not as bad as the people found outside pet store chains who demanded we take TWO cats or NO cats. Anyway, we found the perfect cat Princeton, who we renamed Doobie. (Because he costs about 200 an ounce, ha). We were interviewed (living in a busy part of Long Beach, I promised to keep him indoors or on a leash, a promise I’ve kept) and the fees for microchip, shots, and adoption fees were not bad ($ 110 or so, I forget).
They encouraged me to hashtag #SBACC so they could follow his life story in our forever home, and I do. (#doobielbc)
[PS. If anyone took «Regina» in Sept 2010, let us know… that was Doobie’s sister and we could have a reunion!]

The 1 star is for the attempt the shelter is making to help homeless pets!
We are a nice, boring, regular family (mom/​dad/​kid) with a house and a big back yard. Our daughter was getting a little older so we were ready to adopt a dog. (Finally!) SBACC was our first stop.
We were greeted by an older woman, but immediately told that she didn’t feel comfortable adopting out to a household with a child, because there was too great a risk that we would return the dog because the dog and child might not get along. She also asked if we worked, and we said yes, we both work…which was the wrong answer! We couldn’t have a dog. (Any dog.) Because someone needs to stay home with the dog.
Anyways, the next weekend we found a great dog over at the Lakewood Adopt and Shop. The staff was happy to see us and glad to let us adopt a dog. AND the dog is living a very happy and contented life with a family who loves her very much.
So, I would advise going to another shelter or rescue if you have kids or if you can’t stay home all day with the dog.

There aren’t enough stars to rate the staff at SBACC. We adopted our cat Magic Mike from here and he turned out to be the most perfect addition to our family– a dream cat!!! He is 7 yrs old and has been at the shelter since 2013. Many people tried to adopt him but changed their mind due to a droopy lip he has and medication he must take daily. Their loss! Yet, the staff cared for him, provided excellent health care, kept meticulous records and made damn sure he found a home w people who were serious. The adoption process is not a slam dunk by any means but I think it’s worth it to find the right home and not just give pets away without due diligence. Great job, everybody and thank you for caring for him. We got it from here!

Well, here is the response they wrote on their FB page to the same exact thing my husband sent as an email:
Dear Chad, I am sorry that you are upset with your SBACC experience. However, we support all of the decisions of our dog welfare team, and are sorry that you could not find a slightly older dog to become a part of your family. We do hope that you find the puppy you’re looking for, as there are many in need of homes, and by adopting at a city shelter you are indeed saving a life. Thank you for adopting, it is a wonderful thing to do. Just to be clear to anyone else reading this, our animals are never kept in cages, they are in runs, and the puppies have the biggest run in the entire shelter. As well, they are given multiple walks everyday and play yard time. They are given a ton of love from our Kennel Attendants and volunteers, have warm and cozy beds, and want for nothing. Thanks very much for coming in, sorry that the experience did not end the way you wanted. Best, SBACC
While polite, nothing to address how their welfare team makes their decisions, and no explanation for us. I would also like to add that until very recently, the puppy we wanted to adopt was still there at the shelter, and as of today her brother still remains. What a sad life for a sweet puppy.

DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE 10 CENTS!!! Do Not apply to adopt an animal; you will just be wasting your time & you will be spoken to as though you are dirt.
This is really a covert, small collective of psychotic cat/​dog women & their precious hoard. Get too close & these women will come up with the most insane reasons why you cannot adopt.
For instance, did you know that you will be subjected to an intense interrogation over the phone? Did you know that an oligarchy of cat/​dog ladies will scrutinize your answer of «What would you do for the animal if there was a tsunami?» Did you know you can be banned from adoption here for life because you allow your cats outside to pee & sunbathe? I had a cat previously that I allowed outside to frolic & I was banned for that. I was literally banned because 15 years ago I allowed a cat outside. Did you know that allowing your dog to sleep outside if it wants will get you banned? Did you know that having a patio on your property will also get you banned? Did you know that you need a vet on call 24 – 7 or else?
Don’t get me wrong; I wanted to like this place. I honestly wanted to give this place a glowing, positive review, but after the way I was interrogated & literally told I could not adopt because I would let a cat pee outside & sunbathe; I can’t help but try & save as many people from this horrible WTF experience as I can.

After a very lengthy interview process etc (i live in newport beach), they declined my application based on the cat i selected (see why below). They left us with the impression this is a great fit for us from 2 people including the one that interviewed us at length. I expressed what I wanted several times.
So after that they send me an email saying the cat needs more attention than we can give him, and they think i won’t like his personality! How could we not like his personality when I said he he is exactly what we want … plus he doesn’t get hardly any attention in the shelter and he has been there 8 months now and he is described as a reserved sort of cat and they are saying I’m supposed to change his personality and I won’t be able to provide enough attention for him… that’s not what it says online about this cat at all it says he wants a quiet home, secondly I have a 13 year old who is home after 3 p.m. and I’m a stay at home working mom how much more attention and peace and quiet can a cat get?
They run these specials but they act like they don’t want to give you the cat as if im saying i want the cat because of the price. The cat I chose fit our needs exactly. how much better could you get in Newport Beach as a good environment for the cat as if I’m a cat hoarder or some insulting crap.
What’s even crazier is I’ve been a strict vegan for 7 years and somehow I don’t have the patience or kindness for the cat?! Wow!
no suggestions for a different cat except go somewhere else, took my drivers license number, and expected next day pick up. I talked with the director, so how she concluded my home is ANY different than what is listed on their website for the cat’s needs is unbelievable.
They don’t answer the phone and they don’t return a phone call to try to explain they got my request wrong and they just won’t even try
Im thinking this place wants to keep the cats that look the worst that they «rescued» to keep trying to look like they need donations. There was another cat with a burned foot that I loved but they didn’t even try to show because“2 other applications are currently in for him”, lo and behold «both applications were denied, but you can go to the Irvine animal shelter»!?! Wtf?!

We’ve been looking around at different shelters in the LBC area to adopt a dog. I was *very* impressed by the facility. There is an outdoor doggy playground (kind of like a mini dog park) where the little ones can get some exercise and the dogs don’t seem pent up at all in their larger than life kennels. There is a comfy bed for each pup, and from what I can remember, plenty of toys to go around.
They also accept toy donations and you can tell the volunteers really car about the dogs.

We adopted our cat Malcolm from here, and I highly recommend this shelter. The volunteers are quite knowledgeable about their guests and treat them with great care.
They have a wide variety of cats and dogs with all kinds of personalities. Some might get along with your other pets, others might prefer to live only with humans. Keep in mind that the volunteers have the animals’ interests in mind as well as yours, and the interview process is essential for finding a match that will benefit everyone.
Remember: there’s a reason why we adopt from shelters rather than buy them from breeders or pet stores. We want to support places who take in unwanted animals rather than give money to people who perpetuate the animal population problem. There are so many cats and dogs here who need a happy and loving home. Please visit SBACC and give one a chance!
BTW, they host fundraisers, too. We befriended a beer rep at one of them, wound up hanging out after hours, and got to take home the leftover beer! Thanks!
Ask before you go, but I think that they have other animals to adopt besides cats and dogs. Someone once dropped off a rat here. It was pretty tame so I let it crawl on me. I could see a rat being a cool pet for someone. I don’t think our cats would agree, though!
Thanks, SBACC, for all that you do, and for taking such good care of Malcolm. Our family wouldn’t be the same without him!