Berkeley Animal Care Services
Our Mission
Friends of Berkeley Animal Care Services is a dedicated volunteer-run nonprofit working to improve the daily lives and long-term outcomes of animals in Berkeley's municipal shelter. We strive to ensure every animal in our care receives compassionate treatment, dignity, and a real chance at finding a loving home.
Who We Are
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we support Berkeley Animal Care Services, the open-admission shelter serving Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Piedmont. We are proud of our history of success, including our receipt of the prestigious Maddie’s Fund Lifesaving Award, which recognized our work in finding homes for healthy and treatable pets.
A Dedicated Community
BACS is more than just a city shelter; it is a hub of cooperation and compassion. With hundreds of volunteers collectively contributing an average of 426 hours each week, our facility maintains one of the highest live release rates in the nation. From funding medical treatment and training programs to supporting special projects, our community ensures each animal has the best possible care while waiting for their future.
Finding Your Perfect Match
We believe in creating lifelong partnerships through a thoughtful adoption process designed to help you find the right fit for your household. Our shelter is open to the public, and our knowledgeable team is here to guide you through every step of the journey, ensuring you and your new pet feel fully prepared for life together.
Join Our Mission
Whether you are looking to adopt, volunteer your time, or contribute to our cause, there are many ways to get involved. We invite you to visit our shelter at 1 Bolivar Drive in Berkeley, explore our current adoptable animals, or join our community of supporters today. Your kindness truly saves lives.
- Caring and dedicated staff
- Clean and well-organized facility
- Unresponsive to external animal welfare reports
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.
