T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E S A N F R A N C I S C O S P C A F A L L 2 0 1 2 S F S P C A . O R G
Vol.
106,
No.
3 F
all 2
012
SFSPCA.ORG SAN FRANCISCO SPCA | 3
OUR MISSION
The mission of the San Francisco SPCA is
to save and protect animals, provide care
and treatment, advocate for their welfare,
and enhance the human-animal bond.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
Printed by a Forest Stewardship
Council-certified printer on 30
percent post-consumer-
waste, recycled paper.
144th YEAR
The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
201 Alabama St.San Francisco, CA 94103 415.554.3000 Founded April 18, 1868
OfficersJennifer Chung – Board Chair Derek L. Dean – Co-Vice ChairBelinda Levensohn – Co-Vice Chair Daniel Levitt, M.D., Ph.D. – Treasurer Jennifer Scarlett, DVM – Co-President Jason Walthall – Co-President
DirectorsPaul A.W. Armstrong Brian Corey Ken Fulk Katherine C. HuibonhoaJill Nash Russ Nelson J. Peter Read Jeanette Roach Eric B. Roberts Jake Steinman David Tateosian Charlaine Thet
Emeritus DirectorsKatherine H. Black Catherine B. Brown Richard E. Dirickson Austin Hills James J. Ludwig Fillmore Marks Jacqueline L. Young
Honorary BoardPam Baer The Hon. Willie L. Brown, Jr. Laura Fisher Sue Fisher KingCharlotte Mailliard ShultzZaw Thet Robin Williams Diane B. Wilsey
Cover Photo: Jennifer Jamieson Photographyjamiesonphoto.comProduction Design: Jean B. Tsang
Although the SF SPCA does not endorse products or services, we are very grateful to our corporate sponsors, who help make Our Animals possible. Published three times a year, Fall, Spring, Summer issues.
© 2012 San Francisco SPCA. All rights reserved. Contents reprinted only by permission.ISSN 030-6789
Contents»
pg. 3 Co-Presidents’ Letter
pg. 4Dr. Jack Aldridge Retires
pg. 5Allies in Advocacy
pg. 6–7Stories from Summer Camp
Fiscal Year Spotlight
pg. 8–9Events
pg. 10–11Philanthropy
Rural Area Veterinary Services
pg. 12–13New Space for Animal Assisted Therapy Program
Update on Behavior Resources
pg. 14 Best Places to Work
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ABOUT THE COVERAt this year’s Bark & Whine Ball auction, Cindy Perry won the honor of having her dog Lucky on the cover. Lucky is a 5-year-old Yorkshire Terrier who’s been with Cindy since Mother’s Day 2007. He charms everyone he meets with his expressive
eyes and cute little snaggletooth. Lucky enjoys frequent travel and swimming at his summer home in Cape Cod, Mass. Congratulations to Cindy and Lucky.
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» Although we haven’t moved, we have a new mailing address! 201 Alabama St., San Francisco, CA 94103
Co-Presidents’ Letter»
Dr. Jennifer Scarlett and Jason Walthall
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JENNIFER SCARLETT, DVM
Co-President
JASON WALTHALL
Co-President
• Mostheartwarmingofall,wereachedalandmark4,525
adoptions — the best adoption number in a decade!
All of this was accomplished by an endlessly dedicated staff and
one of the hardest-working volunteer corps you will find anywhere.
Our 1,200 volunteers put in an astonishing 63,726 hours last year!
And, despite the long hours, blood, sweat and tears — or perhaps
because of it — the SF SPCA was named one of the Bay Area’s
“Best Places to Work 2012” by the San Francisco Business Times.
Thank you to everyone for all of their hard work and commitment to
the SF SPCA.
So where do we go in this next fiscal year? We will keep growing
our numbers. We will keep addressing the immediate needs of
San Francisco’s animals as well as moving toward the long-term
solution. We will be front and forward in the community and in the
legislative process.
Stay tuned for more information about the status of the Hayden Bill
repeal and our efforts to find a creative and effective alternative with
our partners in the California Shelter Policy Stakeholders alliance.
The Hayden Bill requires shelters in California to hold abandoned
animals for four to six days before euthanasia. The mandate protects
animals’ lives by allowing time for guardians to claim their lost pets.
One more advancement that we’ve made in the past year: In an
effort to reduce our ecological impact, we are now featuring an
interactive version of Our Animals on our website. The online version
will have links to more in-depth articles and online resources.
If you’d like to receive your future issues of Our Animals by email
instead of by mail, contact us at [email protected] and let
us know.
