The City of Carlsbad contracts for animal control services through the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services provides dog licensing and animal control services not only for the City of Carlsbad but also for the cities of Del Mar, Encinitas, San Diego, Santee and Solana Beach, as well as for the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.
The county operates three shelters including the shelter in the City of Carlsbad at 2481 Palomar Airport Road. For information about shelter locations and hours, lost and found pets, licensing, adoptions, pet care, and animal related laws contact the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services.
Barking dogs
If it appears a dog is barking because it is suffering or is in distress, contact the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services North County emergency number at 760-438-1460. If the dog (or other animal) does not appear to be in distress, complaints about barking or other animal noise in the City of Carlsbad may be reported to 760-438-2312.
Dogs running loose
For stray dogs or dogs running loose, contact the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services at 760-438-2312. Animal-related emergencies and urgent matters may be reported to the Department of Animal Services at any time of the day or night, any day of the week. For any human life threatening situation, please call 9-1-1.
Dead animal pick up
To report a dead animal on a city street or beach, contact the City of Carlsbad at 760-434-2980 during regular business hours. After hours or on weekends, call the City of Carlsbad Police Department’s dispatch center at 760-931-2197. For the removal of a dead animal on a State beach (south of Pine Avenue), call 760-438-5021. For removal from private property, call D and D Animal Removal Service at 888-299-9905 (fee).
Wild animals
The San Diego County Department of Animal Services will respond to calls where wildlife is posing an immediate threat to public safety or is seriously injured (call 760-438-2312), but does not handle wildlife nuisance problems, such as skunks residing on private property or opossums raiding a pet’s backyard food supply.