Changes coming to the SB Animal Care Center

The Seal Beach Animal Care Center (SBACC) was founded in 1986 by a group of kind, concerned citizens who wanted a local shelter for cats and dogs. It is located at 1700 Adolfo Lopez Drive, next to the Seal Beach Police Station. It is a no-kill, nonprofit, private charity group and the only animal shelter in Seal Beach.

From 2004-2023, the shelter received a small contract ($10,000 per year) from the City of Seal Beach to take care of the city’s stray dogs and cats. During this time, the City of Long Beach Animal Care Services provided animal control services for the City of Seal Beach.

Last year, the City of Seal Beach made the decision to assume animal control responsibilities so it could provide better service to the city’s residents and save on costs. To this end, the City of Seal Beach issued a bid request. One bid was received from Westminster Adoption Group Services (WAGS), and they were chosen effective July 1.

The SBACC was approached early on to continue providing animal care under its existing small contract, but the sticking point was caring for domestic exotic pets. Seal Beach’s animal control contract needs to cover all animals, not just dogs and cats. The SBACC shelter does not have the expertise nor the

SBACC, page 12 space to do that, as it is strictly a dog and cat rescue center.

All stray animals found in the city will be picked up and transported by the police department’s new animal control services at WAGS, located at 6621 Westminster Blvd. in the city of Westminster. Email wagspetadoption.org for more information. To contact the Seal Beach Police Department’s Animal Control Services to report a stray, call 562-594-7232.

The SBACC will continue to remain open by receiving, caring for and adopting out dogs and cats that come from other shelters, rescue organizations and owner-relinquished or returned animals.