Sincerely,
We are very proud to share with you our
accomplishments from fiscal year 2011–2012,
which are highlighted within these pages. Of
course, there’s more to share than we could
fit in this issue, so look for more recaps in the upcoming
Annual Report.
One of our keystone achievements this past year launching the
Anti-Puppy Mill campaign. You can learn more about the campaign
at sfspca.org/nomills. This was our first foray into trying to end the
scourge of online puppy sales, but it is only the beginning in our
crusade to change the future of animal welfare.
The addition of a dedicated Advocacy Department (see page 5) will
be paramount to making the changes necessary to realize Vision
2020 and end animal abandonment in the city.
This was a banner year for the SF SPCA, reaching new
benchmarks of achievement and moving us closer to our goals
in prevention, education, and rescue — the pillars of Vision 2020.
Here are some of the highlights of this latest fiscal year:
• TheSpay/Neuterteamperformedarecord-breaking
10,307 surgeries
• CommunityCatstrappedandreturned1,506feralcats
• CommunityCaresInitiativeexpandedmonthlyfreevaccine
clinics into a second neighborhood and vaccinated more
than 1,000 dogs
• TheSFSPCAVeterinaryHospitalgrewitscharitycareby
30 percent over fiscal 2011
• Attendanceindogtrainingclassesgrewby12percent
• Ourfosterprogramnursed16percentmorekittiesandpups
and gave 17 fospice animals the comfort of a nurturing home
in their last days
• HumaneEducationmadeanimaladvocatesoutof5,138kids,
a 23 percent increase over 2011
• AnimalAssistedTherapycelebratedits40thanniversaryby
growing a whopping nine percent, making nearly 80,000 visits
to such facilities as schools, hospitals, and retirement centers
• TheSFSPCAimplementedagrantprogramtoourpartner
rescue groups
SFSPCA.ORG SAN FRANCISCO SPCA | 54 | SAN FRANCISCO SPCA FALL 2012
D r. Jack Aldridge has been the heart
and soul of the San Francisco SPCA
Veterinary Hospital since he rode up
to our door on his motorcycle in 1976.
He looked around and thought this might
be a good place to work for a bit. Well,
37 years (and a full head of hair) later, Dr.
Aldridge is retiring from the SF SPCA to relax,
travel, make wine, and spend more time with
his wife.
During his tenure, Jack was instrumental in
building a world-class staff and facility. His
hand is in many of the details of the state-of-
the-art Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center.
He has always been a passionate advocate
of quality care and is the personification of
compassion, skill, and dedication.
Jack not only saved animals at the office, he
brought his work home with him too. In 1996,
Jack and his wife adopted Francois,
a little homeless dog at the SF SPCA who
had two broken legs, requiring two painstaking
surgeries. Over the years, they adopted
five animals from the SF SPCA, in addition to
adopting animals from other rescues
and circumstances.
We are setting up a fund to commemorate
Jack’s 37-year tenure with the SF SPCA.
The fund will support medical and surgical
treatment of owned animals with guardians
who are unable to afford necessary care.
If you’d like to contribute to the Dr. John P.
Aldridge Fund for Charitable Animal Care,
please visit our website at sfspca.org/jack.
Jack’s influence will be felt for a long
time. We will miss his wise perspective,
institutional memory, and most definitely
his wry sense of humor.
Staff» Advocacy»
Saying Thank You to Dr. Jack AldridgeNot just a veterinarian; not just the Director of Veterinary Services; not just a favorite among clients and staff — but a veritable institution. His retirement on September 11, 2012 leaves a big hole to fill.
Part of the SF SPCA’s strategic Vision 2020
is to increase our advocacy efforts. So we are
very excited to share the news that Brandy
Kuentzel has joined the SF SPCA as our first
Corporate Counsel and Director of Advocacy.
As the only lawyer on staff, Kuentzel says
she hopes to offer “a unique perspective to
both old and new animal welfare issues.” The
position draws on her experience with the U.S.
Senate and the California State Senate, as
well as her training as an attorney at one of the
nation’s leading law firms and as the winner of
the 10th season of NBC’s “The Apprentice.”
Caring and advocating for animals is
demanding work, and Kuentzel has set lofty
goals. In any given day, she might travel to
the State Capitol to help advance humane
legislation, craft position statements that outline
the SF SPCA’s stance on contemporary animal
welfare issues, work alongside our adoptions
staff to navigate California’s murky animal laws,
and counsel neighboring rescue organizations
on how to effectively manage liability.
