Berkeley Animal Care Services
Our Mission
Friends of Berkeley Animal Care Services is a dedicated nonprofit working to improve the daily lives and long-term outcomes of animals in the municipal shelter’s care. We ensure every animal receives compassionate care, dignity, and a real chance at finding a loving home.
Who We Are
We are a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization that provides essential support to Berkeley Animal Care Services, the open-admission shelter serving Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Piedmont. Our partnership funds vital medical treatments, specialized training programs, and enrichment projects that make our shelter a national leader in lifesaving outcomes.
How We Operate
Our facility thrives on the collaboration of knowledgeable staff and hundreds of dedicated volunteers who contribute hundreds of hours weekly to support our animals. While many pets reside at our Berkeley facility, we also manage a foster network to provide additional comfort for those who need a home environment while awaiting their forever families.
Finding Your Perfect Match
We believe that a successful adoption is a joyful partnership built on a thoughtful connection. Our adoption process is designed to help ensure the best fit for both you and your new pet, with our team available to offer guidance every step of the way. We encourage potential adopters to bring the whole household to meet our animals and see who feels like the right match.
Join Our Community
Are you ready to meet your new best friend? Visit us at 1 Bolivar Drive in Berkeley to meet our adoptable dogs, cats, and small animals in person. You can also stay connected with us by exploring our website, signing up for our newsletter, or learning more about how you can volunteer or foster to make a difference in an animal's life today.
- Clean facilities
- Helpful staff
- Communication breakdown
10/9 - Berkeley animal shelter arsonist sentenced to 16 months in prison
The Berkeley Animal Care Services facility is not yet all the way repaired, but has resumed most normal services, officials say.
9/11 - Update: Berkeley animal shelter arsonist found guilty
About half the space for dogs is still unusable and repairs remain ongoing seven weeks after a fire shut down the BACS facility.
9/8 - Shop Talk: Ledger’s Liquors changes hands; new family-owned vet clinic opens on Shattuck
April Rose Provisions highlights local food products, and a new Italian gift store called Sweet Regalia opens on College.
9/4 - Berkeley goat has been found. But where is her owner?
Berkeley Animal Care Services picked up the goat Thursday from Hillcrest Court near Claremont Avenue.
8/3 - Bay Area Shelters Participating in Clear the Shelters
Alameda County Allie’s Pals Cat Rescue Pleasanton, CAAdoption Specials / Promotions: Every adoption from Allie’s Pals Cat Rescue makes a triple impact: you take home a fully vetted and socialized cat or kitten, open a foster space for another animal in need, and help sponsor a spay or neuter at a local shelter. Adoption Event at East Dublin PetSmart Date:…
7/28 - Berkeley animal shelter reopens as arson suspect’s trial nears
About half the space for dogs is still unusable and repairs remain ongoing seven weeks after a fire shut down the BACS facility.
7/25 - Berkeley Animal Shelter reopens Saturday, weeks after arson fire
"We are still not back to normal, and being open will look a little different than what we are used to," the city told volunteers Friday.
7/23 - The Tragedy of Miranda’s Rescue
Investigation into the Humboldt County animal sanctuary reveals oversight gaps in California's shelter network.
6/26 - ‘Severely overcrowded’ Oakland animal shelter urgently seeks adoptions
(KRON) — The Oakland Animal Services is urgently reaching out the public to adopt and foster, as it says it is “severely overcrowded with large dogs and kittens.” OAS says it is at critical o…
6/23 - FBI joins search for buried animals at Northern California rescue where hundreds of dogs vanished
Humboldt County investigators served a second search warrant at Miranda’s Rescue, authorizing excavation of the Fortuna property for additional deceased animals believed to be buried on site.
6/17 - Berkeley animal shelter arson: Suspect’s dog was seized a day before the fire
Peter Taraba’s dog was seized the day before he started the fire, police say. He is facing a misdemeanor assault charge in a separate case.
6/17 - 3 dogs returned to Monterey County from rescue under criminal investigation
Three dogs returned from Miranda’s Rescue are now back in Monterey County as a criminal investigation into the facility continues.
6/11 - Berkeley: Suspect In Arson At Animal Shelter Arrested
A 48-year-old man was arrested Thursday in connection with an arson fire that has temporarily shuttered the Berkeley Animal Shelter for at least three weeks.
6/10 - Arson investigation at Berkeley animal shelter after suspicious fire, police say
A suspicious fire that broke out at Berkeley Animal Services over the weekend is now being investigated as arson, according to police.
6/9 - Berkeley animal shelter fire ‘intentionally lit,’ police say
All cats and dogs have been evacuated and the closure will be a minimum of three weeks after a fire Saturday night. Authorities are investigating the cause.
6/7 - Berkeley animal shelter closes after fire
The fire burned through the pet supply donation area under the stairs. No animals appear to have been injured.
6/2 - Bay Area shelters rush to recover dogs from ‘no-kill’ rescue after animals found shot and buried
Napa County and Berkeley shelters say dogs sent to Miranda’s Rescue have come back as shelters, rescues and volunteers try to account for hundreds more animals.
5/23 - Bay Area shelters cut ties with rescue after records claim dogs found shot, buried
A search warrant affidavit filed in Humboldt County says investigators recently recovered eight dead dogs from the rescue's property. The affidavit alleges at least one of the dogs found dead had recently been transferred from the Bay Area.
