Nathan Andrews has been on the job as an Animal Control Officer (ACO) for SFACC since March. A native San Franciscan who grew up with a variety of pets in his household, Nathan got an early start in the animal shelter environment at 17, when he began working at Pets Unlimited (later the SFSPCA), a vet hospital and adoption center.
In his current role as an ACO, Nathan enjoys the variety of species he interacts with on calls for assistance. “Working on wildlife cases is new to me and interesting, whether we’re responding to reports about raccoons, skunks, coyotes…there’s so much urban wildlife in S.F.” His most memorable case to date involved rescuing a skunk that was stuck in an elevator shaft of a construction site 12 stories high. It was his first skunk case and a tricky one, “like diffusing a bomb—no sudden moves.” He had to walk very calmly on wooden planks to get to the skunk, who was not about to move from its corner. Moving slowly and carefully Nathan was able to pick up the frightened critter, who thankfully didn’t spray him, even in gratitude.
Nathan’s advice for those considering becoming an animal control officer: “This job is very public-serviced focused as well as animal focused. Spend time in the animal welfare field. Volunteer and maybe do a few ride-alongs with ACOs if you can.” Nathan says his experience at Pets Unlimited taught him a lot about animal care and customer service, both skills that inform his current job, “the customer service aspect of my job is underplayed. Much of what I do as an ACO is public education, either related to caring for a pet or dealing with wildlife situations.” For example, suggesting ways to avoid unwanted critters from making their home in a basement or crawl space, or pointing out that keeping pets safe by not leaving food for wildlife is a good idea. He’ll have many opportunities to use those people skills at SFACC.
203 adoptions in September; not including animals that went to rescues!
Two of our Toni’s Kitty Rescue graduates, Frankie and Short Stack, were adopted in Sept. Their foster mom was Toni herself. Here they are ready to go to their new home. Thank you Toni, for your partnership with SFACC!
Maine Coon kitties Kota & Kai were adopted by Warriors rookie guard, Jordan Poole. It’s nice to see them settling in and enjoying life. Here’s a VIDEO update, courtesy of NBC Sports.com…“They complement each other really well: Koda’s a talker and Kai’s very athletic and is so graceful…”
Brie (formerly Toast)
“is the best dog we could ask for. She gets along so well with her two
brothers, constantly snuggling or bugging them to play with her. I bring her to
work with me every day, where she meets new people, dogs and occasionally cats
– she is playful and curious with everyone, a true social butterfly. She is an
absolute dream and we couldn’t be more in love with her – so thank you for
taking care of her and giving us the opportunity to adopt her.” Toast was
adopted in October of 2018.
Sushi, was adopted as a puppy in early 2018, is living his best adventurous life. Looks like he’s a water lover! We love seeing and sharing updates. If you have one you’d like to share about your ACC grad, please send them to ACC@sfgov.org.
LOTS of cat adoptions happened in September, including kitten Mateo, here with his new family. …Cats Lulu, Azalea, Frazzle and Kitty were also adopted that same day, as well as kittens Dynamite Kid, Charlie and Michelle. Congratulations to all our adopters!
Georgia and her new mom.
Mumford (was named Monster), a 14 year old diabetic Maine Coon came to SFACC because his owners were having a baby and his behavior changed. Luckily, Diabetic Cats in Need Rescue got wind of Mumford and called to say they were coming to get him. They drove from Modesto to pick him up!
Tweety adopted with new dad.
Scrumptious kitten Hector was adopted today and he went home with handsome tabby Max (R)! What a terrific tabby twosome!
Murphy is excited to go to his new home!
We’ve had lots of small animal adoptions lately! Conure Potate, rattie Ink, Yolanda the bun, and parakeets Sweet Pea, Boba, Snow White, Reggie & Belle all found their forever homes!