Kuentzel says she works best “with a visiting
shelter dog curled up beneath my desk,
and at the end of the day, I travel home to
debrief my cat, Mr. Herbert Kittles, on all the
day’s happenings.”
In the coming months, the SF SPCA will
expand its animal advocacy efforts. Drawing
on our unparalleled expertise, we will identify
and develop advocacy opportunities in our
community and foster cooperation among
community leaders looking to reach the
common goal of advancing animal welfare.
Kuentzel invites SF SPCA supporters to be
a part of our efforts to shape public policy
through legislative processes, citizen initiatives,
and consumer education campaigns.
To learn more about the SF SPCA’s ongoing
advocacy work and the issues that animals in
our community face today, visit our website
at sfspca.org/advocacy. Contact Kuentzel
at [email protected] to receive periodic
emails focused on current animal law and
advocacy issues.
As a partner in our advocacy efforts, Kuentzel
says, the SF SPCA will keep you informed and
suggest engaging ways to take action and
make a difference in the lives of all animals,
both within the walls of our society and beyond.
“Let’s shake things up together,” she
says. “After all, it’s our community and our
government, and we share a responsibility
to protect those animals who cannot
protect themselves.
“There are endless opportunities to advocate
on behalf of animals, and your voice matters.”
Allies in Advocacy: FROM ONE ANIMAL ADVOCATE TO ANOTHER
Brandy Kuentzel at the SF SPCA Adoption Center.
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Dr. Jack Aldridge
SFSPCA.ORG SAN FRANCISCO SPCA | 76 | SAN FRANCISCO SPCA FALL 2012
Eighth-grader Bridget Reagan and sixth-grader
Ella Gibson showed their initiative this summer.
Bridget is an excellent knitter, and she’s
starting a knitting club at her school in which
members will knit items to sell or donate to
benefit the SF SPCA.
For the SF SPCA camp, she donated a large
bag of beautiful knitted dog shirts to help keep
our pups warm and comfortable as they await
their forever homes.
Ella started a creative club that will benefit
the SF SPCA and many other animal welfare
organizations in the Bay Area. Club members
make wallets and other useful items out of duct
tape, sell them to friends and family, and donate
the proceeds to causes they care about.
Ella also wrote a beautiful song about dog
fighting based on the information she learned
in our Summer Animal Camps program. She
and her friends performed the song to the
whole group on the last day of camp.
In our Pet Pals (grades 3–4) and Furry Friends
(grades 5–6) camps, participants Lilah and
Reuben Ferris and their friends made gluten-
free honey cake and lemonade to sell as a
fundraiser for the SF SPCA.
They had a lot of customers who wanted to
help and donated far more than the 50-cent
charge for lemonade.
“The SF SPCA is a really awesome place,
and I love coming here in the summer for
camp!” Lilah said.
Their mother, Jackie Ferris, was
equally enthused.
“Their fundraising lemonade stand
on our street (one of the ‘Hardly
Strictly Bluegrass’ festival days) was so
spontaneous and from the heart,” she
said. “The kids and their friends Ivria
and Dahlia Crane were totally motivated
to donate their proceeds to SF SPCA.”
Community»
T his year’s session of Summer Animal Camps brought out the entrepreneurial instincts of some of its young participants, who came up with innovative, hands-on ways to support the
SF SPCA and make our community a safer place for all animals. More than 800 youth participated in our 10-week summer enrichment program, which was a 25 percent increase from last summer. And thanks to our generous donors, the SF SPCA provided over $18,000 in scholarships and other financial assistance to 65 at-risk or low-income youth.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our record-breaking fiscal year! During fiscal 2012, which ran from July 1, 2011–June 30, 2012, we made incredible strides toward our goal of ending animal abandonment in San Francisco by the year 2020. We saw amazing growth in nearly all departments, and succeeded in improving the lives of animals throughout the city. We couldn’t have done it without our supporters.
Adoptions
4,525 animals found new homes through the
SF SPCA. Fiscal 2012 was our best year for
adoptions in more than a decade.
5,000
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
’00 ’04 ’08 ’12
Spay/Neuter
We completed 10,307 surgeries, including:
3,315 SF SPCA animals
1,223 Animal Care and Control animals
1,506 community cats
Veterinary Hospital
2011–2012 marked our third year of double-
digit growth. As a nonprofit hospital, this
translates into increased assistance for animals
in need.
