October 2021

In October, SFACC directly adopted out 149 animals: 109 cats, 19 dogs, and 21 other species. In addition, 180 animals were transferred to rescue partners: 69 cats, 40 dogs, and 71 other species.

Woohoo! Velvet hippo perfection Armadillo has been adopted. Check out her Instagram page: @rosiegirlpitbull!

Kitten beauties Portia & Cassia were adopted together. They’ve been waiting 2 months for their forever home and they found a great one, with an adult cat and dog siblings! Thank you for adopting a bonded pair!

Woohoo! Brindle beauty Indi has found her forever family!

We love when kittens go home in pairs! Here’s a Happy Tails update about a pair who went home last month: “I got these 2 sweeties this past month and the intros are going great. Just wanted to share. Formerly Grigio and Sol; now Monster (gray) and Taz (black).”

We’re looking forward to hearing about their adventures!

Darling puppy boy Andy went home!

Sweet guinea pig mama S’mores has been adopted! This lovely lady arrived at the shelter pregnant. She had her babies and raised them in a foster home. Now it’s her turn to be cared for.

A two cat happy tails update! We love hearing about kitten pairs all grown up! “I adopted Otis and Cleo five years ago when they were active 6 month old adolescent kittens. Otis the house panther is the most affectionate cat I have ever known. He is also very active and needs a lot of attention, so I am very happy to have Cleo to help entertain him. Cleo is more aloof and enjoys a nice nap and snack. Both of them have been such a comfort, especially over the last year and a half.

And another great dog has gone home: Little Bear (aka Osito). Happy tails to you sweetie!

Hammie adoption update! Jellybean was adopted a month ago and his adopter reports that he’s doing great and learning to love her.

Another wonderful happy tails update! “Six years ago we adopted this one and her sister from your shelter. We all live in Maine now. This morning when I saw her like this it reminded me of her and her sister cowering in the back of the cage when we came there to adopt a cat. Our experience at your facility and with your staff was terrific and as you can see she’s doing fine. Thank you for connecting us.”

We love seeing our grads relaxing in their forever homes!

Disaster Preparedness for Pets

Remember when we used to think of only earthquakes when we considered the disasters San Francisco might experience? Unfortunately, that list is growing, so being prepared is critical for you and your pets.

At the October 14 meeting of the S.F. Commission of Animal Control and Wefare, our own Dr. Shari O’Neill, DVM, gave a comprehensive presentation on the supplies to have on hand for your pets, how to make a pet disaster plan, and where to seek shelter for you and your pets in the event of an emergency. You’ll learn exactly what you need in your pet go-to bag. Be ready. Your pets are counting on you!

View the meeting recording HERE (the presentation starts at about minute 7).

Download the PDF: SFACC Pet Preparedness & Sheltering Presentation.

September 2021

In September 2021, SFACC adopted out 163 animals: 130 cats, 19 dogs, and 14 other species. A total of 185 animals were transferred to rescue partners: 57 cats, 48 dogs, and 80 other species.

“Thank you so much for helping us find Lionel, he’s an absolute sweetheart. He’s a handful but we knew what we were getting ourselves into and we’re excited to work with him to be a good canine citizen. 🙂

What’s better than an update about one SFACC alumni? One about two alumni! Beautiful Thorton was very scared here at the shelter, but is doing great in her new home: “I took home Thorton three weeks ago and she’s very happy and settling in with her sister (also SFACC alum!) Miss Honey (fka Autumn)”

Gia was adopted and is now home with her new family.

Daisy

Friday

Nina

We got an update straight from SFACC grad Libby, complete with DNA results: “It’s me, Libby!!! Another year, another update… It’s been 7 years since I moved into my forever home (Oct 15th 2014). Mom finally decided to get us all DNA tested… She always suspected I had boxer in me… I like to use my paws a lot for getting attention and punching, I gravitate towards boxer dogs during playtime and I’m a rather wiggly, goofy and high energy dog… Mom was right I’m 50/50… Here are a few pictures of me being me throughout the year… I wanted everyone to know Im living my best life with my housemates Bulleit and Taco… Mom calls us BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato or Bulleit, Libby, and Taco)… With that said, till next year… Happy National Black Dog day and Pitbull Awareness Month…”

We can’t wait to hear from you again next year Libby!

A beyond cute feline update: “I wanted to share an update on Patrick, now Franklin (aka Frankie). We adopted him last Thursday. He has settled in nicely with his new family and older cat brother Ripley (who we adopted from ACC last September). Ripley welcomed him immediately and Frankie is very fond of him. We are all loving the kitten playtime, laughs and snuggles. Thank you for all you do for these precious animals!!”

Gorgeous Rose was adopted a couple of weeks ago and we already have an update! “She’s just now getting comfortable and friendly with her brother! She seems to really like her new home! Thank you all so much.“

August 2021

August surpassed July in adoption numbers, with 218 adoptions: 22 dogs, 170 cats (meow!), and 26 other species (guinea pigs, rabbits, and birds). The shelter staff transferred an additional 61 dogs, 95 cats, and 140 other species to partner organizations.

Our longest term dog resident Ivy has found her forever home! Happy tails sweetie!

