Santa Monica Animal Shelter Reaches Full Capacity, Halts Owner Surrenders

Santa Monica, CA - The Santa Monica Animal Shelter is currently operating at full capacity and is temporarily unable to accept owner-surrendered animals, city officials announced this week.

The alert was posted on social media by the Santa Monica Police Department on or around April 7–8, 2026. The shelter, which provides care for stray, abandoned, and surrendered dogs, cats, and other small animals, has no available space for additional intakes at this time." The Santa Monica Animal Shelter is currently at full capacity and is unable to accept owner surrenders at this time," the post stated.

Officials encouraged residents who are considering adding a pet to their family to consider adoption or fostering instead, noting that doing so would help create space for animals still in need.

The shelter is located at 1640 9th Street in Santa Monica. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closing daily from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. The public can view currently available animals through the city's Animal Services website or PetHarbor.

This is not the first time the facility has faced capacity challenges. In previous years, including surges reported in 2024 and 2025, the shelter has experienced overcrowding due to increased intakes of strays and surrenders, sometimes leading to measures such as waiving adoption fees or doubling up kennels.The Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation, a nonprofit partner of the city, supports adoption efforts, fundraising, and programs that promote the welfare of animals in the shelter.

How Residents Can HelpAdopt: Providing a permanent home directly frees up space.

Foster: Offering a temporary home for an animal until it can be adopted.

Donate: Supplies such as pet food, litter, blankets, and towels are often needed.

Share: Spreading awareness of available animals helps increase adoptions.

For more information or to inquire about adoption or fostering, contact the shelter at (310) 458-8595 or visit https://www.santamonica.gov/categories/services/animal-services. The Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation maintains additional resources and updates at smasf.org.

Animal shelters across the region periodically face capacity pressures, particularly during times of higher stray intakes or economic factors affecting pet owners. Local officials emphasize that community support through adoption and fostering plays a critical role in maintaining humane care standards and preventing further strain on the system.

The Santa Monica Observer will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the shelter's capacity changes.