VETERINARY HOSPITAL
Boarding
Urgent Care
Behavior Modification
Spay/Neuter
Surgery & Dental Procedures
Ultrasound, Radiology & Endoscopy
Wellness Exams & Vaccinations
Foster
Our Foster Program helped 1,218 cats and
dogs get the extra care they needed. That’s a
16 percent increase over fiscal 2011.
Volunteers
More than 1,200 active volunteers donated
63,726 hours of their time. Without our
volunteers, the successes that we saw in the
past year would not be possible. Thank you
to everyone!
SpotlightYear in Review»
SUCCESSESON FISCAL YEAR
Bridget Reagan (left) and Ella Gibson Lilah Ferris
Reuben Ferris
Lilah Ferris (right), Reuben Ferris (second from right) and their friends at their lemonade stand.
We saw amazing growth in
nearly all departments, and
succeeded in improving the
lives of animals throughout the
city. We couldn’t have done it
without our supporters.(Continues on page 15)
Summer Campers Turned Fundraisers
SFSPCA.ORG SAN FRANCISCO SPCA | 98 | SAN FRANCISCO SPCA FALL 2012
8TH ANNUAL
Dog Day on the BayIt was a beautiful day on the San Francisco
Bay as we set sail for our 8th Annual Dog
Day on the Bay on Saturday, July 22.
Hornblower Cruises & Events once again
generously donated their boat, the San
Francisco Belle, for the occasion. All-star
chefs prepared a brunch feast for our
guests and their pooches. They danced
and ate while enjoying the beautiful scenery
of downtown San Francisco.
Guests enjoyed a rooftop relief area for
their furry friends, compliments of Sloat
Garden Center. Our Animal Assisted
Therapy teams were onboard and
greeting guests by our Puppy Dog Tales
Reading Room.
We had some amazing door prizes that
went to the highest bidders, including an
SF SPCA swag bag, a Hornblower gift
certificate, Producers’ Row Tickets to
“Beach Blanket Babylon,” a K9 Scrub Club
pet bed, and many more.
Special thanks to Hornblower Cruises &
Events for their unwavering support and for
helping us raise money for our Puppy Dog
Tales reading program, which improves
literacy in schools. Hope to see you next year.
Events» Events»
UPCOMING EVENTS
Learn How to Save Your Pet’s Life
Sign up for our quarterly classes on pet
safety. You’ll receive training on how to
recognize an emergency for your pet,
what to do if an animal is hit by a car and
other ways you can help. Cost is $50,
which includes training book and an SF
SPCA certificate upon completion.
If you’re interested in signing up for
our email list, please contact Jamie Holt at
Visit 7x7.com every
Friday for “Ask the Vet.”
Dr. Jeannine Berger, DVM,
answers questions submitted
by 7x7 readers. Ask anything
— she’ll have an answer for you!
EVERY FRIDAY
Catch us on
KSFO 560-AM for
“Puppy Love” at 8:40 a.m.
Watch us with an
adoptable animal every
third Friday of the month
on ABC 7 News for
“Perfect Pet” at 11:25 a.m.
VOLUNTEER
Be a Part of the
Holiday Magic
at Macy’s.
Volunteer with the
San Francisco SPCA at the Macy’s Holiday
Windows this season and help hundreds
of cats and dogs find loving homes. What
better way to spend the holidays and
spread the cheer than by helping a kitten
or puppy’s dream come true!
Last year more than 300 cats and dogs
found homes, and we raised almost
$80,000, but it wouldn’t have been
possible without our dedicated and
amazing volunteers.
To inquire about volunteering at Windows
this year visit sfspca.org/holiday-volunteer,
call us at 415.554.3008, or email us at
Tell us your stories at
litterdidyouknow.com
Like us on Facebook to
stay up-to-date on events,
campaigns, and to get your
daily dose of cuteness.
facebook.com/sfspca
Follow us on
twitter.com/sfspca for all
the latest happenings in
140 characters or less.
More pet fun at
sfspca.tumblr.com
Join us for a life in pictures on
pinterest.com/sfspca
ADOPTATHON WRAP-UP:
Thank you, Maddie’s Fund!
I n June, we were honored to be invited
to participate in Maddie’s Matchmaker
Adoptathon — a spectacular event that
offers no-cost adoptions to the public and
provides shelters with a handsome grant for
each cat and dog that finds a home.
This adoption event has been tremendously
successful in Alameda and Contra Costa
counties in past years, so we were thrilled that
Alameda-based Maddie’s Fund generously
added San Francisco to the mix this year.
The SF SPCA and Animal Care and Control
hosted a two-day street fair along Alabama
Street to drive traffic and adoptions from our
shelters as well as for the rescue groups that
joined the event.
