Q&A with Leti Luna, Senior Community Engagement Specialist at the San Francisco SPCA
How long have you worked at the SF SPCA?
I started working at the SF SPCA in December 2025, but before then, I volunteered as a dog walker at the shelter and supported the Community Medicine Program by volunteering at the Mobile Vaccine Clinics and as a Community Ambassador when this program was first getting started.
Do you have any pets?
Yes! I have my dog, Salsa. I met her during one of my volunteer shifts. She was super shy at first, but by the end of the day, we were outside walking and having fun. I called my husband, and we adopted her the following weekend. We also recently adopted a cat and named her Chips. Together, they’re the perfect combo!
What one word embodies the SF SPCA for you?
Care. Especially non-judgmental care. That’s such a big part of how I see the work we do here. Everyone here leads with compassion instead of judgment.
What led you to a career in animal welfare at the SF SPCA?
I’ve always loved animals and have always been a big advocate for them. Before joining the SF SPCA, I worked in journalism, and what I loved most was providing resources to people. Over time, I started volunteering more in animal welfare, and I found this role at the SF SPCA, where I can provide resources to the community I love so much.
What’s a typical day for you at the SF SPCA?
Every day looks a little different. Some days, I’m prepping for our Mobile Vaccine Clinic by packing our van and getting everything ready. On other days, after our staff and materials are prepped, we go directly into our local community to provide care. Every Thursday, I’m out in the community with our Community Ambassadors, either tabling or door-knocking to help connect families with services. After busy clinic days, there’s a lot of follow-up work, like checking records and invoices to ensure everything is accurate behind the scenes.
How does our focus on access to care impact your work?
Access to care is really my entire job. I see my role as being the connection between the community and the systems of care we have here at the SF SPCA. A lot of the work is about building trust and helping people feel comfortable reaching out for care. We go to people in their own neighborhoods instead of requiring them to come to us, and that makes such a difference. Sometimes, people feel intimidated walking into a big building or think they don’t belong there, but when we’re at their community center, basketball court, or neighborhood event, it feels familiar because it’s their space. That’s what access to care means to me.
This story originally appeared in the summer 2026 issue of Our Animals magazine. Download a copy to read more.