Vallejo has two main cat adoption paths — a private nonprofit humane society and the county’s own animal care division. Here’s what to know about each.
Humane Society of the North Bay
Humane Society of the North Bay (HSNB), located at 1121 Sonoma Blvd. in Vallejo, is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM. Call (707) 645-7905 for current cat availability and fees.
Solano County Animal Care Services
Solano County Animal Care Services charges $120.00 for cats, including spay/neuter, microchip, and vaccinations. This division is responsible for the care of stray, injured, abandoned, and unwanted animals across seven surrounding cities: Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Vallejo.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cat adoption fee | $120.00 |
| Hours | Tue–Fri 10 AM–6 PM (closed 1–2 PM); Sat 9 AM–5 PM |
| Mailing address | PO Box 5126, Vacaville, CA 95688 |
| Coverage area | 7 cities including Vallejo |
Community Cat Advocates and Rescue
For outdoor and community cats specifically, Community Cat Advocates and Rescue works in the Vallejo area — worth contacting if you’ve spotted a cat that seems to need TNR rather than adoption.
See our guide on telling feral, stray, and community cats apart if you’re not sure which category applies.
Before You Adopt
See our guide to cat-proofing your home before adoption before bringing a cat home.
Weighing a Kitten vs. an Adult Cat
Whichever organization you choose, it’s worth genuinely weighing an adult cat against a kitten rather than defaulting to the more common first instinct. Adult cats generally arrive with an already-formed personality, making it easier to predict how they’ll fit your household, while kittens require significantly more supervision and kitten-proofing throughout their first year.
Budgeting Beyond the Adoption Fee
Whichever option you choose, plan for costs beyond the fee itself — a litter box, litter, food and water bowls, a scratching post, and a first round of supplies ready before pickup day. Ongoing veterinary costs, including annual wellness visits and dental care as your cat ages, add up over the years, and pet insurance is worth researching within the first few weeks of adoption, before any condition becomes a pre-existing exclusion on a policy.
Settling In After You Get Home
Set up a single quiet room with food, water, a litter box, and a hiding spot before giving your new cat access to the rest of the house, rather than introducing it to every room and family member on day one. A calmer, more gradual first week at home tends to produce a noticeably more confident, settled cat over the following month.
Multi-Cat Households and Introductions
If you already have a cat at home, plan for a gradual introduction over several days rather than a same-day meeting. Keep the new cat in its own separate room at first, swapping bedding between the two so each becomes familiar with the other’s scent before any direct interaction — rushing this step is one of the most common reasons an otherwise good match gets off to a rocky start.
Give the Adjustment Time
Whichever option you choose, give your new cat real time to settle before drawing conclusions about its personality. A cat that seems withdrawn or nervous in its first days at home is not necessarily reflective of how it will behave once it’s had a few weeks to adjust — many adopters report a noticeably more confident, affectionate cat emerges after the first month than the one they initially brought home.
One Last Thing to Keep in Mind
Both HSNB and Solano County Animal Care Services serve overlapping but distinct populations of cats, so checking both before committing can widen your options considerably, especially if you have a specific age or personality in mind. Calling ahead saves a wasted trip if a specific cat has already been adopted since you last checked.
If You Spot a Community Cat Instead
If the cat you’ve noticed seems more like an outdoor community cat than a stray needing rescue, Community Cat Advocates and Rescue is worth contacting directly rather than assuming the cat needs to be brought inside. Our guide to telling feral, stray, and community cats apart can help you make that initial read before deciding what action, if any, actually helps.
Weighing a Kitten vs. an Adult Cat
Whichever organization you choose, it’s worth genuinely weighing an adult cat against a kitten rather than defaulting to the more common first instinct. Adult cats generally arrive with an already-formed personality, making it easier to predict how they’ll fit your household, while kittens require significantly more supervision and kitten-proofing throughout their first year.
Budgeting Beyond the Adoption Fee
Whichever option you choose, plan for costs beyond the fee itself — a litter box, litter, food and water bowls, a scratching post, and a first round of supplies ready before pickup day. Ongoing veterinary costs, including annual wellness visits and dental care as your cat ages, add up over the years, and pet insurance is worth researching within the first few weeks of adoption, before any condition becomes a pre-existing exclusion on a policy.
Give whichever cat you adopt real time to settle before drawing conclusions about its personality — a cat that seems withdrawn or nervous in its first days at home is not necessarily reflective of how it will behave once it’s had a few weeks to build trust in its new household and routine.
Weighing a Kitten vs. an Adult Cat
It’s also worth genuinely weighing an adult cat against a kitten, whichever organization you adopt from. Adult cats generally arrive with an already-formed personality, making it easier to predict how they’ll fit your household, while kittens require significantly more supervision and kitten-proofing throughout their first year. Ask staff directly about a specific adult cat’s known temperament and history with other pets or children before making a final decision either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Humane Society of the North Bay charge for cats?
Fees aren’t published at a single flat rate — call (707) 645-7905 to confirm current pricing for a specific cat.
What are Solano County Animal Care Services’ cat fees?
Cats are $120.00, which includes spay/neuter, microchip, and vaccinations.
What area does Solano County Animal Care Services cover?
Seven surrounding cities: Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Vallejo.
What are the hours at Humane Society of the North Bay?
Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Not in Vallejo? We Can Still Help
Cats By The Tracks is a foster-based rescue serving Fresno and the Central Valley.