Our sincerest gratitude to Maddie’s Fund and
its founders, Dave and Cheryl Duffield, who do
so much for homeless animals, all in the name
of their beloved Miniature Schnauzer, Maddie.
The totals, you ask?
• 110animalsadoptedfromtheSFSPCA
• 2,600animalsadoptedthroughoutthe
three counties
Not bad for a weekend’s work.
It was a beautiful day on June 2, and food
trucks lined Dolores Street as hipsters and dog
fanatics came together in the Mission.
Dolores Park was bursting with eager pooches
adorned in their favorite and most colorful flair
for our costume contest. We had every kind
of pooch, from Carmen Miranda to characters
from “Downton Abbey.” Our four-legged friends
sashayed down the runway as our expert panel
of judges chose their favorites.
We had our adoptable animals, along with our
local rescue partners, as our dog trainers and
veterinarians answered questions on the minds
of many dog owners. Alice, our resident kissing-booth pooch, was giving away wet smooches.
Spectators were taking wacky pictures with their pets in the Google+ photo booth while a live
mariachi band serenaded the crowd.
Special thanks to 7x7, Popchips, Zipcar, and everyone who came out to support the work we do!
See you next year!
Dog Days of Summer with the SF Giants
T he warm and sunny weather brought out the best and most
unusual fans at AT&T Park on Saturday, August 25, as we
welcomed many SF Giants spectators and their colorfully decorated
pooches. As our Giants played the Braves, you could spot many of
our furry friends dressed as players and food vendors, and wearing
other unique costumes in the stands.
Fans and their puppy companions got to prance around the field before
the game and participated in a rigorous costume contest. We had
everyone from Brian Wilson look-a-likes to a bulldog security guard.
A special thanks to the San Francisco Giants for their continued support of our mission. Another
big thank you to our enthusiastic volunteers for hyping up the crowd, distributing water, dog treats,
and waivers before and during the game.
Enjoying the sunny day on Hornblower’s Dog Day on the Bay.Photo by Kira Stackhouse
SECOND ANNUAL
THE WHOLE ENCHIHUAHUA
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SFSPCA.ORG SAN FRANCISCO SPCA | 1110 | SAN FRANCISCO SPCA FALL 2012
On Thursday, Sept. 6, Philanthropist
Boutique, in partnership with The
Humane Society of the United
States (HSUS), hosted a special benefit that
raised nearly $18,000 for our charity vet care
program for sick and injured animals.
The party brought together SF SPCA
supporters, boutique clients, and animal-loving
fashionistas who purchased beautiful designer
clothing and jewelry to support animals in
need. 70 shoppers enjoyed delicious hors
d’oeuvres from Small Potatoes Catering, and
Mutt Lynch Winery was on hand pouring their
Unleashed Chardonnay and Fou Fou le Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc.
Philanthropist founder Jessica Moment
envisioned the boutique as the perfect way
to combine her passion for fashion and her
commitment to philanthropy. The boutique
offers chic, modern, and luxurious women’s
apparel and contributes 100 percent of the
profits to charities combating poverty in the
Bay Area.
“We are thrilled to partner with The Humane
Society of the United States and the SF SPCA
to help families in need and their animals,”
says Jessica Moment, owner of Philanthropist
Boutique. “The SF SPCA’s programs help
so many pets throughout the Bay Area, and
their charity veterinary care program fits
perfectly with our goal of helping Bay Area
families in need. Our clients want to look their
best but also care about giving back to their
communities, and this partnership helps them
do just that.”
Each quarter, Philanthropist selects a Bay Area
charity to support with the profits from sales
during that quarter. In addition, Jessica and
her husband, Jason generously matched the
sales from the September 6th benefit party
with a personal contribution to the SF SPCA.
We are grateful to Jessica and her Philanthropist
Boutique for bringing The HSUS together with
the SF SPCA to help promote a program that
serves the local community and is invaluable
to the lives of countless dogs and cats, “says
Jennifer Fearing, California Senior State Director
of The Humane Society of the United States,
who attended with her dog Yoda.
We are very proud to have partnered with
Philanthropist and The HSUS to raise funds
for our charity vet care program, which
provides financial assistance for pet guardians
who are unable to afford necessary treatment
for their pets.
“Our charity vet care program is one of the
cornerstones of our plan to end animal
abandonment in San Francisco by 2020,” says
Jason Walthall, SF SPCA Co-President. “Our
research shows that unaffordable vet care
is one of the top three reasons why animals
are abandoned in our city. The generous
support from Jessica and Jason Moment,
Philanthropist Boutique, and The HSUS,
combined with the more than $2 million we
dedicate to this program each year, will help
us serve a lot more animals and allow them to
stay in their loving homes.”
