More than 150 California animal shelters and groups offering free adoptions with the goal to find loving homes for 2,024 pets ASPCA providing funds to cover adoption fees for participating shelters   Sacramento (May 7, 2024) – The California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA), and the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) today announced the first-ever California Adopt-a-Pet Day, taking place on Saturday, June 1. The statewide adoption day will feature more than 150 Californi ..read more

Beware the Foxtail Plant: A Danger for Your Beloved Pet The foxtail plant is a grass-like weed that is prominent during spring and summer in many parts of the country. These plants have a nasty barbed structure that hook into an animal’s skin and can cause severe damage. Our veterinary clinics begin seeing a lot of dogs with foxtail injuries this time of year. So be extra careful and know what to do if your pet comes into contact with foxtails. “The most common thing we see is when the barbed portion of the plant works its way between toes or into ears and noses,” says San Francisco SPCA Hosp ..read more

Join us for our Second Annual Animal Advocacy Day! RSVP TODAY Advocacy Day: Tuesday, April 16 Time: 9 p.m. – 4 p.m. Where: Sacramento, CA The SF SPCA will once again be collaborating with animal welfare partners from across California for an Animal Advocacy Day in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 16. This day of action in the California State Capitol will be an important opportunity to make our voices heard and meet with elected officials. We invite you all to come out and advocate on behalf of critical pieces of legislation that will help animals in California. We will provide all ..read more

Poison Prevention It may be surprising, but many everyday household items can be toxic to our furry family members. The two most common pet toxins are human medications and human food. It’s critical to keep prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines safely stored, and that includes those carried in backpacks or purses. While we may not offer our pets bites from our plates, they are very capable of finding potentially harmful foods on their own, both inside and out of the house. So vigilance is a must. It’s under-the-radar items like these that can be overlooked when we think about poison, so ..read more

By having your pet spayed or neutered, you will be helping to prevent the birth of unwanted animals. But did you know…spayed or neutered cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives on average than those who aren’t? Female cats and dogs who are spayed not only avoid the health risks of pregnancy and giving birth, but they avoid serious and potentially life-threatening uterine infections as well. Spayed female animals also demonstrate a marked reduction in the risk of mammary cancer, which can be quite severe and even fatal in our pets. Neutering male cats and dogs eliminates their risks of testi ..read more

Did you know that Senate Bill (SB) 669—the legislation that allows Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) to administer vaccines while a veterinarian is off-site—is now officially law in California?  Taking effect on January 1, 2024, the new law enables RVTs to provide wellness examinations and provide vaccines protecting animals against diseases such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, while the veterinarian is off-site in certain locations. This new law is a crucial tool to help address the access to care issues that have reached crisis levels in California, due in large part to a ..read more

2024 is right around the corner and it’s a great time to prepare your pet for a happy and healthy new year. From dental cleanings to flea control and vaccine reminders, here’s some tips to get your pet ready to take on the new year.  Prevent the Pests  Restock your flea and tick medications. If you don’t have a few months’ supply on hand, you can order directly from our online pharmacy! Talk to your vet about heartworm protection, which may be administered during your annual exam appointment. Groom your dog or cat regularly to keep their coat looking pristine and to allow ..read more

‘Tis the season for feasting, festivities, parties, and…pet safety! Throughout the holidays, it’s important to be mindful of our pets and to keep potentially harmful items far from their reach. Here’s a quick list of what belongs on the “naughty list.” Holiday Food Hazards Chocolate: Great for the holidays, but not so great for pets. Chocolate is toxic for dogs, so be sure to keep it off-limits and away from them if it’s at your holiday celebrations. Seasoned turkey and turkey skin: Sometimes even in small amounts, seasoned turkey and especially turkey skin, can cause a life-threatening cond ..read more

Oct 15-21, 2023, marks the 30th anniversary of National Veterinary Technician Week and the SF SPCA is celebrating the expertise and amazing work of our Registered Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants.  This national recognition week exists to honor and spotlight the profession and the incredible work vet techs do. These hard-working people do so much more than assist veterinarians, they are essential to how patients receive care in the veterinary field.  What are Registered Veterinary Technicians? They provide both foundational and elevated patient care. They perform dia ..read more

With the State Legislative season now wrapped up, the SF SPCA is pleased to report on our successful advocacy campaigns aimed at improving access to care for California’s pets and their families. This year the SF SPCA expanded and deepened its advocacy engagement efforts and, working in close collaboration with other animal welfare groups, there are significant achievements to share with you.  We are delighted to announce that Senate Bill 669 (SB 669), which expands the ability of Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) to administer vital vaccines, was signed into law on October 13 by G ..read more