Bakersfield cat adoption fees range from about $35 at the city shelter to $50 at Kern County Animal Services, with foster-based rescues like Cats By The Tracks setting fees per cat instead of a flat rate. Which option is right for you depends less on price and more on how each organization actually operates — county shelter, no-kill nonprofit, or foster network. Each model has real tradeoffs in cost, wait time, and how well you’ll know the cat’s personality before bringing it home. Here’s how they compare.
Cat Adoption Fees in Bakersfield, CA at a Glance
| Organization | Type | Adoption Fee | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kern County Animal Services | County shelter | $40 (male) / $50 (female) | Spay/neuter, first vaccinations, rabies shot, microchip |
| City of Bakersfield Animal Care Center | City shelter | ~$35 | Spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, includes a carrier |
| Bakersfield SPCA | No-kill nonprofit | Varies by cat | Spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, health exam |
| The Cat People (Pawsitively Cats Sanctuary) | Foster-based rescue | Varies by cat | Spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, health exam |
| Cats By The Tracks | Foster-based rescue | Varies by cat | Spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccines, microchip, dewormer, flea treatment, health check |
Kern County Animal Services
As the county-run shelter, Kern County Animal Services carries the highest volume of intake and, as a result, the most frequent turnover. Per Kern County Animal Services’ published fee schedule, standard fees are $40 for male cats and kittens and $50 for females, and the fee covers spay/neuter surgery, a full round of vaccinations, and a microchip. The shelter periodically runs reduced-fee promotions — sometimes dropping to $10 per adoption — announced through its social media rather than listed permanently on its website, so it’s worth checking before you go.
Bakersfield SPCA
Bakersfield SPCA is Kern County’s original animal welfare organization and its only dedicated no-kill shelter. Because it doesn’t euthanize for space, adoption fees help fund longer-term care for cats who take more time to find the right home. Appointments are typically available Monday through Saturday.
Foster-Based Rescues: The Cat People and Cats By The Tracks
Foster-based rescues operate differently from shelters with a physical building. Cats live in volunteer foster homes rather than in kennels, and the organization typically partners with a local pet supply store to hold weekly adoption meet-and-greets instead of keeping regular shelter hours.
The Cat People (also known as Pawsitively Cats Sanctuary), based on East Drive in Bakersfield, runs on this model locally, partnering with a Bakersfield Petco for weekly adoption events rather than keeping a public-facing shelter building. Cats By The Tracks operates the same way, with an adoption center at Petco, 8220 Rosedale Highway, Bakersfield — you can see our current Bakersfield cats and store hours on our adoption centers page.
This model tends to mean cats arrive already comfortable around people and, often, other pets — since they’ve been living in an actual home rather than a kennel environment. If you’d rather provide that home yourself before an adoption happens, our Bakersfield-area foster program is also open to new volunteers.
County Shelter vs. No-Kill vs. Foster-Based Rescue: What’s the Real Difference?
| Model | Pros | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| County / City Shelter | Lower fees, high cat volume, first to receive strays and surrenders | Limited kennel space can mean shorter timelines for less adoptable cats |
| No-Kill Nonprofit Shelter | No time limit on finding a home, dedicated facility to visit anytime | Often at capacity; may have a waitlist to surrender or intake new cats |
| Foster-Based Rescue | Cats are socialized in real homes; personalized matching from foster parents | No walk-in facility — you meet cats at scheduled adoption events |
Questions to Ask Before You Adopt
The adoption fee and the paperwork are the easy part. Whichever organization you choose, a few questions up front will save you surprises later:
- Has this cat been spayed/neutered and vaccinated already, or is that scheduled for after adoption?
- Is there a trial or return period if the cat doesn’t adjust well to your home?
- What does this specific cat’s personality look like around kids, dogs, or other cats?
- Are there any known medical conditions or behavioral notes from its time in foster care or the shelter?
- Who do you contact afterward with questions about settling the cat in?
Foster-based rescues are often able to answer the personality and behavior questions in more detail than a shelter can, simply because the cat has been living in an actual home with a foster parent rather than a kennel.
How to Adopt a Cat in Bakersfield, Step by Step
- Decide which model fits you best — a county shelter for the lowest fee, a no-kill nonprofit, or a foster-based rescue for a cat that’s already socialized in a home.
- Check adoption hours before visiting — county and city shelters keep set hours, while foster-based rescues hold scheduled events at partner stores.
- Submit an application; foster-based rescues like Cats By The Tracks require this before you visit in person.
- Meet the cat in person and ask about its personality, history, and any medical notes.
- Pay the adoption fee and take home the cat’s medical records.
If cost is the main factor in your decision, our companion guide on what a cat adoption actually costs breaks down fees and ongoing expenses in more detail. And if you’re weighing whether to adopt now or foster first, see how fostering works at Cats By The Tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cat adoption fee in Bakersfield, CA?
It depends on the organization. Kern County Animal Services charges $40 for male cats and $50 for female cats, the City of Bakersfield Animal Care Center charges around $35, and foster-based rescues typically set fees per cat based on individual veterinary needs.
Is there a no-kill shelter in Bakersfield?
Yes. Bakersfield SPCA is Kern County’s only no-kill shelter. Foster-based rescues, including The Cat People and Cats By The Tracks, are also no-kill by design, since cats stay in foster homes rather than a shelter with limited kennel space.
Where can I adopt a cat in Bakersfield without visiting a shelter building?
Cats By The Tracks holds adoption hours at Petco on Rosedale Highway in Bakersfield, letting you meet adoptable cats without visiting a shelter facility directly.
Does Kern County Animal Services ever run adoption specials?
Yes. Kern County Animal Services periodically runs reduced-fee promotions, sometimes as low as $10 per adoption, announced through their social media accounts rather than posted permanently on their site.
Meet Adoptable Cats in Bakersfield
Cats By The Tracks holds adoption hours at Petco on Rosedale Highway in Bakersfield. Every adoption fee funds spay/neuter surgery and medical care for the next cat waiting for a foster home.
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