Many thanks to Philanthropist Boutique and
The HSUS for their generous contributions to
our charity vet care program.
We thank you. They thank you!
RAVS, a program administered by the Humane
Society Veterinary Medical Association, has
been providing free veterinary care to remote
communities since 1995. In the past 17 years,
RAVS has held clinics on more than 40 Native
American reservations throughout the United
States and in more than 18 countries.
During RAVS trips, which generally last about
a week, a mostly volunteer team provides
basic health care services for cats and dogs,
including spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations,
parasite treatments, soft tissue surgeries,
and urgent care. For many animals in these
communities, RAVS is the only opportunity
they will ever have to receive veterinary care.
Currently, about 8,000 animals receive aid in
the U.S. each year.
There’s a strong connection between RAVS
and the SF SPCA. Many SF SPCA staff
members are dedicated volunteers who spend
their vacation days on RAVS trips. Conversely,
many RAVS volunteers network with SF SPCA
staff members during trips and later come to
work in the Bay Area.
Dr. Kate Kuzminski, SF SPCA Director
of Shelter Medicine, was working as a
veterinarian in Canada when she volunteered
for her first RAVS trip in 2006. It was there that
she met Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, SF SPCA Co-
President, which ultimately led Kuzminski to
the Bay Area and into what she describes as
her “dream job.”
“Not only do you give back to the communities
you visit, but you gain as well. Everything you
learn and practice in the field helps you in the
shelter, and there’s an enormous amount of
personal growth that takes place on every
trip,” she says. “You don’t realize how far you
can really push yourself until you try and are
surrounded by people with the same vision
and dedication.”
Living conditions on RAVS trips are very basic,
and participants rarely get more than a few
hours of sleep each night. When they do sleep,
it is in a communal setting, often on the floor of
a church or in an unused corner of a makeshift
clinic. Even running water is often a luxury. And
yet many volunteers find the trips so rewarding
that they return year after year.
Robin Post, SF SPCA Veterinarian Technician
Supervisor and RAVS volunteer since 2008,
explains, “When you see pet guardians lined
up at 5 a.m. to visit the clinic, where you’re
sleeping and what you’re eating for dinner no
longer matter. You’re too busy and focused.
You feel like you’re making a huge difference.”
In addition to helping hundreds of animals on
each trip, RAVS has a broad long-term impact
that inspires volunteers to keep contributing.
“Going on a RAVS trip is like planting a seed,”
says Kuzminski. “What you create grows,
including your connections with other vets,
the skills you bring back and teach to others,
and the spay/neuter surgeries that prevent
generations of unwanted animals.”
Philanthropy» Volunteer Vets»
Philanthropist Boutique: TRUE TO ITS NAME
Helping Rural Communities in Need“There’s a huge reward in helping clients, families, and children who love their animals and want to be able to provide care but can’t,” says Windi Wojdak, RVT, Director of Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS).
To learn more about RAVS, including how
you can get involved, visit ruralareavet.org.
Check-in lines for RAVS clinics often begin forming as early as 5 a.m.
Each year RAVS provides assistance to approximately 8,000 animals on Native American reservations across America.
Jessica Moment, Philanthropist Boutique owner and member of The HSUS National Council. Susan Atherton, Chair of The HSUS National Council.
Jennifer Fearing from The HSUS and her dog Yoda.
RAVS volunteers provide medical care for a litter of puppies on Standing Rock Reservation, South Dakota.
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“We are thrilled to partner with The Humane Society of the United States and the SF SPCA to help families in need and their animals,” says Jessica Moment, owner of Philanthropist Boutique.
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SFSPCA.ORG SAN FRANCISCO SPCA | 1312 | SAN FRANCISCO SPCA FALL 2012
AAT Program» Behavior»
T raining more teams. Hosting the new
MESCAAT (Master, Empathy, and
Social Conscience through AAT) program.
Conducting Puppy Dog Tales reading sessions
on campus. Providing privacy for volunteers
and program participants. Allowing AAT to be
more self-sufficient. Hosting more events.
These are just some of the advantages of the
big new Animal Assisted Therapy space on the
second floor of the Leanne B. Roberts Animal
Care Center at 201 Alabama St.
“It’s incredible!” said Jennifer Emmert, Ph.D., Animal
Assisted Therapy Manager. “The new space
will enable us to better serve our community by
ensuring that we are putting the best and most
highly trained in the program.”
