Matilda, a sweet and memorable Pomeranian sporting a few purple accents, arrived at the San Francisco SPCA Hospital not feeling like herself. Although she had been a regular client at the Community Veterinary Clinic (CVC) since it opened in 2022, she was referred to our Mission Hospital after she presented with lethargy, poor appetite, and signs that something was wrong.
Her visit happened to fall on one of the busiest surgery days at the SF SPCA: a dedicated spay/neuter event focusing on community cats. Hosted by our Spay/Neuter Clinic, these high-volume surgery days help expand access to care and reduce unplanned litters among local cat populations.
The SF SPCA Hospital and Spay/Neuter Clinic work closely together, so staff quickly recognized that Matilda was showing signs of pyometra, a dangerous uterine infection that can become life-threatening if left untreated. Pyometra can happen to any dog or cat who is not spayed. Spaying a pet when she is young is the best way to prevent this dangerous, debilitating, and often costly emergency. Our teams coordinated quickly and brought Matilda to the Spay/Neuter Clinic, where she received this lifesaving surgery at an affordable cost.
A connected system of care
For Matilda and her guardian, access to timely and affordable care made all the difference. Instead of navigating multiple appointments, referrals, and costly diagnostics, Matilda received the surgery she needed that same day through our connected system of care. After surgery, she reunited with her guardian to recover in the comfort of home.
By the end of the day, our team had performed spay/neuter surgeries on 76 cats and one purple Pomeranian. Now that’s a successful day at the clinic.
Building trust through care
Caring for Matilda and her family didn’t stop there. Just one week later, Matilda’s guardian returned to the SF SPCA with her other Pomeranian, Madeline, for preventative spay surgery. She also encouraged a friend to bring in their dog, Popcorn, for neuter surgery.
Today, Matilda and her family continue receiving care at our CVC, where they have access to preventative care close to home. Their story reflects how trust and relationships often guide the path into veterinary care. One visit can lead to additional support, preventative services, and neighbors sharing trusted resources by word of mouth.
Through our Community Medicine Program, the SF SPCA is working to make veterinary care more accessible, connected, and community-centered for pets and people across San Francisco. From Mobile Vaccine Clinics and spay/neuter services to ongoing care at the CVC, these programs work together to keep pets healthy, reduce barriers to care, and strengthen the human-animal bond across San Francisco.
This story originally appeared in the summer 2026 issue of Our Animals magazine. Download a copy to read more.