In 2005 Woods Humane Society moved into its beautiful, modern facility in a spectacular setting off of Hwy 1 in San Luis Obispo. The shelter is 27,000 square feet, sits on 2.5-acres of land, has two K-9 adoption pods, seven K9 exercise yards, a full surgery center and a 1,300 square foot community room. In 2014, we added a dedicated behavior and training center and in 2017 we completed an expansion project, unveiling a beautiful, new state-of-the-art cattery. The facility is run by a professional staff of 40 and typically houses up to 100 animals at any given time.

One of the best kept secrets about Woods is the Woods-Cashin Surgery Center. The Woods Medical Team performs nearly 4,000 spay and neuter surgeries each year and provides spay and neuter services for San Luis Obispo County Animal Services, several local nonprofit rescue groups, and members of the public.

Founded in 1977 by Atascadero residents Daphne Fahsing and Kate Johns as “Action for Animals’ Rights", the organization’s first goals were to address local animal over-population and homelessness. They began the first local spay/neuter program which worked so well they later received generous county funding to manage and distribute spay/neuter vouchers for that purpose.

In 1993 our first cat rescue and adoption center was opened in a store-front office in downtown Atascadero which included a shelter, general office and thrift store. Its first project was a hoarding case including almost 40 cats which were rescued, treated, and eventually adopted into new, loving homes.

In 1997 the famous Dome House on 3 acres north of town was purchased, and our rescue and adoption numbers soared with the addition of full-time staff and larger quarters.

On January 1, 2017 Woods Humane Society merged with North County Humane Society and took on the welcome challenge of operating two facilities in San Luis Obispo County.  Woods Humane Society - North County, as it is now known, continues to provide shelter and adoption opportunities for cats and kittens. November 1, 2018 saw the expansion of the North County campus to include the first public spay/neuter clinic in the county.  

Throughout the decades Woods Humane Society has enjoyed tremendous financial support from many members of our community and continuing support from the Woods family.  Two of Frances Woods’ children, Frederick Nickerson Woods III and his wife Harriet, and Edwin Woods and his wife Jeanne, honored their mother by leaving significant bequests to Woods Humane Society and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to offer support.  This family tradition of generosity has allowed us to care for countless homeless pets as we developed a full range of services and has positioned us to look to a future where every animal has a home where it is cherished.

2300 Ramona Road, Atascadero CA 93422
805-466-5403