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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

» 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

Pho

to b

y Ig

or C

apib

arib

e

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 ouranimals@sfspca.org 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 advocacy@sfspca.org 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.

Pho

to b

y R

ob S

chro

eder

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

jholt@sfspca.org.

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

WindowsVolunteer@sfspca.org.

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

Pho

to b

y K

ira S

tack

hous

e

Pho

to b

y K

ira S

tack

hous

e

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.

Pho

to b

y S

usan

Mon

ger,

DV

M

“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.

Pho

to b

y C

laud

ine

Gos

sett

for

Dre

w A

ltize

r P

hoto

grap

hy

Pho

to b

y C

laud

ine

Gos

sett

for

Dre

w A

ltize

r P

hoto

grap

hy

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)

Pho

to b

y Je

nnife

r Ja

mie

son

Want to join the SF SPCA team?

Visit sfspca.org/careers

201 Alabama Street San Francisco, California 94103

Change Service Requested