Ink
Yolanda
We have an update for Tenzing, the cat rescued from the Bay Bridge… “BB (for Bay Bridge), is doing great. He made it safely across the bridge and is happily adjusting to his new surroundings. He has two other cat roommates and they’re happily getting to know one another. Since his arrival, he’s been exploring the different rooms, climbing on the counter tops, playing with new toys, chasing lasers, and taking plenty of naps. I believe his two superpowers are eating and napping. We are so happy to welcome BB to our home and are excited for what the future holds.
SF ACC alum Finn (formerly Rushmore) is living his best Husky life with his new family. He was adopted in March, 2019.
Four kittens were found Sept. 23 in the wall of our neighbor’s building, Dandelion Chocolate! An employee heard teeny meows coming from a wall in an area under construction and convinced the construction workers to break into the wall, where they found four 3-week-old kittens! The kittens are now well fed and safely in the foster care of Toni of our partner Toni’s Kitty Rescue. Thank you Dandelion and Toni!
Sweet pup Millie went home to the happiest and
most excited new parents today!
Two bonded pairs were adopted the same day: Hideyoshi & Marishka (L), and kitten pair Hans & Gretchen!
Captain
Radar
Luna and Terra are both three-year-old ACC alumna and
frequently enjoy the beautiful outdoors by visiting the beach, parks, and going
hiking. Luna, Labrador Retriever/Pit Bull was adopted in June 2016, and Terra, a
Staffordshire was adopted the following summer, August 2017.
A huge thanks to Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) for taking 13 SFACC dogs into their care this month. And hooray for superhero Animal Care Attendant Katy Jones who took care of all the paperwork required. Smokey Bear (R) was one of the lucky dogs!
For two days in August, SF City Hall’s South Light Court became KITTY HALL, an elegant room filled with lovely baroque music, courtesy of impromptuSF, and the mewing of many, many kittens. SFACC held the adoption events conveniently during lunchtime, and Dandelion Chocolate (a neighbor of SFACC) provided sweet treats–for the humans, that is.
Folks came by to cuddle kittens, and quite a few petting sessions ended in adoptions. Thank you to all the volunteers and staff members who helped out on this fun adoption event!
A recently adopted kitten has become BFFs with his older feline sibling. Looks like a picture perfect match!
Travi, now Gus, is truly living his best life!
“We adopted Travi, (we renamed him Gus) one week ago and
could not be happier with our decision. He has fit in with our family so
wonderfully! We were lucky enough to meet him outside of the shelter and his
kennel while he was on a walk. We saw how calm and loving he was, nothing like
he was when he was in his kennel, so stressed and anxious. It was heartbreaking
to see him that way and we knew we had to take this boy home. He’s had a great first week, lots of
walks, naps, belly rubs, playtime with his sister, naps, trips to the beach,
baths and did I mention naps? He truly is a mellow hunk of love!! We want to
thank your staff and volunteers for the love and care you gave Gus and to all
the animals you care for every day. It takes very special people to do what you
do!
Sincerely,
Laura & Derek Finglas
And of course Gus, formerly known as Travi.”
Sweet kitten Peppermint was adopted at SFACC’s Kitty Hall pop-up adoption event! Here he is with his new dad Manny. He’ll be going home to two-year-old and 10-year-old cat sisters.
Kylo has been adopted! He’ll be enjoying life in SF with his new dad!
Bramble Pie has gone home with one of our awesome dog volunteers and her partner! Lorraine “Lolo” Hansberry (formerly Bramble Pie) is settling in just beautifully.
Parakeet happy tails update! “Wallace has lived
with me & two lovebirds for a few years now. He was very frightened when I
brought him home, and, as with most birds who’ve had a rough start, it took a
long time to gain his trust. He comes to me now to discuss the day’s pressing
issues during morning coffee. He is a happy guy.
Thank you, AAC, for rescuing him!
More adoptions from our Kitten Pop-Up! Rupaw sashayed away to a loving home, Stubby found his forever parents, and Lizzle hit the jackpot with two wonderful papas!
