Animal Control

The 20 cities and towns in San Mateo County contract with the County to operate a countywide animal control program.

San Mateo County Animal Control & Licensing

1600 W. Hillsdale Blvd. #203
San Mateo, CA 94402
Program Manager: (650) 573-3726

Mailing Address:
PO Box 5127
Redwood City, CA 94063

The County contracts with the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS), a private non-profit organization, to enforce all animal control laws, shelter homeless animals, and provide a variety of other services.

Services provided by Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA
12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94401
1450 Rollins Rd., Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 340-8200

• Rescue injured animals
• Capture of at-large or stray animals
• Investigate animal bites and attacks
• Removal of dead animals from public property
• Removal of dead or living wildlife from private property ONLY if such wildlife has direct contract with humans and/or animals that involves a bite or attack
• Enforce leash laws and local ordinances (please report barking dog complaints to your local police)
• Euthanasia of severely injured animals
• Investigate reports of animal cruelty

Breeders & Fanciers

Any person who owns or harbors a cat or dog over the age of six months which has not been spayed or neutered, shall procure a permit for breeding cats or dogs issued by San Mateo County Animal Control under Section 6.12.030 of the Municipal Code.  This annual permit is required in addition to licensing the animals. Note: Not all cities in San Mateo County allow breeding and/or Breeder Permits. Please check your city’s ordinance.

Any person’s property that is zoned to allow a person to harbor over four animals, dogs and cats, is also required to obtain a Fancier Permit from the Animal Control Program.  This annual permit is required in addition to licensing the animals. Note: Not all cities in San Mateo County allow Fancier Permits. Please check your city’s ordinance.

Breeder & Fancier Permits:

Breeder Permit Application
Fancier Permit Application

Quarantine Requirements

The State of California has been identified by the State Health Department as a rabies endemic area.  The following information and requirements are in accordance with California State Law as prescribed by the County of San Mateo Health System.

Domestic Animal (Cats and Dogs) Biting a Person

1. Report incident to Animal Control with this form (click on this link)
2. Any domestic animal that bites a person (a bite is defined as a puncture, pierce, or scratch inflicted by an animal’s mouth in which blood is drawn) shall be isolated in strict confinement and observed.  Dogs and cats with current or expired rabies vaccinations are required to be quarantined for 10 DAYS from the date of the bite. Read more

Domestic Animal (Cats and Dogs) Exposed to Wildlife

1. Report incident to Animal Control with this form (click on this link)
2. A domestic animal currently vaccinated against rabies that has been exposed to wildlife will be quarantined at home for 30 DAYS from the date of exposure.  A domestic animal not currently vaccinated against rabies that has been exposed to wildlife (and the wild animal is not available for testing) will be placed into quarantine for 6 MONTHS. Read more

Public Record Requests

Upon request, San Mateo County provides copies of public records under the guidelines of the California Public Record Act (Government Code Sec. 6250 et seq). Payment of a fee to cover the cost of duplication ($.20/page) is due upon receipt of the records requested. Please fill out the Public Record Request Form and fax to 650-573-2576 or soverbay@smcgov.org.

Salmonella Infection from Backyard Poultry

In 2019, CDC reported the largest number of people in the United States to become sick with Salmonella after contact with backyard poultry. Of the people who became sick, about 30% required hospitalization. Two deaths were confirmed. Whether you keep a backyard flock or visit neighbors, farms, stores, petting zoos, or fairs with live chickens, ducks, or geese, we advise you prevent possible Salmonella infection by careful handwashing after touching poultry or anything that has been contacted by the birds. Young children should be supervised by responsible adults while handwashing. For additional information about how to prevent Salmonella infection from live poultry, click https://www.cdc.gov/features/salmonellapoultry/index.html