Q&A with Aiko Anderson, Adoption Intake Supervisor
How long have you worked at the SF SPCA?
I started in October 2020 as an Animal Care Associate before being promoted to Animal Care Supervisor (cat-focused), Intake Associate, and, now, Intake Supervisor.
Do you have pets?
I have one dog, Ayame, whom I adopted in April 2024. I conducted her surrender and adopted her when she was available. I also have an iguana named Princess, who was rescued in 2018 after she was found running in a parking lot in Humboldt County, and a red-tailed boa named Moose (also adopted in 2018), who is a very chill guy.
What one word embodies the SF SPCA for you?
Strength.
What led you to a career in animal welfare at the SF SPCA?
I’ve always wanted to work with animals. Growing up, I volunteered at the San Francisco Zoo, helping with animal care and education. Before the pandemic, I was doing positive-reinforcement training with puppies but had to pause during the shutdown. Afterward, I knew I wanted to continue working with animals using R+ (positive-reinforcement) methods, so I applied to the SF SPCA.
What’s a typical day like for you at the SF SPCA?
My day usually starts with checking in with my team and reviewing the schedule for animal transfers. My team and I are in constant communication with at least two to three partners at a time to discuss candidates for transfer and the flow of operations. Throughout the day, I also respond to urgent calls and messages. These might involve hospital surrenders, walk-in returns, or animals found or abandoned. The most rewarding part of my day is driving to partner shelters to personally transport animals to their second chance at the SF SPCA.
What impact have you seen from working together with our partner shelters or rescues?
Working with our partner shelters brings hope—and that’s one of the most powerful impacts we can have. Hope for the best outcome for animals is why so many of us in animal welfare have chosen this as our career and life’s work. One of my favorite moments is being able to say yes to an animal that a partner is rooting for—whether it’s a dog who’s helped other dogs gain confidence or a wobbly kitten who climbs people for attention. With each yes, their chances of finding forever homes grow.
Why do you think partnerships are important in animal welfare today?
Partnerships are necessary for sheltering to work. Private rescues and shelters like the SF SPCA get our animals through partnerships and help lift the weight off municipal shelters. Partnerships aren’t just animal transfers; they share knowledge and resources so that we can get more animals into their forever homes and help our community keep animals in their homes.
What else do you want people to know about the SF SPCA?
The SF SPCA is in such a unique position because we are fortunate to have an amazing community of donors and supporters, which allows us to help support our partner shelters. We strive to use the support generously given to make the biggest impact possible on animals’ lives through transfers, donated supplies, and medical support.
This story originally appeared in the summer 2025 issue of Our Animals magazine. Download a copy to read more.