Animal Assistance

 

Shelters & Pet Adoption Facilities

San Francisco Animal Care and Control (ACC)
Located at 1200 15th Street (at Harrison, across the street from The SF/SPCA), ACC is the city's municipal animal shelter. Created in 1989, when the City took over certain duties it had previously contracted out to The SF/SPCA, ACC is responsible for San Francisco's stray, injured, abandoned, neglected, and mistreated animals, wild and domestic, as well as for the enforcement of all state and local animal control and welfare laws. The shelter is in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Kennels are open to search for or adopt an animal from noon to 6 p.m. daily and until 7 p.m. Wednesdays, except legal holidays and quarterly staff development days. The doors open for access to the lobby, front counter and the PetHarbor lost pet kiosk at 11 a.m. daily, except legal holidays and quarterly staff development days. Call (415) 554-6364 for all services and volunteer opportunities during business hours or to leave a message, but for animal-related emergencies call (415) 554-9400 24 hours.

The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (The SF/SPCA)
Founded in 1868, The SF/SPCA is at 2500 16th Street (at Florida Street, between Harrison and Bryant). It is a private, nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving homeless cats and dogs; to providing lifesaving care and treatment to dogs and cats in need; to helping pets stay in loving homes; and to cultivating respect and awareness for the rights and needs of companion animals. Its innovative programs and services include adoption, community veterinary services, the hearing dog program, the feral cat assistance program, humane education, animal-assisted therapy, and dog training classes. Call (415) 554-3000. The SF/SPCA's state-of-the-art Maddie's Pet Adoption Center at 250 Florida Street is open daily (except legal holidays) 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The adoption center's number is (415) 522-3500.

Pets Unlimited
Pets Unlimited, at 2343 Fillmore (at Washington) in San Francisco's trendy upper Fillmore district, has a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital, shelter services, a foster family program, volunteer opportunities and community educational services, both on- and off-site. In 2004, the Adoption Center placed 328 cats and 59 dogs into new homes. Since its founding in 1947 the organization has saved the lives of more than 250,000 animals. It has 11 vets, 2 vet specialists, 65+ vet support staff and over 200 volunteers.

 

Local Nonprofit Rescue Groups

Give a Dog a Bone (GADAB)
This nonprofit, headquartered at ACC, serves the special needs of animals who are the subject of ongoing investigations (abuse, neglect, bites, dogfighting, divorce or estate settlements, probate, etc.) and consequently must be housed at ACC, often for extended periods of time. GADAB's director and volunteers are specially trained to socialize these often traumatized and isolated dogs. Call (415) 934-4820.

Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue
This nonprofit, founded in June of 2003, helps stem the overpopulation of abandoned and unwanted cats, saves cats deemed unadoptable and rehabilitates them medically and/or behaviorally in order to place them in loving homes. They are committed to rescuing as many cats who are slated for euthanasia as they can. They also work very closely with many shelters in the Bay Area as well as working to help stop the overpopulation of feral cats. Call (415) 810-7284 or (415) 297-9301. E-mail:  info@givemesheltersf.org.

Grateful Dogs Rescue
This nonprofit rescues dogs at ACC who are not made available for adoption because they need some medical help or some behavioral training. Rather than letting these dogs be euthanized, Grateful Dogs places as many as possible in foster homes until they can find a loving "forever" home in the Bay Area. Finding a good match between the dog and the adopter involves an application, interview, home inspection and adoption fee. Call (415) 587-1121. P.O. Box 411013, San Francisco, CA 94141, e-mail:  info@gratefuldogsrescue.org.

Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue
Mickaboo rescues companion birds who have been neglected or abused or are sick or injured. They rehabilitate them when necessary and place them in safe, caring foster homes until a permanent home can be found. Mickaboo ensures that birds in their care will have a safe, loving environment for life. They also educate bird owners on the most current care information to meet their birds' medical, emotional, and dietary needs. Call (650) 301-6521. P.O. Box 697, San Jose, CA 95106-0697, e-mail:  mail@mickaboo.org.

