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| SF/SPCA Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions we hear most often. Click on any question below. If you do not find an answer here, feel free to write us at publicrelations@sfspca.org.
- What is the difference between the San Francisco SPCA and the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control?
- What is the relationship between the San Francisco SPCA and the San Francisco Department of Animal Control?
- Are all SPCAs related?
- How is the San Francisco SPCA funded?
- Is the San Francisco SPCA a "no-kill" shelter?
- How do I adopt an animal?
- What are the hours of Maddie's Pet Adoption Center?
- Does the San Francisco SPCA have puppies and kittens available for adoption?
- Can I board my pet at the San Francisco SPCA?
- What do I do if I can longer care for my pet?
- Will you guarantee that my animal will find a home?
- What should I do if I've lost a pet or found a pet?
- How do I report a case of animal abuse or neglect?
- What should I do if I find injured wildlife?
- How do I go about building a "no-kill" shelter or instituting a "no-kill" policy in my community?
- What is the difference between the San Francisco SPCA and the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control?
The San Francisco SPCA is a private, nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving San Francisco's homeless dogs and cats, to helping pets stay in loving homes and to cultivating respect and awareness for the rights and needs of animals. We handle only dogs and cats and take a limited number of animals directly from the public; the majority of our dogs and cats come from the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control.
The San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control is the city agency that enforces animal control laws and anticruelty ordinances, picks up stray animals, rescues animals in distress and responds to animal-related emergencies. It runs the municipal shelter for all animals, whether lost, abandoned, surrendered or rescued. It takes in not only dogs and cats, but also other domestic and wild animals.
- What is the relationship between the San Francisco SPCA and the San Francisco Department of Animal Control?
The SF/SPCA and SF/ACC work together to save San Francisco's homeless cats and dogs. In 1994 we forged an Adoption Pact that guarantees a place at The SF/SPCA for adoptable dogs and cats. If SF/ACC can't place an adoptable cat or dog, it is transferred to The SF/SPCA, where it stays until it finds a home. We also take dogs and cats that need medical or behavioral treatment before they are ready for adoption.
- Are all SPCAs related?
No. There is no national SPCA headquarters, and each SPCA in the United States is a separate, independent organization. The San Francisco SPCA was founded in 1868 and is the oldest animal welfare organization in the West.
- How is the San Francisco SPCA funded?
The SF/SPCA is supported solely by private donations, grants, bequests and fees for service. We receive no government funding or tax dollars.
- Is the San Francisco SPCA a "no-kill" shelter?
San Francisco has been on the forefront of the "no-kill" movement, which aims to stop the killing of homeless cats and dogs. The San Francisco SPCA guarantees to find a home for all San Francisco's adoptable cats and dogs — animals that are healthy and free of serious behavior problems. In addition, each year we save thousands of dogs and cats that need medical or behavioral treatment before they're ready for adoption. Animals are euthanized only if they are too sick to be rehabilitated, or too aggressive to be safely placed in a home.
- How do I adopt an animal?
Come to Maddie's Pet Adoption Center and meet the dogs and cats waiting for a home. Our Adoption staff and volunteer Adoption Counselors will help you make the right match. To adopt an animal you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a valid identification with your current address.
- Be able to verify that you can have a pet where you live.
- Bring along any resident dogs or children for introduction to a new dog.
- Understand that The SF/SPCA reserves the right to deny an adoption for any reason.
Our adoption fees include first vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, initial health exam, microchipping, 30-day medical assistance plan, temporary I.D. tag and cat carrier or dog leash. (In addition, there is a mandatory training fee for dogs. This fee is refundable with proof of enrollment in a positive-reinforcement training class other than at the SF/SPCA.)
Adoption Fees: as of July 1, 2006
Adult Cat: $80.00
Kitten - 6 months or younger: $100.00
Adult Dog: $180.00* [$80 + $100 training fee for class of your choice]
Puppy - 16 weeks or younger: $250.00* [$100 + $150 training fee for 1 SF/SPCA Puppy class]
*SF residents will also pay a $14 dog licensing fee
- What are the hours of Maddie's Pet Adoption Center?
The Center is open 7 days a week, from 11AM to 6PM. It is located at 250 Florida Street, right around the corner from the San Francisco SPCA main entrance at 2500 16th Street.
