About WAGS

WAGS is an "open-admission" animal adoption and care center. What does this mean? The Adoption center shelters and cares for companion animals, investigates and combats animal cruelty, rescues neglected pets, treats sick and injured strays, and educates the community about humane issues and responsible pet care.

• Every companion animal in need of shelter and care is welcome here whether or not we believe the animal is “adoptable.”


• Our compassionate protocols guide us to administer the highest standards of ethics, leadership, care and rehabilitation to save the life of every pet. Decisions about the welfare of each pet are made by doctors and staff based on an objective criteria that constantly must select the most humane outcome for the pet.

Non-Profit 501(c)(3)

WAGS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

You may also locate us on GuideStar and other philanthropy listing agencies.


To our volunteers: Being a 501(c)(3) organization affirms to you that WAGS is morally, ethically and legally committed to the mission of saving lives and finding happy forever-homes for each pet (see our Mission Statement and Guiding Principles). We value and respect the contribution of each volunteer. We understand that your time is valuable. WAGS is forever-grateful that you choose to volunteer with us.


To our donors: Being a 501(c)(3) means that we will apply the highest standards of stewardship to ensure that your donations of money, kind, time and talent are maximally devoted to the cause. We are morally, ethically and legally committed to upholding the trust you have placed in us. Thank you for your donations.

Keeping Adoptions Affordable

WAGS keeps adoptions costs low while offering the most adoptable pets in Southern California. Our peace-of-mind flat fee includes spay/neuter, micro-chip, blood panels, behavioral assessments, deworm and ultrasound (as indicated by breed or medical condition).

Cats: $95  |  Dogs: $175

Serving Westminster & Southern California

When our host hospital, Westminster Veterinary Group (WVG), decided to put down roots in Westminster over 11 years ago, one of the main attractions was that the city had recently won the All-America City Award in 1996. The pace of growth and progress has continued unabated and we are proud to say we chose the right location and city partner.

Westminster is a small city with great multi-cultural charm and big ambitions for the future. What we have found is that Westminster also has great location. Both WAGS and Westminster Veterinary Group service pet owners from all over Orange and Los Angeles counties. Westminster continues to create innovative city-wide programs designed to control animal overpopulation and increase adoptions.

As WAGS has quickly grown into the popular center for animal adoptions in the area, we look forward to successful community outreach programs that educate children and their families early about the benefits of pet adoption. The size of the city makes it a perfect incubator for our progressive vision.

We are thankful to the city of Westminster and its surrounding communities for embracing the vision of WAGS. Volunteer interest has exceeded our projections. Local donor support is rising steadily as the community learns about the innovations that WAGS brings. WAGS has been enthusiastically 'adopted' by civic organizations looking to provide volunteering opportunities for the youth. Our community is excited about making a significant difference in the welfare of companion animals; a difference that we hope will define the future of animal welfare for other cities and counties in Southern California.

Business Hours

WAGS is an “open-admission” care center --

Every companion animal in need of shelter and care is welcome here whether or not we believe the animal is “adoptable.”

Business Hours (Adoption Hours)

• Sunday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Adoption Hours: 11 AM to 4 PM)


• Monday – Thursday: 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM (Adoption Hours: 11 AM to 6 PM)


• Friday: 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM (Adoption Hours: 11 AM to 5 PM)


• Saturday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Adoption Hours: 11 AM to 3 PM)

Family-to-pet Matching

Our trained animal behavior experts match animal needs with adoptive families.
WAGS uses an individual assessment system to determine temperament – this system goes beyond the generalities of species, cuteness, color and other visual methods.
Animals receive onsite behavioral assessment and constant human socialization to rebuild trust and prepare them emotionally for new families.
WAGS goes the extra mile to ensure that your family pet ownership history and lifestyle match their new pets needs.

Donations and Gift Program

WAGS relies on donations of time (volunteer today), voice (be an advocate for WAGS and animal adoption), talent (every skill is welcome), kind (food, blankets, materials) and money to fulfill its mission.

No gift is too small and we thank you in advance for your donations.

Donations help us maintain a highly-affordable adoption and foster care program. Gifts fund our rehabilitation and outreach programs.

As a non-profit organization, WAGS depends on the continued generosity of large and small donors like yourself. Thank you and thank you again for helping us increase the volume and quality of adoptions in Westminster and all over southern California.

Advanced Care

ALL WAGS adoptable pets are regularly attended by Westminster Veterinary Group (WVG) veterinarians and trained staff.
ALL animals receive comprehensive medical exams and treatment from the moment they enter our hospital facility—there is NO waiting. Adoption pets receive the same standard of care that WVG clients receive.
Care before adoption includes medical monitoring, behavioral evaluation, spay/neuter, microchip, vaccinations, blood panels, flea medication, deworm and ultrasound (as indicated by breed or medical condition).