And we couldn’t have done it without the
generosity of the 33 donors who stepped
up with gifts from $20 to $2,000. All of
the donors were current or former AAT
volunteers. Jason Walthall, Co-President,
commented, “Our AAT volunteers always
come through. There is such great
commitment and passion to this program.
It brings out the best in everyone.”
Reactions have been universally positive.
Everyone has been excited about how bright
and engaging the new space is. The SF SPCA
held an open house on the evening of Sept. 27
to showcase the new space.
One volunteer said it best: “It couldn’t have
happened to a nicer program.”
P et behavior issues are one of the
most common causes of animal
abandonment. The San Francisco
SPCA offers a variety of services to help
prevent, diagnose, and treat behavior issues.
In the Summer 2012 issue of Our Animals,
we introduced SF SPCA Director of Behavior
Resources, Dr. Jeannine Berger. Dr. Berger
offers private behavior consultations at our
Veterinary Hospital for people who are at their
wits’ end because their pets are out of control.
But what if you have a dog that just needs a little
guidance to unlearn some bad habits? Or you
want to adopt a kitten but aren’t sure if you’re
ready? The more you know about dogs and cats,
the more you can enjoy the benefits they offer
to their human companions, and the better you
can handle any behavior issues that may arise.
Canine Classes
We have always offered plenty of basic dog
training classes, and from time to time we’ve
added new courses to our roster. In August,
we introduced a new class called Focus:
Attention, Not Tension. You can think of it as a
concentrated and — yes — focused version of
our popular Reactive Rover class.
If your dog barks, lunges, or otherwise exhibits
aggressive or fearful behavior in certain
situations, going for a walk can be a stressful
affair for both you and the dog. The three-
session Focus class teaches you the tools you
need to get your dog to focus on you instead
of the things that trigger bad behavior.
Another recently launched class: Building
Independence. Nowadays, we tend to take
our dogs all sorts of places, but sometimes,
we just have to leave them home alone. For
some dogs, being left alone is incredibly
stressful. The result: overturned garbage cans,
shredded furniture, and barking and howling
that disturbs the neighbors.
Building Independence is a three-session class
that will help you ease the separation anxiety
that grips your dog when you’re not around.
The result? Your dog is happy, your neighbors
are happy, and you return to a house that
doesn’t look like it was hit by Hurricane Fido.
Visit sfspca.org/training for a list of our current
dog training classes.
Cat Classes
Feline Care Coordinator Ian Gilmore tells us that
many conflicts between cats and their guardians
are the result of avoidable misunderstandings.
New Cat 101, a free two-hour seminar for people
with cats, new adopters, or anyone interested
in adopting a cat, represents Gilmore’s attempt
to help people understand cats better and see
the feline-human relationship in a new way that
enhances compatibility.
The seminar, which debuted Aug. 16 at the
Training Annex, 243 Alabama St., included a
talk and slide presentation by Gilmore as well
as a Q&A session. Attendees left with some
handouts on basic behavior (also available on
our website at sfspca.org/cat-info), a list of
recommended reading compiled by Gilmore
and Dr. Berger, and some new knowledge
promoting inter-species understanding.
Watch the Cat Behavior page (sfspca.org/cat-
behavior) for upcoming New Cat 101 classes.
GREAT NEW SPACE FOR
The AAT space was part of a larger
project to build more program and
office space in the Leanne B. Roberts
Animal Care Center. As with any project,
there are always unsung heroes.
Meet Ron Andrus. He was the
superintendent (read: grand maestro)
at Plant Construction for both the
hospital construction project and this
latest office build-out. He’s responsible
for everything from the coordination of
construction staff and contractors to
making sure that the building follows
the architect’s drawings.
“Ron has a tremendous work ethic. He’s
extremely organized and detail-oriented.
Plus he cares very deeply about the San
Francisco SPCA. He really took these two
projects to heart,” noted Dylan Berry, Senior
Project Manager at Plant Construction.
After the hospital project was completed,
Ron commented, “It has truly been one
of the highlights of my career, and I’m
grateful to have been a part of it.” He was
so taken with things here at the SF SPCA
that in 2007 he adopted a 5-year-old
black Lab from us.
Ron is a husband celebrating his 25th
anniversary, a father of two, a sports fan,
and a baseball coach. But to us, he’ll be
the guy who made this fantastic building
come together. The hero behind the scenes.
