History

In 1989, San Francisco Animal Care & Control (SFACC) was established to provide animal care and control services to the City of San Francisco. These services were originally provided by contract through the San Francisco Society for the Protection of Animals (SFSPCA). That relationship remained for over a century, but when the SFSPCA did not renew its contract in 1988 for the following year, the City established San Francisco Animal Care & Control. SFACC has been providing these services as a municipal agency ever since.

How We Make a Difference

Animals make our lives better. We can make theirs better. We accept every animal found in San Francisco that comes through our doors. We believe all animals deserve an amazing life, but every day animals suffer in San Francisco because they are abused, neglected, lost, and unwanted. We do all we can to care for these animals–both domestic and wild. Our goal is to create a safe environment for all animals in San Francisco and deliver animal welfare programs that educate and serve the community.

Where does my donation go?
Your tax-deductible gift to Friends of SFACC supports the shelter’s wide variety of critical, life-saving programs and services that rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome domestic and wild animals. Contributions to the new building helped to outfit the new shelter with the latest enrichment equipment, furniture, and other enhancements.

SFACC helps humans? How?
We are the only agency in San Francisco that provides lost and found services for missing animals. We are also the first responder to any wildlife or domestic animal emergency, and we provide assistance to animals and people in need during and after disasters–from house fires to earthquakes. We also provide care for animals when their owners are indisposed due to displacement, safety, physical or behavioral impairment, institutionalization, or other unexpected emergencies. Some are experiencing homelessness or a physical or behavioral impairment. Some are served by SFACC’s Safe Pets program for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence. On average, we take in 10,000 animals a year: dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, birds, reptiles, fish, farm animals, and many others.

What do Animal Control Officers do?
Our Animal Control Officers serve every area of the City and respond to all types of animal emergencies. Officers help in situations such as raccoons or skunks trapped in a backyard space or on a roof, frightened or aggressive dogs, or birds tangled in netting. Animal Control Officers also investigate cases of animal abuse, cruelty, and neglect.

What is behavior training?
Every animal’s behavioral needs are different and shelter animals are no exception. We implement the most current positive training techniques in the industry. SFACC’s Behavior and Training Program (B&T) is an essential component to our success in placing animals in new homes. Besides evaluating the behavior of our animals to assess their placement in a potential and ideal household, the B&T team trains our volunteers to provide support and environmental enrichment for all animals while they are in our care.

Is SFSPCA part of SF Animal Care & Control or vice versa?
No. San Francisco SPCA is a separate, private nonprofit organization. In contrast, San Francisco Animal Care & Control is a municipal department. Although the two organizations are separate, we share a common purpose in saving animals’ lives and maintain a long-standing partnership to achieve our common goals. SFACC is responsible for holding all lost pets in the City and accepts all animals from residents who need to surrender their pets. SFACC is the first stop for San Francisco animals that are available for adoption, and the SFSPCA frequently takes animals from us to broaden their adoption chances. We work together to end the euthanasia of San Francisco’s adoptable animals.

A Little Help from Our Friends

Friends of San Francisco Animal Care & Control is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit all-volunteer organization founded in 2000. It is the only organization dedicated to raising funds for SFACC and its rescue partners. We underwrite programs, services, and supplies that the City budget does not cover, including a Behavior and Training program, quarterly microchip/rabies vaccine clinics, annual microgrants to adoption partners, fundraising and outreach efforts, and toys and treats for the animals.