Santa Barbara County Animal Services locations will have expanded hours starting Tuesday, offering residents more time to visit and adopt local shelter animals.Â
The county animal shelters in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Lompoc, will offer extended hours from Tuesday through Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The initiative is designed to give the community greater access, ensuring that pet lovers have more time to visit, adopt, and participate in a variety of services offered by the shelter.Â
"The extension of our operating hours is a significant step towards achieving our mission of finding loving homes for animals in need," said Sarah Aguilar, animal services director. "We believe these changes will make our shelters more accessible to the community and enable us to provide more comprehensive services to our beloved pets and their families."
The expansion aims to accommodate the varying schedules of residents, ultimately leading to increased adoptions and improved welfare for animals in need.
The shelters will remain closed on Monday, and on holidays.
Animal Services will also be holding volunteer orientation sessions this month to encourage the community to get involved, support the shelter's mission, and contribute to the welfare of animals.
The orientation sessions start at 3 p.m.:
- Santa Maria: Friday Oct. 20 or Monday, Oct. 23
- Lompoc: Thursday, Oct. 19
- Santa Barbara: Wednesday, Oct. 18 or Wednesday, Oct. 25
Learn more about the work of SBCAS, and what volunteer and fostering opportunities are available. See a list of available shelter animals waiting to be adopted on, www.countyofsb.org/415/Animal-Services.