Santa Clara County Animal Shelter Receives High Marks

SAN JOSE, CA — Santa Clara County’s Animal Services Department achieved a 94.3 percent live-release rate from Maddie's Fund – one of the best in California.

The county’s shelter in San Martin has maintained a similar status since 2013 from the Pleasanton-based foundation created in 1994 to spur increased community lifesaving of animals as well as to help with shelter management and medicine education. The organization represents a fulfillment of a promise to the founders', Dave and Cheryl Duffield's, inspirational dog, who died in March 1997.

The county's current 94.3 percent live release rate represents the shelter’s highest percentage ever. Additionally, the shelter is an open admission shelter meaning all animals are accepted from County service areas, regardless of temperament and condition.

“I am proud of our animal shelter’s 94.3 percent live-release rate, especially since they take in all animals, regardless of their condition,” Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman said. “Our animal services team ensures that dogs, cats, horses, chickens, rabbits and many other animals are rescued and provided forever homes.”

While a new state-of-the-art animal services center is scheduled to open in 2021, the current facility is more than 40-years-old and small, making the no-kill rate that much more impressive.