Come Learn the Work
Behind the Rescue
An educational tour of the Santa Cruz SPCA — made for classrooms, youth groups, and curious neighbors alike. Learn how a modern animal shelter really works, explore our community programs, and meet a few of the animals at the heart of it all.
Request a Tour
Our educational tours give you a behind-the-scenes look at the work we do every day. It’s the best way to truly learn what goes into rescuing, healing, and rehoming animals — a hands-on lesson in compassion for students and adults alike, with a few animal introductions along the way.
You'll see more than kennels. You'll see the programs that make us who we are: hands-on humane education, our Pet Food Pantry that keeps families and their pets together, and Rescue Readers, where kids practice reading aloud to shelter dogs and cats. We can't wait to share it all with you.
On the Tour
What You’ll See & Learn
Every tour is a little different, but here's a taste of what's in store.
Meet a Shelter Dog
Spend time with one of our dogs and hear their story — where they came from, and where they're headed.
Meet our adoptable dogs →Say Hello to the Cats
Visit some of our shelter cats and see the calm, comfortable spaces where they wait for a home.
Meet our adoptable cats →Behind the Scenes
Go where the everyday magic happens and learn what daily care really takes at a working shelter.
Rescue Readers
Discover the program where students build reading confidence by reading aloud to our animals.
About Rescue Readers →Humane Education
Learn about our classroom and on-site programs that grow the next generation of animal advocates.
About Humane Education →The Pet Food Pantry
See how we help neighbors in need keep and feed the pets they love through hard times.
About the Pantry →Good to Know
Tour Details
The Basics
Cost or timing a barrier?
We never want price or scheduling to stand between a group and a great experience. If the fee is difficult or our days don't work for you, please just reach out — we'll do our best to make it work.
Tours fill up, so we recommend booking ahead. Ready when you are:
Why It Matters
No One Shelter Can Do It All
In animal welfare, the greatest impact comes from working together. We partner with dozens of shelters, rescues, and animal welfare agencies to rescue and rehabilitate cats and dogs and find them loving homes. A tour is your window into that shared, life-changing work — and the community that makes it possible.
Book an Educational Tour
Bring your class, your youth group, or your own curiosity. We’d love to show you around, teach you how it all works, and introduce you to a few of the animals whose lives you’re helping change.
Request a TourQuestions first? Call (831) 465-5000 or email brenna@spcasc.org.
2601 Chanticleer Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(P) 831-465-5000 (F) 831-479-8530
Monday - CLOSED
Animal Browsing Tuesday to Sunday 11am - 5pm
PET FOOD PANTRY - Sundays 1:00pm - 3:00pm
The Santa Cruz SPCA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of animals. We receive no government funding, and depend solely on financial support from our friends. Our organization is not affiliated with any other SPCA or Humane Society.
Tax ID: 94-6171565
© 2026 Santa Cruz SPCA
