Community Clinic

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jena Valdez oversees our most innovative and impactful veterinary care programs, which are designed to offer quality, compassionate care to shelter animals and affordable, non-judgmental veterinary care to clients and their pets.

In addition to overseeing veterinary services at the SF SPCA, Dr. Valdez pioneered the launch of the Community Veterinary Clinic, a first-of-its-kind, preventative care center in San Francisco’s Excelsior district (a longstanding veterinary-resource desert). She is also working to export the scalable Community Clinic model to under-resourced communities throughout California.

A graduate of Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Valdez has extensive experience in private practice, sheltering, and high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter services. She’s a nationally recognized advocate for increasing access to veterinary care and increasing diversity within the fields of veterinary medicine and animal welfare.

Dr. Valdez shares her San Francisco home with her husband, their ball-obsessed Dachshund mix, and a regal brown tabby.

When I was five years old, I was playing outside and saw a wounded pigeon in the street. I picked it up and tried to bring it home, but my mom had me take it back outside. I put the pigeon down and never saw it again. I regretted not caring for the bird, and from that day, I vowed to be a voice for animals and to advocate for them in their times of need.

Some of the most rewarding parts of my work as a veterinarian are advocating for my patients and finding medical solutions that make practical sense for each family. This can be a challenging field, so sharing perspectives and knowledge with other vets while fostering a supportive environment enriches my experience. And it’s gratifying to know we’re working together for the shared goal of advancing animal welfare.