An update from kitten Buck’s adopter: “I wanted to let you know how things have been for Buck as he has settled into my home! He very quickly explored my apartment and after a couple of days, has developed a strong relationship with my current cat Willoughby. They’re now playing together a lot and Willoughby has taken on big-brother duties and regularly licks and cleans Buck (who I have renamed Percy).”

Fluffy boy Teddy has been adopted. Hooray!

We love Lava Cake! And now she has a family to love her too.

Molly’s been adopted!

Pretty Kitty with her new family, who are giving her a perfect new name: Patches. An update from her adopters: “Thank you everyone! Patches had a good transition for her first night and getting to smell all the new smells in our neighborhood. Her tail is up in the air and she is a happy puppy. Our son is giving her so much love and she is filling his heart.”

Woohoo! Little pup Pablo has been adopted!

Wombat with her new family.

Gorgeous boy Bentley just went home last week and we already have an update! “Just wanted to send some pictures of Bentley over and say thank you so much for everything!!! 4 days together and he has absolutely changed our lives. He is the best behaved, most loving, happy little pup ever. We still can’t wrap our heads around how perfect he is. Thank you for posting him to your social media page which led us to him. Thank you to all the SF animal care and control workers and volunteers who took him in and cared for him along with every other gentle soul they meet. Countless lives have been saved and changed for the better through your compassion. We are forever grateful!”

Montero

Hayes with his new family.

Montgomery

We love kitten updates, especially about bonded pairs! “I got these 2 sweeties this past month and the intros are going great. Just wanted to share. Formerly Grigio and Sol; now Monster (gray) and Taz (black).”

We just heard from the lucky family who adopted rattie pair Walt Jr. & Flynt: “We love our new members of the family. They are wonderful. I would like to thank the people working at Animal Control and the Volunteers for the wonderful adoption experience.”

Adopted pup Talulla has her own Instagram: @talullalovesyou

SFACC B&T Supervisor Katy Jones drove big boy Draco to a foster in Oregon (through the BRAVE Rescue organization). Draco was a wonderful passenger and BRAVE is a partner of SFACC that has done a lot for our bullies!

Sweet Halley was adopted by one of our own dog volunteers. Woof!

Big Mac is now named Milton. Adopted by former SFACC staff member Craig O’Brien:

“Brandon and I want to express our gratitude for everyone at Animal Care & Control San Francisco, thank you all so much! This big hunk is fitting in really well, he’s perfect! You all work like a well-oiled machine, lots of teamwork! Thank you Ketzia, Michael, Martha (she processed our adoption paperwork), Angelique, Tim, and a big thanks for Tony for the dog to dog, and the cat test! I can’t leave out all the wonderful volunteers, thank you for being of service! We know how hard you all work for the city’s animals, thanks for all you do, you’re all appreciated! Also, BIG THANK YOU to Officer Pone (Stephanie) for safely rescuing him while he roamed the streets of San Francisco! His new name is Milton, and he’s a big lover! He loves sleeping, car rides, and everyone who crosses his path … he’s completely non-reactive to other dogs. Milton and our 15 yr old kitty Quincy are getting a long really well, he’s super respectful, and he’s also become fast friends with our tortoise Chester-Perkins! We hit the lottery with this guy, we’re so incredibly grateful that he’s part of our family, thanks again everyone at Animal Care & Control San Francisco !!”

McKenzie Joseph – Friends of SFACC Director of Dev. & Communications

What do you do for Friends of SFACC ?
I started working with Friends of SFACC (Friends) the first week of February, 2020, as a Campaign Manager. My role was to work directly with the Board of Directors and SFACC to raise funds to support the new shelter and multiple Friends-funded programs at SFACC. I am now serving as Director of Development and Communications for Friends. My focus is to continue stewardship of our generous donors and solicit new donors to keep funding the Behavior and Training Program for SFACC, the Rescue Partner Grant program, along with other SFACC needs that are not funded by the City of San Francisco.

How did you become involved with the Friends of SFACC? 
I was not aware of all of the amazing services SFACC provides until I began preparing for this position. When I was looking to adopt my very first dog, SFACC was my first stop, but the day I went all of the available dogs were at an adoption event! I am glad that I was able to experience the old building without knowing about the capital project in the works. In just that short experience, it was obvious how much the animals and people of San Francisco needed and deserved a better facility.

Where did you grow up and have you always been interested in animals?
I grew up in Bakersfield, CA. My dream career as a child was to become a veterinarian because I couldn’t think of anything better than spending all day every day with animals. That dream quickly faded once I realized the tougher sides of being a vet. My parents are Great Dane lovers, and because it gets so hot in Bakersfield, our 100+ pound Great Danes were mostly house dogs, which I loved.  When I was younger, I also had a special fondness for smalls, and I always had either a lizard or turtle as my own pet that I didn’t have to share with my sisters.

Do you have pets of your own? What do you do when you’re not at work?
I share my home with one cat named Sloan and one dog named Grey. Sloan is an independent, lazy, loving, orange kitty who has finally warmed up to sharing his home and his mom with his hyper little sister, Grey. Grey is a mystery breed who came into my life from Family Dog Rescue when I was working for a non-profit in the Bayview. I live in Pacifica, so I spend much of my spare time with Grey either at the beach or hiking.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I can honestly say that I believe in the work SFACC does and find so much joy out of being able to play even the slightest role in their success. Working alongside other like-minded, animal-loving people makes every day a treat.

Grey and Sloan lounging together (Ruff life!)