Pet Friends and Rescue in Hollister serves as San Benito County‘s primary non-profit rescue operation, focusing on finding homes for animals that come through local animal control. The organization pulls adoptable dogs and cats from Hollister Animal Control and houses them in a shelter environment until they’re matched with families. This distinction matters—they work specifically with rescue-ready animals rather than taking in strays off the street, which keeps their operation focused and sustainable.

One of their most valuable community services is The Pet Friends Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic. If you’ve got a dog needing surgery or know someone with cats who need spaying or neutering, the reduced pricing here makes a real difference in what you’d pay elsewhere. They’ve specifically extended this to the feral cat community in the county, offering specially priced services to help manage the feral population humanely. It’s the kind of practical work that prevents larger problems down the road.

Beyond routine adoptions and spay/neuter services, Pet Friends also steps in during emergencies when animals need temporary shelter and care while their owners recover from displacement—whether that’s from fire, flood, or other disasters. It’s a safety net that doesn’t get a lot of attention until someone actually needs it.

The organization operates as a 501(c)(3), meaning it relies on community support to keep running. If you’re looking to adopt in San Benito County, this is where to start. Even if adoption isn’t on your radar right now, the spay and neuter clinic serves the broader goal of preventing animal overpopulation in the region. Their intake protocol keeps the operation manageable and allows staff to focus on animals that are ready for homes, which typically means faster transitions and better outcomes for everyone involved.