SAN FRANCISCO (January 14, 2025)— The San Francisco SPCA is preparing to receive dozens of animals from Southern California shelters affected by the wildfires, as part of a coordinated emergency response effort to help overwhelmed facilities in the crisis zone. All of the animals will be available for adoption following health checks at the SF SPCA in the coming days.
On Monday, January 13, the SF SPCA deployed to Los Angeles, to deliver critical supplies to the LA County Animal Shelters. On Wednesday, they will return with dozens of cats and dogs, all ready for adoption. The effort will provide relief for Southern California shelters that were over capacity, creating space for displaced animals in Southern California. The transport will include 30-40 cats traveling by air with the support of Amelia Air Rescue, a nonprofit that saves shelter pets by flying them to new families. Simultaneously, multiple vans of dogs will make the journey north to San Francisco.
“During emergencies, animal shelters become vital community resources, and we’re seeing that play out right now,” said Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, CEO of the San Francisco SPCA. “Many shelters in the affected areas were already at maximum capacity before the fires began. In San Francisco, we’re able to transfer their existing shelter animals our shelter, so that they can maintain space for displaced pets closer to home, maximizing the chance of reunion with their families.”
To prepare for the incoming animals, the SF SPCA launched a free puppy adoption promotion, so that its current animal residents can find immediate homes. There is momentum with 71 animals finding homes this past weekend alone, including 25 puppies. The urgent need for more adoptions remains ongoing, so that the SF SPCA can ensure adequate space for the arriving animals. The SF SPCA has already scheduled a second transport mission for next week.
Community members interested in supporting this effort can:
- Adopt a pet, with free puppy adoptions available this weekend
- Consider fostering if unable to adopt permanently
- Share information about the adoption promotion within their networks
- Follow SF SPCA social media channels for updates on both initiatives
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