The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services handles lost dogs, animal control, and shelter services across the unincorporated areas of the county. If your dog goes missing or you find a stray, this is one of your main resources—they process over 10,500 animals annually, including lost, abandoned, and neglected dogs, cats, and other animals. The team manages everything from dog licensing to investigating animal welfare concerns and reuniting lost pets with their owners.

When you have a lost dog situation, getting in touch quickly matters. They maintain detailed records of lost and found animals, so if someone brings in your dog or you’ve spotted one, reporting it here improves the chances of a reunion. Their website at sddac.com has resources for lost and found pet reporting, and you can also contact them directly for guidance on next steps whether you’re looking for your own dog or trying to help a stray you’ve encountered.

The shelter also operates adoption programs if you’re interested in giving a dog a home. Since they care for thousands of animals each year, there’s usually a range of ages, sizes, and temperaments available. Staff can help match you with a dog that fits your lifestyle and answer questions about individual animals’ histories and behavior.

Beyond the basics, they handle licensing requirements for dogs in unincorporated San Diego County, which is important since licenses help authorities reunite lost dogs with owners. They also respond to animal control calls involving dangerous situations, wildlife concerns, or animals in distress.

Keep their information readily available—whether you’re preventing a potential lost dog scenario by licensing your own dog or you need to report a stray you’ve found. Being familiar with their services before an emergency happens means you’ll know exactly where to turn if something goes wrong.