A conversation with Judy Dauphinais, SF SPCA Legacy Society Member
How did you get involved with the SF SPCA?
I started volunteering in the early 1990s as a dog walker. While I don’t remember my very first visit, I vividly recall the 1998 opening of Maddie’s Adoption Center, the first cageless shelter in the country. The event was unforgettable. Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and former SF SPCA President Richard Avanzino were both there. Dave and Cheryl Duffield also attended, as their foundation, Maddie’s Fund, made the center possible. Their story and dedication to animal welfare have always inspired me.
What role do animals play in your life today?
I cannot imagine not having a dog in my life. My current dog, Ghost, is my seventh Boxer. All were rescues, one came from the SF SPCA, and the others from Boxer rescue organizations. Ghost is all Boxer—petite and white with brown spots on her head. She has that legendary Boxer energy.
You participated in our first Animal Advocacy Day. What was that experience like?
It was eye-opening. Nearly 100 advocates, including representatives from the SF SPCA, CalAnimals, ASPCA, the Marin Humane Society, and the San Diego Humane Society, spent a full day at the Capitol meeting with legislators to build support for animal welfare bills. It was inspiring to see so many organizations come together, and I felt we were truly making a difference.
Why do you think advocacy is such an important part of animal welfare?
The most effective way to improve the lives of companion animals is through legislative change. There are draconian, decades-old laws governing state and local animal welfare that prevent shelters from providing the compassionate care animals deserve.
What inspired you to name the SF SPCA as a beneficiary in your estate plans?
I believe how we treat animals reflects on us as a society. All animals need to be treated kindly and humanely, and the SF SPCA is a leader in fulfilling that dream. Naming the organization in my estate plans felt like a natural extension of my lifelong commitment to animals.
What impact do you hope to achieve as a member of the SF SPCA Legacy Society?
My main hope is that the SF SPCA continues on its lifesaving community medicine path. Richard Avanzino has always been a leader in animal welfare, and seeing Dr. Jennifer Scarlett’s leadership today, I want that work to continue.
This story originally appeared in the fall 2025 issue of Our Animals magazine. Download a copy to read more.