Mendocino County Animal Protection Unit

Mendocino County Animal Protection Unit The Animal Protection Unit works under Animal Care Services.

08/19/2026

🐾 KNOW THE RULES WHEN BUYING, SELLING, OR GIVING AWAY ANIMALS

Did you know that under Sec. 10.08.040(B), there are restrictions on where animals may be displayed, offered for sale, exchanged, bartered, or given away?

With the exception of livestock at recognized auctions, fairs, or expositions, animals generally cannot be displayed or offered for sale, exchange, barter, or giveaway except in certain approved locations.

Those locations include:

🐶 Licensed/Permitted Animal Businesses & Organizations
Pet shops, commercial or private kennels, nonprofit incorporated pet adoption agencies, grooming parlors, animal shelters, humane society facilities, and horse establishments that have the required permits or licenses.

🏠 Private Residences

🩺 Veterinary Clinics

There are also provisions allowing permitted animal businesses and organizations to temporarily display animals at specialized locations when authorized by Animal Care Services, provided the animals remain under physical control and have adequate food, water, and shelter.

📌 Why does this matter?
If you see animals being advertised or offered for sale, trade, barter, or giveaway in a location that may not qualify under the ordinance, it’s important to know that there may be local regulations governing that activity.

Please check the full ordinance and applicable requirements before buying, selling, trading, or giving away an animal. 🐾

🐾 Is Your Dog’s License Up to Date? 🐾A friendly reminder to all dog owners: please make sure your dog’s license is curre...
08/17/2026

🐾 Is Your Dog’s License Up to Date? 🐾

A friendly reminder to all dog owners: please make sure your dog’s license is current and up to date! Licensing your dog is an important part of responsible pet ownership and helps make sure your furry family member can be properly identified if they ever become lost.

📅 Three-year licenses: If your dog receives a 3-year rabies vaccination, they may be eligible for a 3-year dog license as well. This can make keeping your dog’s licensing current a little easier!

🐶 Have 5 or more dogs? You may be eligible for a Non-Commercial Kennel License. If you have a larger number of dogs, be sure to check whether this applies to you.

⚠️ One more important reminder: If Animal Control happens to respond to your property for a call or another matter, your dog’s licensing status may be checked. If your dog is not properly licensed, you could be subject to a licensing citation.

Dog licensing requirements apply to everyone, and citations can be issued when dogs are found to be unlicensed or when licenses are not current.

Taking a few minutes to make sure your dog’s license is up to date can help you avoid a citation and, most importantly, help keep your pets properly identified.

Check your dog’s license today!

https://www.mendocinocounty.gov/departments/animal-care-services/dog-licenses

MISSING DOG - Navarro Ridge Rd, Albion Dog was found!This 10‑month‑old cattle dog went missing on Navarro Ridge Road in ...
08/15/2026

MISSING DOG - Navarro Ridge Rd, Albion
Dog was found!

This 10‑month‑old cattle dog went missing on Navarro Ridge Road in Albion near the helipad. The owner is looking for the dog, but because it is such a large area, they need help. The dog is microchipped and has tags.

Please call (707)472-2685 if you have this dog or have seen him, he is probably very scared and wanting to go home.

Why Microchipping Your Pets MattersMicrochipping is one of the most important steps you can take to help your pet get ho...
08/15/2026

Why Microchipping Your Pets Matters

Microchipping is one of the most important steps you can take to help your pet get home safely if they ever go missing. When animals come into the shelter, we rely on the microchip information to contact the listed owner — which means up‑to‑date details are crucial.

If your pet is already microchipped, please take a moment to make sure your phone number, address, and email are current. Updated information helps us reach you as quickly as possible.

If you’re not sure how to update your pet’s microchip or attach it to your dog’s profile, our front desk staff is happy to help. Just reach out and we’ll walk you through the process.

Keeping your pet’s microchip information current is a simple step that can make all the difference when it matters most.

Our model dog is Trout! 🐾💙 We’re still not sure why this sweet boy hasn’t been adopted yet! Trout is such a fun, loving dog with a wonderful personality. He’s ready to find his forever family and bring lots of love, joy, and tail wags along with him! 🐶✨

Looking for helpful tools and resources?Our Animal Protection Unit website has a variety of online services designed to ...
08/13/2026

Looking for helpful tools and resources?
Our Animal Protection Unit website has a variety of online services designed to make things quicker and easier for our community.

You’ll find:

• Lost and found pet reports
• Bite exposure reporting
• Online pet licensing
• Witness statements and reporting forms

A direct link will be attached to this post, and you can also find it anytime on the Animal Protection Unit page under Contact Info.

We’re here to help you stay informed and connected — thank you for supporting responsible pet care in our community!

https://www.mendocinocounty.gov/government/animal-care-services

Found Puppies - Bauer Rd, LaytonvilleThese 3 large breed puppies were found on Bauer Rd in Laytonville. They were not fo...
08/11/2026

Found Puppies - Bauer Rd, Laytonville

These 3 large breed puppies were found on Bauer Rd in Laytonville. They were not found with collars or identifying tags.

If you know where these puppies belong to or these are yours, please reach out to us at (707)472-2685.

NOTICE REGARDING ANIMAL ABANDONMENTThis sweet male intact dog was left in our front play yard sometime between 5:00 PM a...
08/08/2026

NOTICE REGARDING ANIMAL ABANDONMENT

This sweet male intact dog was left in our front play yard sometime between 5:00 PM and 7:30 AM, while the shelter was closed.

This is not a safe, acceptable, or authorized way to surrender an animal. The dog was left without food and without adequate shelter. Our play yards are intended for supervised daytime use only and are not designated for overnight housing or unattended animal drop-offs.

Please do not leave animals at the shelter when we are closed. Doing so places the animal, staff, and other animals at risk and will result in enforcement action.

Please be advised that Mendocino County Code Sec. 10.08.040(A) - Miscellaneous states:

“It is unlawful and a misdemeanor to abandon any animal in Mendocino County.”

If this is your dog, or you know who he belongs to, please contact us at (707) 472-2685.

If you need to surrender an animal, please contact the shelter during regular operating hours and follow the appropriate intake procedures.

Animals must not be abandoned at the shelter, including in our play yards, after hours.

08/07/2026

Black male lamb missing in the Franklin Rd area of Fort Bragg near Simpson Ln. If you have the lamb or have seen him, please call (707)472-2685. Thank you for your help.

Found Dog - Willits Airport in BrooktrailsThis female dog was found at the airport in Brooktrails, she was found with a ...
08/06/2026

Found Dog - Willits Airport in Brooktrails

This female dog was found at the airport in Brooktrails, she was found with a collar but no identifying tags.

If this is your dog or you know who it may belong to, please reach out to us at (707)472-2685.

Found Dog - Road E, Redwood ValleyWhite, intact male Shepherd mix found on Road E in Redwood Valley. He was found wearin...
08/05/2026

Found Dog - Road E, Redwood Valley

White, intact male Shepherd mix found on Road E in Redwood Valley. He was found wearing a black and silver reflective collar when it was found but unfortunately no microchip. It is safe with the finder for the moment, but they can't hold onto the dog for much longer and are hoping to find its home.

Please contact us at (707)472-2685, if you know who the dog belongs to or if you have seen this dog.

Address

298 Plant Road
Ukiah, CA
95482

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm
Saturday 8am - 4:30pm
Sunday 8am - 4:30pm

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