One at a Time Animal Rescue
Founded in 2001 by a former animal control officer at ACC, One at a Time currently specializes in rescuing dogs and pet rats at risk for euthanasia at ACC and other local shelters. All animals, including those rescued from horrific abuse and neglect situations, must pass a behavior test and a medical exam. The nonprofit places them in foster homes and finds loving permanent adopters for them after getting the animals neutered or spayed, having microchips implanted, vaccinating them, attending to any medical needs, boarding them and socializing them. Call (415) 519-3250 for dogs and (415) 317-1038 for rats. 1388 10th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122, e-mail: oneatatime@oneatatimerescue.org.

Persian and Himalayan Cat Rescue
Most of this nonprofit's Persian and Himalayan cats come from Northern California animal shelters and some from vets. Like most other nonprofit rescue organizations, they do not take cats from individuals, but they do place the cats in foster care homes or the homes of screened adopters. Before any cat leaves their care, they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated for FVRCP, tested for leukemia, bathed and groomed, and evaluated for personality to assure a good match with their new families. This organization places more than 250 cats each year. Call (415) 388-7925. 305 Ross Dr., Mill Valley, CA 94941, e-mail: info@persiancats.org.

Rattie Ratz Rescue
This nonprofit was founded in 1998 and is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of often misunderstood and unfairly maligned pet rats and other small animals. (Contrary to popular belief, rats are surprisingly intelligent, have individual personalities and make fun and loving pets.) The nonprofit's volunteers are dedicated to placing rescued rats into loving, permanent homes. They operate an equipment lending library, cage upgrades, do-it-yourself workshops, and referrals to pet-sitters, vets, other rescue organizations, humane societies, supply stores and rodent clubs. They also offer class presentations and other outreach efforts. E-mail: info@rattieratz.com. 2995 Woodside Road, Ste. 400, PMB 325, Woodside, CA 94062.

Rocket Dog Rescue
Founded in 2001 by Bay Area animal activist Pali Boucher, this is an all-volunteer nonprofit group dedicated to saving homeless and abandoned animals from euthanasia in overcrowded Bay Area shelters. Rocket Dog places non-aggressive dogs into temporary foster homes, where they are socialized, taken to a vet to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and treated for any medical condition, and evaluated and retrained for any behavioral conditions which would otherwise limit their adoptability. The group then actively searches out permanent quality homes for these deserving animals through their volunteer network, online adoption page, weekend adoption fairs and neighborhood poster campaigns. Rocket Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation supported completely by donations. Their ultimate goal is to help create a world where all companion animals have loving and permanent homes, where no good-natured companion animals, no matter what their age, are killed in shelters because they are considered surplus or "unadoptable." Call (415) 642-4786. P.O. Box 460826, San Francisco, CA 94146, e-mail: info@rocketdogrescue.org.

The San Francisco Rescued Orphan Mammal Program (SF ROMP)
SF ROMP rehabilitates injured or orphaned mammals for release back into the wild, giving them a second chance at a natural life. It is a community-supported, volunteer-run organization, licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Each year SF ROMP receives over 80 animals in need of help. Its volunteers work hard to assure that the orphaned mammals develop the skills they need to survive in the wild. Its dedicated volunteers also rehabilitate injured animals with the generous support of caring veterinarians. San Francisco is blessed with abundant wildlife, including beneficial animals who are a natural part of the ecosystem. Occasionally, they will do things that irritate us. Finding long-term humane solutions to these problems is not difficult. Trapping animals is not the answer. Addressing the specific problem is the only way to find a long-term effective solution. This organization is dedicated to preserving and enhancing San Francisco's rich biodiversity and increasing public appreciation of the city's native wildlife. They also perform habitat planting to help preserve San Francisco?0â8s park and wilderness areas. Members of the public can schedule a site visit by a humane wildlife problem specialist. She will look at the problem area and find a humane solution to the problem as well as provide advice on how to avoid future conflicts. Contact the Wildlife Hotline at (415) 350-WILD [-9453].

