Bay Area/ San Francisco
Published on June 04, 2016
Pitch In To Help Pets At SPCA's Pacific Heights CampusJay Iness and SPCA Animal and Client Care Associate Erika Sandberg with rescue dog Jackie. (Photos: Geri Koeppel/Hoodline)

Whether you have an hour once in a while or a couple of hours each week, you can help the San Francisco SPCA Pacific Heights campus at 2343 Fillmore St. care for the hundreds of pets that move through the facility each year. And of course, you can always lend a hand by adopting one (or two) of the adorable animals.

Amber Eby with Terram.

If you're able to give the time, the SPCA needs people to do everything from feeding and playing with animals to cleaning to being "match makers"—"They introduce potential adopters to their pets," said Amber Eby, adoption center manager. She added that feeding is a popular task. "If you're the one feeding the animal, you're obviously their favorite person," she said.

Danny and Deena.

The center asks volunteers to commit to at least one two-hour shift a week for six months, and it's open from 1–6pm Monday-Friday and 10am–5pm Saturday and Sunday. When the shelter is full, there are about 30 cats and 10 dogs, and if you're a cat person or dog person specifically, you can request one or the other, Eby said. On any given day, about 15 volunteers are on site.

SPCA Pacific Heights

In addition, "We have throughout the year several adoption events," Eby said, where they really pull out the stops. They're usually around Valentine's Day and in the spring and summer. For the larger events, they're looking for people for one-time tasks like donating baked goods or volunteering to do face painting. The next big event will be part of the nationwide "Clear the Shelters" effort on July 23th–24th.

Felicity.

The SPCA also brings retired police horses in from a ranch to appear at its big events. You can buy carrots to feed the horses and get your picture taken with them. "It's a cool thing, especially for the kids to see the horses," Eby said. 

At the last major adoption event May 20th–22nd, 40 animals found homes at the Fillmore location alone. During fiscal year 2015, the campus saw 909 adoptions (558 cats and 351 dogs), and this fiscal year, which ends June 30th, they expect to meet their goal of 1,030 total adoptions. The San Francisco SPCA as a whole last year adopted out 3,106 cats and 1,813 dogs.

Truman loves to play ball.

If you can't give time to the center, but you can give love and affection to a pet, they're always seeking forever homes for the temporary residents. Recently, Jay Iness and Haitham Hajres of the Mission stopped in with their adopted dog, Jackie, one of many rescued from a Korean dog meat farm. Hajres said people often compliment them on her coat and appearance and ask where they got her, and are surprised to hear she was a rescue. They ask, "There's dogs like that at the SPCA?" Hajres said.

Angel.

The selection of animals is always changing, Eby said, so check back if you don't find a bond immediately. "Even if we don't have the dog you want today, you can come back on Sunday and the population could be completely different," she said.

More adoption information is online. To volunteer at the Pacific Heights campus, contact volunteer coordinator Pat Boyd at volunteerph [at] sfspca [dot] org or (415) 568-3074.