· SUMMER HOURS: Sat-Wed 11AM-6PM, Thurs-Fri 12PM-7PM, July 1 - September 30
- Does the San Francisco SPCA have puppies and kittens available for adoption?
We have a number of kittens for adoption during the summer months, or "kitten season." The rest of the year, kittens are fewer and available less frequently.
We occasionally have puppies for adoption, but they usually find homes very quickly. Before you set your heart on adopting a puppy, realize that puppies are a lot of work. If your lifestyle could accommodate a one-year-old child, you might be ready for a puppy. Otherwise, a mature dog is probably a better choice.
We always have plenty of wonderful adult dogs and cats waiting for a loving home.
- Can I board my pet at the San Francisco SPCA?
No. The SF/SPCA is not a boarding kennel.
- How do I surrender my pet if I can't keep it?
At the San Francisco SPCA, our ability to take dogs and cats directly from the public changes constantly. It depends on our available space, our current population, the number of animals we take from the Department of Animal Care and Control, and how quickly the animals already here are finding homes. In any case, only dogs and cats belonging to San Francisco residents are considered, and only by appointment. In addition, the animals must pass our health and behavior evaluation. For more information call our Rehoming Program information line, 415-522-3541.
If you are a San Francisco resident and need to surrender your pet immediately, call the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control, 415-554-6364.
If you are not a San Francisco resident, call your local animal control agency.
- Will you guarantee that my animal will find a home?
Although we will try our best to find your animal a loving home we can not guarantee that the animal may not be humanely euthanized for medical or behavior reasons that may develop after the animal is accepted into our Re-homing Program.
- What should I do if I've lost a pet or found a pet?
If you've lost a pet, first search your neighborhood. Go door to door and talk to your neighbors. Search in the evening, when it's quiet. Call or whistle. If your pet is injured or frightened, he may be hiding. Drive around the neighborhood; a dog will sometimes recognize the sound of your car. Put up posters and distribute flyers with a photo and description of your pet. Don't include every detail about your pet; hold back a distinctive feature or trait. That way, if someone calls claiming to have found your pet, you can determine if they are legitimate by asking about a feature or trait that only someone who actually has your pet would know.
Go to the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control, 1200 15th Street (at Harrison), and look at the animals to see if your pet has been impounded. Animal Care and Control holds stray animals for 5 days. File a lost pet report and go back daily for several weeks to see if your pet turns up. Call the ACC Lost Pet Hotline, 415-567-8738, for a recorded message and partial list of impounded animals.
If you've found a pet, call or go to the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control, 1200 15th Street (at Harrison), 415-554-6364, and file a found pet report. You can take the animal to the Animal Care and Control shelter, have ACC pick it up, or care for it until its owner contacts ACC. For more information on Animal Care and Control visit www.ci.sf.ca.us/acc.
- How do I report a case of animal abuse or neglect?
Call the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control, 415-554-6364.
- What should I do if I find injured wildlife?
Call WildCare in San Rafael (Marin County), 415-456-7283, or SFROMP at 415-350-WILD (350-9453.)
The San Francisco SPCA does not take in wild animals, but we have general information on living with urban wildlife, including information on humane deterrents to control skunks, mice, raccoons, pigeons and other wild animals. Click here Living With Urban Wildlife, or call our Wildlife Help Line, 415-554-3053.
- How do I go about building a "no-kill" shelter or instituting a "no-kill" policy in my community?
There are several key elements in San Francisco's successful effort to save homeless cats and dogs. Chief among them: spay/neuter surgery to reduce pet overpopulation and cut shelter intake; rehabilitation and foster care to prepare dogs and cats for adoption; aggressive adoption programs to place shelter animals in loving homes; and an Adoption Pact agreement between the San Francisco SPCA and the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control that guarantees a place at The SF/SPCA for adoptable cats and dogs.
The San Francisco SPCA and the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control sponsor an annual Partnerships for Life Conference. The two-day event provides insights into San Francisco's lifesaving programs. For conference information, call 415-522-3569.
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The San Francisco SPCA
2500-16th Street
San Francisco, CA
94103-4213
Tel: (415) 554-3000
Fax: (415) 552-7041
Email us!
The San Francisco SPCA
"Dedicated to Saving Homeless Dogs and Cats"
Maddie's Pet Adoption Center
250 Florida Street- 415-522-3500
Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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