Adopt

Helen Woodward Animal Center

Animal shelter in Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Helen Woodward Animal Center is a unique, private non-profit organization in San Diego County that has been committed to the philosophy of people helping animals and animals helping people for over 40 years. Located on 12 acres in Rancho Santa Fe, California, our nationally recognized Center provides a variety of services that benefit the community through educational and therapeutic programs for people, and humane care and adoption for animals.

We are a no-kill facility that receives no government funding and relies heavily on tax-deductible contributions from private donors to continue our life-saving mission.

Our Mission

Helen Woodward Animal Center’s passionate belief that animals help people and people help animals, through trust, unconditional love, and respect, creates a legacy of caring. Sharing this philosophy with others, the Center inspires and teaches, locally and globally, the importance of the animal-human bond.

Contact
Address
6461 El Apajo Road
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Address Map

Meet their adoptable pets

6461 El Apajo Road

Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

See every new pet that comes to this shelter!

Create an alert, and we'll notify you every time a new pet comes in who meets your criteria.

Adoptable pets at Helen Woodward Animal Center

We'll also keep you updated on Tony Bark's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Tony Bark

Tony Bark

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Male, Puppy
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Cairo's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Cairo

Cairo

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Female, Puppy
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Todd's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Todd

Todd

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Male, Puppy
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Laguna Beach's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Female, Puppy
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Meringue's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Meringue

Meringue

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Female, Puppy
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Hudson's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Hudson

Hudson

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Male, Puppy
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Boba Fetch's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Boba Fetch

Boba Fetch

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Male, Puppy
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Titania's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Titania

Titania

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Female, Puppy
Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Shelter FAQs

San Diego County and beyond

Additional adoption info

If you are looking for a certain type of pet, first check our website (it is updated every time a pet becomes available or is adopted) or come down in person to browse through the kennels and cattery. When you see an orphan pet you like, you can proceed to the front desk to receive more information on your selected dog or cat and fill out an adoption application. Your pet application will be reviewed by one of our Adoption Counselors and the potential pet will then be taken out so the two of you can interact. If you decide you’d like to adopt your new furry friend, and your application shows you to be a good match, you’ll be able to pay the adoption fee and begin life with your newest family member.

Pets at shelters & rescues near Helen Woodward Animal Center

A Helping Hand For A Paw In Need

2461 Golfcrest Loop,
Chula Vista, CA 91915

Love Your Feral Felines

1929 W Vista Way, Space C,
Vista, CA 92083

We'll also keep you updated on Kirby's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Kirby

Kirby

Domestic Shorthair

Male, 6 mos
Fallbrook, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Gus Gonzo's adoption status with email updates.
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Photo of Gus Gonzo

Gus Gonzo

Mixed Breed (Medium)/Hound (Unknown Type)

Male, 7 yrs 8 mos
San Diego, CA
We'll also keep you updated on 749186's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of 749186

749186

Husky

Female, Puppy
Wildomar, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Mia's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Mia

Mia

Boxer

Female, Adult
Dana Point, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Jack-O'-Lantern's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Jack-O'-Lantern

Jack-O'-Lantern

Domestic Shorthair

Male, Kitten
Oceanside, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Nes's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Nes

Nes

Cattle Dog/Shepherd (Unknown Type)

Male, Puppy
Carlsbad, CA

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Animal Charities in Rancho Santa Fe, CA

HeARTs Speak

HeARTs Speak develops resources that help shelter animals to be seen and find homes, ultimately transforming public perceptions of pet adoption, shelters, and animals in need. Each year our work helps nearly 1 million pets in your community and beyond.

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Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs

There is a tremendous need for new methods of sterilization that are faster, easier, more accessible, and less expensive than surgery. ACC&D works tirelessly to bring together key stakeholders to advance this field.

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Animal Legal Defense Fund

Every day, Animal Legal Defense Fund works to enact tougher animal cruelty laws, provide care and legal assistance for animal victims of cruelty, offer rewards to bring abusers to justice, and provide free legal assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement to put abusers behind bars.

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