CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control continues to be full, but there was good news to report this week on animals transferred to another facility with a higher adoption rate.
Clearlake Police Lt. Martin Snyder, who oversees the shelter, along with Alyssa Terry, a shelter animal care technician, gave the Clearlake City Council an update on operations at the council’s Thursday night meeting.
They also introduced “Maya,” a beautiful black and tan female German shepherd that is housed with Terry, another shepherd waiting for a home.
While not a fit with cats, Maya loves to cuddle in your lap, is spayed and up to date on all vaccinations, and is “the perfect amount of energy and calm,” Terry said.
The city of Clearlake contracts with North Bay Animal Services for animal control.
Terry said that on Feb. 1, 23 animals were transferred, including 12 dogs — four adult dogs and eight puppies — and all 11 of the cats that had been at the Clearlake shelter to North Bay Animal Services’ Petaluma shelter.
“The cat room is empty and we’re working on the dogs,” Terry said.
She said the Petaluma shelter is a no-kill facility and has more adoptions than Clearlake, so whenever possible Clearlake transfers animals there.
She said “Babs,” a longtime resident at the shelter, has a new family of her own thanks to being adopted on Jan. 30.
The shelter is continuing to improve its spaying and neutering services to the animals in its care, with one spay and one neuter and one to two exams taking place every Wednesday, depending on injuries and medical issues. Terry said the shelter has partnered with Clearlake Veterinary Clinic.
Terry said there also have been siding improvements to shop building at the shelter facility to make it warmer and more comfortable for the dogs.
Snyder said that since the start of 2023, there have been 108 dogs brought into the shelter. Of those, 35 left the shelter — 16 to rescues, 15 were returned to their owners and three were adopted. Snyder said one died or was lost in care. While he did not have information on that case, he said sometimes the dogs will get out and escape.
Overall, the shelter is at a 100% live release rate, Snyder said.
While there has been good news about dogs moving out of the shelter, Snyder said the shelter remains at capacity, with 70 dogs now in care.
Anyone looking for a new best friend is invited to come down to the shelter at 6820 Old Highway 53.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.