Delano is one of the larger Central Valley towns with its own animal shelter rather than relying entirely on a county facility an hour away.
That gives adopters here two genuinely different routes, and the county option prices cats in a way most people find surprising.
Delano city animal control
Shelter services within Delano city limits run through the Delano Police Department Animal Control at 1022 12th Avenue, on (661) 721-3377.
The service covers adoptions, lost pets, animal intake and volunteering — so it is a genuine adoption route, not only a holding facility.
As with any small municipal shelter, the population is modest and turns over quickly. Call before travelling rather than relying on an online listing.
Kern County Animal Services
The county operates two shelters: Kern County Animal Shelter at 3951 Fruitvale Avenue in Bakersfield on (661) 868-7100, and the Kern Valley Animal Shelter at 14891 Highway 178 in Lake Isabella.
Bakersfield is the practical option from Delano, and holds a far larger selection than any city facility.
The pricing that surprises people
Kern County charges different fees by sex: $50 for female cats and kittens, $40 for males.
The difference reflects the higher cost of spay surgery compared with neutering. It is not arbitrary, and it is worth knowing before you assume a flat rate.
| Option | Cat fee | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kern County — female | $50 | Bakersfield | Reflects spay surgery cost |
| Kern County — male | $40 | Bakersfield | Neuter is a simpler procedure |
| Reduced-fee events | Greatly reduced | Bakersfield | Announced on social media |
| Delano Animal Control | Call to confirm | Delano | Small, local, quick turnover |
| Bakersfield SPCA | Varies | Bakersfield | Nonprofit alternative |
| Cats By The Tracks | See adoption page | Foster-based | Temperament known in advance |
Kern County runs reduced-fee events regularly and posts them on social media rather than the main website. Following those pages is the reliable way to catch them.
Our guide to cat adoption in Bakersfield covers the county facility in more detail.
City or county: which to try first
| If you want | Go to |
|---|---|
| The widest choice | Kern County, Bakersfield |
| To stay local | Delano Animal Control |
| The lowest possible fee | A county reduced-fee event |
| A cat whose home behaviour is known | A foster-based rescue |
| To volunteer as well as adopt | Delano Animal Control |
Trying the local shelter first costs nothing and takes fifteen minutes. If nothing suits, Bakersfield is roughly half an hour south.
Free-roaming cats around Delano
Delano sits in dense agricultural country, and vineyards, packing sheds and outbuildings support substantial outdoor cat populations.
California has no leash laws for cats, and free-roaming cats are treated as free-roaming agents rather than strays. A healthy one should not be brought to a shelter.
These cats are rarely lost pets. Sterilisation is the response that reduces numbers over time; removal simply frees territory for neighbouring cats to occupy.
Our explainer on the population maths behind TNR covers why, and getting started with TNR covers the practical sequence.
What to bring and ask
- Photo ID with your current address.
- Written landlord permission if you rent.
- A secure hard-sided carrier — essential in valley heat.
- Payment, and a note of exactly what the fee covers.
- Everyone who will live with the cat.
Ask whether spay or neuter is already done, which vaccinations have been given and when the next is due, whether a microchip is included, and whether the cat was tested for FIV and FeLV.
Kitten season and timing
Intake across Kern County climbs from March, peaks through summer and eases in autumn, exactly as elsewhere in the valley.
Reduced-fee events cluster in those busy months, because that is when capacity pressure is highest. If cost matters, summer is when the bargains appear.
Adult cats remain available year-round and generally suit working households better. Our case for adopting a senior cat covers why older cats are frequently the better match.
Heat and the drive
Delano summers run well above 100°F, and Bakersfield is around half an hour away.
Travel early in the day, run the air conditioning, keep the carrier out of direct sun and never leave a cat in a parked car even briefly.
That heat also argues strongly for keeping an adopted cat indoors. Our comparison of indoor versus outdoor cats sets out the trade-offs honestly.
Settling in
Prepare one quiet room before collection: litter well away from food and water, a hiding place, a scratching post.
Expect hiding for the first few days, and let the cat set the pace of contact. Most move to cautious exploration within a week.
Our first 30 days with a new cat guide covers the timeline, cat-proofing your home covers preparation, and our adoption page explains our foster-based process across the valley.
Adopting two rather than one
Kern County shelters regularly list littermates and bonded pairs, and for most households two cats are genuinely easier than one.
| Factor | One cat | Two cats |
|---|---|---|
| Annual running cost | Baseline | Roughly 1.6–1.8×, not double |
| Company while you work | None | Constant |
| Night-time activity | Often aimed at you | Aimed at each other |
| Litter boxes needed | 2 | 3 |
| Adoption fee | Standard | Sometimes discounted for pairs |
With Kern County pricing by sex, two males at $40 each costs less than a male and a female. Ask whether any pair discount applies on top.
Our guide to adopting a bonded pair of cats covers where two is genuinely the wrong choice.
Helping without adopting
Delano Animal Control lists volunteering among its services, which is unusual for a small municipal operation and worth taking up.
Fostering, transport and photography all relieve pressure without needing space for a permanent cat. Our list of volunteer opportunities beyond fostering covers the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an animal shelter in Delano, CA?
Yes. Shelter services within city limits run through Delano Police Department Animal Control at 1022 12th Avenue, (661) 721-3377, covering adoptions, lost pets, intake and volunteering.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat in Kern County?
Kern County charges $50 for female cats and kittens and $40 for males. The difference reflects the higher cost of spay surgery compared with neutering.
Why do female cats cost more to adopt in Kern County?
Because spay surgery is more involved and more expensive than neutering, and that cost is reflected in the adoption fee rather than absorbed entirely by the shelter.
Where is the Kern County animal shelter?
The main shelter is at 3951 Fruitvale Avenue, Bakersfield, on (661) 868-7100. A second facility, Kern Valley Animal Shelter, is at 14891 Highway 178 in Lake Isabella.
Does Kern County run reduced adoption fee events?
Yes, regularly. They are announced on the shelter’s social media pages rather than the main website, so following those accounts is the reliable way to catch them.
What should I do about cats in local vineyards and sheds?
Sterilise rather than remove them. California treats free-roaming cats as free-roaming agents rather than strays, and an emptied territory is repopulated by neighbouring cats within weeks.