If you see an animal being abused or you suspect animal abuse, don’t keep it to yourself or remain silent, visit or call the police department, county shelter, and local humane society or SPCA in your area—or one of the services listed below—immediately. Do not wait to report it—time is often critical to save the animal from further abuse. You can make your call anonymously, but by making the call you will ensure that animals in need are rescued and that perpetrators of animal cruelty are brought to justice.
Here’s Where to Report Abuse in Your Area
(in addition to Police/Sheriff Departments)
Alameda County Sheriff’s Office
4595 Gleason Drive
Dublin
(925) 803-7040
Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)
2890 Mitchell Drive
Walnut Creek
(925) 256-1273
Antioch Animal Services
300 L Street
Antioch
(510) 779-6989
Benecia Vallejo Humane Society
1121 Sonoma Boulevard
Vallejo
(707) 645-7905
Berkeley Animal Shelter
2013 2nd Street
Berkeley
(510) 981-6609
Contra Costa County Animal Services Dept.
4849 Imhoff Place
Martinez
(925) 335-8300
Contra Costa County Animal Services Dept.
910 San Pablo Avenue
Pinole
(510) 347-3966
Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office
651 Pine Street, 7th Floor
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 335-150, Emergence: 9-1-1
Contra Costa Humane Society
609 Gregory Lane, Suite 140
Pleasant Hill
(925) 279-2247
Oakland Animal Services
1101 29th Avenue
Oakland
(510) 535-5602
Oakland SPCA (East Bay SPCA)
8323 Baldwin Street
Oakland
(510) 569-0702
Tri-Valley Animal Rescue
4595 Gleason Drive
Dublin
(925) 803-7043
Tri-Valley SPCA (East Bay SPCA)
4651 Gleason Drive
Dublin
(925) 479-9670
Valley Humane Society
3670 Nevada Street
Pleasanton
(510) 426-8656
Signs whether an animal has been or is being abused – here are some indicators: (Source: ASPCA)
Physical Signs:
- Collar so tight that it has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet’s neck.
- Open wounds, signs of multiple healed wounds or an ongoing injury or illness that isn’t being treated.
- Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes.
- Extreme thinness or emaciation—bones may be visible.
- Fur infested with fleas, ticks or other parasites.
- Patches of bumpy, scaly skin rashes.
- Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat.
- Weakness, limping, or the inability to stand or walk normally.
- Heavy discharge from eyes or nose.
- An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal.
- Visible signs of confusion or extreme drowsiness.
Environmental Signs:
- Pets are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary.
- Pets are kept outside in inclement weather without access to adequate shelter.
- Pets are kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass or other objects that could harm them.
- Animals are housed in kennels or cages (very often crowded in with other animals) that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around and make normal movements possibly with too many other animals.
Tips for Reporting Animal Cruelty
When reporting animal abuse, it’s important to provide a concise, written, factual statement of what you observed, giving dates and approximate times whenever possible. If at all possible, try to photograph the abusive situation and date your pictures. It would also be helpful to get short, factual written statements from other witnesses.
Follow Up If Necessary
If you don’t receive a response from the officer assigned to your case within a reasonable length of time, don’t be afraid to present your information to his or her supervisor and, if necessary, to local government officials, such as the county commissioner, and ask them to act.
If you have witnessed the cruelty yourself, you can go to your local police commissioner and ask to swear out a warrant to summon the accused person to court. Remember that expert witnesses are sometimes necessary in animal cruelty cases. A veterinarian, for example, can sign a statement that it is his or her “expert opinion” that a dog suffers when hit with a chain, is deprived of food, etc. Expert opinions will very often make or break a case, so if you happen to know a sympathetic veterinarian, you may wish to seek his or her assistance and tell the officer that you have expert support lined up for your case.