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Animal control: who to call

Strays, lost pets, barking dogs and injured animals in coastal North County all go to one agency. Here's who, the numbers, and where lost pets end up.

The Torrey Pines cliffs above Black's Beach
The Torrey Pines cliffs above Black's Beach · photo: Wikimedia Commons, public domain

In Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, animal control is the San Diego Humane Society, North Campus: 760-757-4357. Emergencies: 619-299-7012, press 1.

Rancho Santa Fe and other unincorporated areas are the County's Department of Animal Services instead.

What's happening?

  • An emergency: an injured animal, a dog attack, cruelty: San Diego Humane Society, emergency line (press 1), 619-299-7012
  • Strays, barking dogs, off-leash dogs, noise: San Diego Humane Society, North Campus, 760-757-4357 · details
  • Lost or found pet: San Diego Humane Society lost and found; check the Oceanside shelters in person · details
  • Injured or orphaned wildlife: Project Wildlife, San Diego Humane Society's Wildlife Help Hub · details
  • Rancho Santa Fe and other unincorporated areas: County of San Diego Department of Animal Services, 619-236-2341 · details

Lost pet? Check the shelters

  • Dogs: San Diego Humane Society, 2905 San Luis Rey Road, Oceanside.
  • Cats and small animals: 572 Airport Road, Oceanside.

Both serve Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Oceanside, Solana Beach and Vista, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm. Report the loss too, on the lost and found page.

Not the same thing

Rancho Coastal Humane Society (389 Requeza Street, Encinitas) is a separate 501(c)(3) shelter and adoption nonprofit. It's a great place to adopt or donate, but the County lists San Diego Humane Society as the animal control agency for these cities.

Need hands?

Printing lost-pet flyers, posting them around the neighborhood, a run to the Oceanside shelters: Text PJ. More who-do-I-call: water · trash and recycling · just need a human.

Sources: County of San Diego, animal control agencies · San Diego Humane Society, Humane Law & Animal Protection and jurisdictions by ZIP · Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Checked October 5, 2026.

Need a human?

This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.

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Questions people ask

Who handles animal control in Solana Beach and Encinitas?

San Diego Humane Society's North Campus, 760-757-4357, which also serves Carlsbad, Del Mar, Oceanside and Vista. Emergencies: 619-299-7012, press 1.

Where do lost dogs from Encinitas or Solana Beach go?

San Diego Humane Society's Oceanside campus: dogs at 2905 San Luis Rey Road, cats and small animals at 572 Airport Road, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

Is Rancho Coastal Humane Society animal control?

No. It's a separate 501(c)(3) shelter and adoption nonprofit in Encinitas; the County lists San Diego Humane Society as the animal control agency for these cities.

Who handles animal control in Rancho Santa Fe?

The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services, 619-236-2341, for unincorporated areas.

Know someone who needs this?

Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.

More free local tools: the North County toolkit.

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