At the SF SPCA, we take pride in making
people’s dreams of a dog or cat in their
family come true. But Ron made our
dreams of expanded programs and space
a reality. Thank you, Ron.
MEET RON ANDRUS
Christina Chavez, Animal Assisted Therapy Assistant (left) with new volunteer Linda Gordon and her dog Remy.
SF SPCA Education:NOT JUST FOR KIDS
Volunteer Matthew Hartman shows how practicing good behavior starts in the shelter. Photo by Caroline Louie.
Animal Assisted Therapy
SFSPCA.ORG SAN FRANCISCO SPCA | 1514 | SAN FRANCISCO SPCA FALL 2012
The San Francisco SPCA is announcing a new drop-off veterinary service! For routine care, simply drop your cat or dog at the SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital before 9 am and then pick him or her up before 6pm. One of our veterinarians will examine your animal during the day and contact you with any questions or if any unexpected tests or procedures are recommended. No hassle, no waiting!
Busy day? Skip the waiting room!Call 415-554-3030
or visit the front desksfspca.org/drop-off
*Non-urgent care for patients seen within the last 18 months. Pets over 10 years of age will require veterinarian approval. Deposit and payment in full required.
Easy. Stress-free. Affordable.• DROP-OFF EXAM FEE: $57 • TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Humane Education
We increased our humane education outreach
by 23 percent, touching the lives of 5,138
children who will become the next generation
of animal advocates.
Animal Assisted Therapy
The SF SPCA’s AAT program celebrated its
40th birthday. AAT visits increased by nine
percent during 2011–2012, to a grand total
of 79,300.
Behavior Resources
2,965 dogs benefited from SF SPCA training
classes. Problematic behavior is one of the
leading causes of surrenders. By fixing those
problems, we’re helping keep animals out of
the shelter system.
Best Places to Work» Fiscal Year»
As Dr. Scarlett and Jason highlighted
in their opening letter, this has been
an incredible year at the SF SPCA.
From receiving the “Best Places to Work 2012”
award, to the anti-puppy mill campaign, to our
superhero theme at the San Francisco Pride
Parade — there’s no question we have a lot to
be proud of.
Our employees are exceptionally inspired
by our mission and our accomplishments
wouldn’t be possible without their drive and
dedication. Their insights, experience, and
attributes create the pulse of the SF SPCA and
we’re grateful for all they do every day. Our
diversity is our strength and ALL humans and
animals are valued in our culture of inclusion.
We’d like to take this opportunity to reveal
some of the unique and superhumane
perspectives from our employees that make
SF SPCA such a great place to work.
“I have the pleasure of working with volunteers and their dogs as they go out on pet therapy visits
to hospitals, schools, convalescent homes, and more. One time someone said to me, ‘You have
the best job in the world, because no matter where you go, everyone is happy to see you!’ I
couldn’t agree more!” Christina Chavez, Animal Assisted Therapy Assistant
“After 20 years with the SF SPCA, this feels like a second home to me now. I feel supported by my team
and other departments too. I also love hearing from our clients when they share their experiences with
us. It makes me proud to work here.” Yrma Santana, Client Services Representative
“I work with a fantastic and diverse group of people who work hard and have fun. Not to mention
I have the luxury of being able to bring my dog to work with me!”
Ana Campos, Registered Veterinary Technician
“Although my family is spread throughout the states, it feels like I have a family at the SF SPCA.
There are so many people in the community that give their time and want to engage with me.
There’s such a positive atmosphere here.” Kim Moeller, Canine Behavior Specialist
“For me it’s all about the mission. I’ve always been really passionate about animal welfare. To be able to
combine my media and communication skills to further a cause I really believe in — it’s really a
dream job for me.” Krista Maloney, Media Relations Associate
“I feel very proud being a member of this society and representing it within the Latino community.
I look forward to my future experiences and knowledge I will gain from working at the SF SPCA.”
J. Adan Ruiz, Veterinary Assistant
“Finally I work somewhere where I can let my crazy cat lady hang out. Where else could I hang
up photos of my four feline family members, not worry when my black skirt is covered in cat fur,
get discounts on pet care, and have pet bereavement leave?”
Cynthia Kopec, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
GO TEAM SF SPCA!
Adj: 1. Having or showing exceptional
ability or powers that are
characterized by kindness,
empathy and compassion.
Superhumane
POWER at the SF SPCASuperhumane
SF SPCA staff and volunteers at the 2012 San Francisco Pride Parade.
(Continued from page 7)
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Want to join the SF SPCA team?
Visit sfspca.org/careers
201 Alabama Street San Francisco, California 94103
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