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 PJ's's adoption status with email updates.
new badge
Photo of PJ's

PJ's

Mixed Breed (Medium)

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

Pumpkin

Mixed Breed (Medium)

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

Mariah Carey

Mixed Breed (Medium)

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

Augustus

Mixed Breed (Medium)

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

Jolly Giles

Mixed Breed (Medium)

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

Glitz

Mixed Breed (Medium)

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

Sullivan

Mixed Breed (Medium)

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

Sled

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

ARRF (Animal Rescue Resource Foundation)

(we're A FOSTER Program; NO SHELTER!),
Carlsbad, CA 92011

Karmic Rescue - San Clemente

San Clemente, CA 92673

Emerald City Pet Rescue

Encinitas, CA 92024

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

Jonas

Jack Russell Terrier/Mixed Breed (Medium)

Male, Puppy
Carlsbad, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Charlie's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Charlie

Charlie

Pit Bull Terrier/Boxer

Male, Adult
Mission Viejo, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Sutter's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Sutter

Sutter

Basenji/Boxer

Male, 2 yrs 10 mos
San Diego, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Martin's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Martin

Martin

Domestic Shorthair

Male, Young
Mission Viejo, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Diamond's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Diamond

Diamond

Shepherd (Unknown Type)/Doberman Pinscher

Female, Young
Oceanside, CA
We'll also keep you updated on Catrina's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Catrina

Catrina

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Female, 2 yrs 2 mos
San Diego, CA

Search for a dog or cat

  • Columbus, OH
  • Columbus, OH
  • Columbus Grove, OH
  • Columbus Grv, OH

Sorry, we can’t find that location! Please try again.

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more