Save a Bunny
This organization is a chapter of an international nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing house rabbits who are about to be euthanized. They find permanent, loving new homes for rescued rabbits and educate people about the joys of living with rabbits as indoor companions. In fact, ACC could not save nearly the number of rabbits it does without the help of this active and effective organization. They also do "matchmaking" and help with "bunny bonding" for those who want to find a friend for their spayed or neutered rabbit. They also offer rabbit nail trimming, luxury bunny boarding and alternative healing and energy work. Their priority is to rescue and assist rabbits from animal shelters, because these rabbits have run out of time and options. Sadly, most of these rabbits were companions who were bought at pet stores or from breeders and surrendered to shelters when the novelty wore off. If anyone has a rabbit they do not want, they should have it spayed or neutered and then contact their local humane society or go to www.rabbit.org for suggestions on placing their rabbit. Call (415) 388-2790. P.O. Box 2143, Mill Valley, CA 94941, e-mail: SaveABunny@aol.com.

Toni's Kitty Rescue
Founded by ACC volunteer Toni Sestak, this nonprofit has cultivated a large network of foster parents for kittens, a crucial need during the spring and summer months of "kitten season." She bottle-feeds many of the neonatal kittens herself, using kitten formula. Toni and her fellow volunteers saved an amazing 550 kittens at ACC in one season, 2003-2004! Call (415) 554-6364. 415 Buena Vista Ave. E., San Francisco, CA 94117-4164, e-mail: tmsestak@webtv.net.

The Urban Cat Project
This nonprofit rescue group is a nonprofit, all-volunteer effort based in San Francisco. They recognize the long history humans have had with the domestic cat and work to improve that relationship. They focus on rescuing cats from shelters and placing them in loving homes. They do not take cats surrendered by the public. The Urban Cat Project advocates ending the use of cats in medical experimentation, classroom dissection, the fur trade, or wherever cats are tortured or killed for profit. The Urban Cat Project also educates the public about the need for responsible cat guardianship, spaying/neutering, the perils of declawing and the need for a lifelong commitment to animals. They house rescued cats in foster homes and pay personal attention to each cat until he/she is adopted. They look forward to an end of the suffering and abandonment of cats through rescue, adoption, education and advocacy. Call 415-334-1003 or e-mail info@theurbancatproject.org.

 

Shopping Sites

Cheengoo
Cheengoo is a Korean word meaning "friend" or "companion." It is a specialty online boutique, based in San Francisco, with a wide variety of high-quality, stylish pet accessories, including collars and leashes, designer apparel, scratching posts, carriers, toys and grooming accessories. The owner, Elizabeth Paik, is a foster kitten parent volunteer at ACC. Cheengoo will contribute five percent of gross profits to the Friends of San Francisco Animal Care and Control and to the international rescue organization Animals Asia.

Downbound.com
Your purchases of Downbound's vegan, environmentally friendly, and human-rights-friendly products will help support FSFACC. They donate ten percent of your initial purchase as well as all your purchases for a year to FSFACC.

FlyingPanda.com
Anyone ordering from Flying Panda Gifts can designate FSFACC as the recipient of ten percent of their purchases (not including shipping). They carry unique and fun animal-related gifts.

iGive.com
Shopping at one of the 605 stores on this site (including Amazon, Lands' End, Apple, Office Depot and Best Buy, as of July 2005) earns up to a 37 percent commission for FSFACC.

 

Other Important Contacts

All Animals Emergency Hospital
Though located in the very busy upper Sunset area at 1333 9th Avenue (between Irving and Judah), just south of Golden Gate Park, All Animals offers free parking on the left side of the building. Since the hospital is for after-hours animal emergencies only, when most people's regular vets are not available, its hours are 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 6 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Monday. Call (415) 566-0531.

The California Department of Fish and Game
Cal TIP Hotline is the number to call if you see violations of the state animal code anywhere in the state. These are outside the venue of San Francisco Animal Care and Control and include abuse of any mammal, bird, fish or crustacean in live food markets or restaurants, poaching, the sale of illegal animal parts or products (like bear gall bladders and bile powder, elephant tusk ivory and rhinoceros horn) or the polluting of bodies of water. Be prepared to provide as much information as possible, including the type of violation(s), when it occurred and where; the name, address, age and description of the suspect(s); and his or her vehicle description, location, direction of travel, and license number (if relevant). Call toll-free (888) 334-2258, extension 3. You can also find out the number of a local California Fish and Game office by calling the head office in Sacramento at (916) 445-0411, and you can get more information by e-mailing Lt. Liz Schwall at lschwall@dfg.ca.gov.