“We adopted a dog “Chance” from SF Care and Control back
in June, he goes by Cobalt now! I just wanted to give you guys an update! He is
simply one of the best dogs I’ve ever met! He is so
sweet and trusting even from day one. He loves his new yard and chasing ball up
and down it! Thank you for making the
adoption process smooth and introducing us!”
“My parents adopted Truckee on August 3, 2016. He is an amazing dog! He was 8 (or so) when we adopted him from SF ACC and we wanted an older dog to be a companion and support for my parents. And he has been that in spades. He brings so much fun, laughter and love to our lives. Thanks for all that you do for the animals and the people!”
Raj Mathai was adopted during Clear the Shelters weekend.
Tony
Zoomba
Chunky Monkey
Faith
Shawna is serial Muttville adopter who couldn’t resist this handsome guy FENDER (R)! He will be going to live with his new sister Nami and Shawna in Marin and he’ll have a huge yard and a house full of comfy dog beds! …Thank you to our adoption partner Muttville!
Gillian
Goofy goes home.
For two days in mid-August, SF City (Kitty) Hall had a special adoption event: Kittens, Classics, and Chocolate at SF City (Kitty) Hall. The public met adoptable SFACC kittens. and enjoyed music from the local baroque trio, impromptuSF, and chocolate treats from Dandelion (SFACC’s neighbor).
Mochi, now called Steppe, going home.
Paige
Pickles
Trinket has left the
bldg – to join her new family including big older sister Violet!
“Hey,
just wanted to pass along an update! Rigby is doing great, lots of puppy energy
so she goes on lots of walks, plays tug a bunch, and loves running around with the
neighbor dog, but she also cuddles up for a good snuggle session now & then
as well. We’re working on her training & she’s doing well in puppy class,
though meeting other dogs is her favorite thing ever so sometimes she has a
hard time focusing. She’s had her first trip to the beach and the verdict seems to be that
the ocean is scary (for now!) but digging in the sand is the best! Thanks so much for taking such good care of her until we brought
her home!
Alison & Ivan”
Dear Dept. of Animal Care and Control,
I just wanted to let you know that I had an excellent
experience with Officer Stephanie Pone (Badge #22) and her partner when they
came to my house tonight to retrieve a pigeon who was trapped between my window
and a flower bed. They were kind, efficient, and creative in finding a
solution. You could tell how much they care about animals, and it was great to
watch that pigeon fly away!
Travi was what you might call a barker. In the adoption kennel at SFACC, he barked incessantly, whether people were walking by his kennel or sitting inside it with him. He barked even when no one was in the kennel room. In other words, his kennel presentation was lousy. Outside on a walk, or in the play yard, Travi was a completely different dog. He enjoyed being with other dogs in supervised playgroups, meeting people, and sniffing on walks. A perfectly happy guy! But in the kennel he was passed by. One day on a walk with a volunteer, Travi met a couple who came to SFACC looking for a companion for their 5-year old pittie mix. They were charmed by Travi’s good nature and ended up adopting him. Moral of the story: when you come to see animals in the shelter, remember that they might be very different dogs (or cats) when they are not in a kennel or cage. Give them a chance to put their best paw forward by meeting them outside their kennel. Here’s an update Travi’s new family shared with us…
“We adopted Travi, (we renamed him Gus) one week ago and could not be happier with our decision. He has fit in with our family so wonderfully! We were lucky enough to meet him outside of the shelter and his kennel while he was on a walk. We saw how calm and loving he was, nothing like he was when he was in his kennel, so stressed and anxious. It was heartbreaking to see him that way and we knew we had to take this boy home. He’s had a great first week, lots of walks, naps, belly rubs, playtime with his sister, naps, trips to the beach, baths and did I mention naps? He truly is a mellow hunk of love!! We want to thank your staff and volunteers for the love and care you gave Gus and to all the animals you care for every day. It takes very special people to do what you do!
Sincerely,
Laura & Derek Finglas
And of course Gus, formerly known as Travi.”