Micro-chipping Information
The HomeAgain Microchip System (manufactured by Schering-Plough), provides the recovery system in use by all the major Bay Area shelters, including ACC and The SF/SPCA, as well as most vets and animal hospitals. Schering-Plough now also provides national registration of all animals micro-chipped with the HomeAgain system, which is recognized worldwide, even by other micro-chipping systems. FSFACC has been underwriting and running the annual micro-chipping clinics at ACC since 2001. They are free to San Francisco residents and $15 per dog or cat for nonresidents.

PetHarbor.com
Lost a pet? Want to adopt a pet? This is the first site you should visit.
Type in your ZIP code and see all the shelters in your area, including ACC (subsidized by FSFACC). You can search for your lost pet's photo and description online, saving you a trip to the shelter. You can also see all the animals available for adoption at every participating shelter. A PetHarbor touch-screen kiosk is located in the ACC lobby, especially useful from 11 a.m. to noon every day, when the lobby is open to the public but the kennels aren't.

The SF/SPCA Cat Assistance Team and Feral Fix Clinic
The SF/SPCA's "Feral Fix Program" provides vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery for San Francisco's homeless cats at no charge to their caregivers. Since the program began they have altered over 10,000 cats. Also, in neighborhoods throughout the city SF/SPCA Cat Assistance Team (C.A.T.) members humanely trap feral cats, transport them to "Feral Fix," provide post-surgery recovery care, and either release them to their prior habitat for lifelong care or socialize feral kittens before placing them in homes. They also provide expert advice and assistance to novice caregivers in their neighborhoods. Call (415) 554-3071 for an informative recorded hot-line or (415) 522-3539 for the Feral Cat Coordinator.

The San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare
The Commission of Animal Control and Welfare is an 11-member representative body (seven of whom may vote) acting as the eyes and ears of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors with regard to animal issues within the City. It is an advisory body and makes recommendations to the Board, which is ultimately responsible for all policy decisions and development. By San Francisco ordinance the Commission has the power and duty to hold public hearings and submit recommendations regarding animal control and welfare to the Board of Supervisors and the Chief Administrative Officer; to study and recommend requirements for the maintenance of animals in public, private, and commercial care; and to work with the Tax Collector to develop and maintain dog licensing procedures.

The San Francisco Vet Center
An agency that assists military veterans, offers two pet-friendly programs for veterans: a month's supply of free dog and puppy food (donated by IAMS) to veterans and a rescue pet assistance program. Through the rescue pet assistance program the VA offers vouchers that cover adoption fees. This program also provides vouchers for limited veterinary care. Veterans must apply for this adoption assistance service prior to adopting their new pet. As a bonus, adopters may get a professional photo of them and their new pet for free. Contact the San Francisco Vet Center at (415) 441-5051. See also the May 2005 issue of the San Francisco Vet Center Newsletter for more info.

"Tails of Devotion"
This exquisite book will feature the photos and stories of both well-known and not-so-well-known San Franciscans and their animal companions, as told to the book's publisher, Emily Scott Pottruck, with a forward by Amy Tan. A percentage of the proceeds will go to FSFACC and four other San Francisco animal welfare nonprofits. It will be published in April 2006. Click here to receive updates and notifications about "Tails of Devotion."

Vet-SOS (Veterinary Street Outreach Services) is a service of the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium in cooperation with Animal Care and Control, The SF/SPCA, PAWS and Pets Unlimited. A vet, sometimes the service's founder, Dr. Ilana Strubel, travels in a van around the city and tends to the medical needs of the pets of the homeless. Pali Boucher of Rocket Dog Rescue gave the idea for the much-needed service to Dr. Strubel, who founded it in 2001. For more info, to volunteer or to make a donation of pet food, supplies or cash click on the Vet-SOS link above or call or write them at Vet-SOS/San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium, 1550 Bryant Street, Suite 450, San Francisco, CA 94103, (415) 355-2248, vetsos@sfccc.org.