SF SPCA Merges with Pets Unlimited

The 146-year-old San Francisco SPCA, first animal welfare organization in the nation to adopt a “no-kill” policy for abandoned and surrendered animals, has joined forces with Pets Unlimited, a nonprofit that has been rehabilitating and adopting out cats and dogs for more than 60 years. The merger means clients and the community can now benefit from two state-of-the-art veterinary hospitals and adoption centers, one in Pacific Heights and one in the Mission.

Abandoned and unwanted animals are a burden for any city, but the San Francisco SPCA, though a campaign to address overpopulation, barriers to vet care and behavior issues, has turned the tables to achieve an unprecedented, 91 percent “live release” rate of formerly homeless dogs and cats. And now that SF SPCA and Pets Unlimited are merging, San Francisco can proclaim itself the most humane city in the country.

The merger consolidates management and goals of two veterinary hospitals and their associated adoption centers. The Pets Unlimited Veterinary Hospital at 2343 Fillmore St. in Pacific Heights has been renamed San Francisco SPCA Veterinary Hospital, Pacific Heights Campus, and will continue to operate with the same veterinarians and support staff as before. The SPCA’s veterinary hospital at 201 Alabama St. in the Mission District likewise continues to serve its community. Both hospitals provide veterinary services to the public and charity care for pets of low-income residents. In addition, the Pacific Heights campus provides 24-hour emergency services.

The Pets Unlimited and SPCA adoption centers also have combined resources while maintaining their separate locations. The re-branding is intended to eliminate public confusion, increase awareness and further the shared mission of ending animal abandonment in the city by the year 2020. According to the SF SPCA, the merger is expected to lead to 1,000 additional adoptions each year.

Each SF SPCA campus boasts a staff of devoted volunteers, and the Mission Campus offers a range of programs including dog training, animal-assisted therapy, educational programs, behavior consultation and community engagement. For more information, call (415) 554-3000 or go to their website to view adoptable animals and make an appointment to meet them.

Want to see for yourself? Here’s where to visit:

SF SPCA Pet Adoption Center – Mission Campus
Florida Street, (415) 522-3500. Hours are 1 p.m to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 pm. Saturdays and Sundays. Parking is free.

SF SPCA Pet Adoption Center – Pacific Heights Campus
2343 Fillmore Street, (415) 522-3500, adopt@sfspca.org. Hours are 1 p.m. through 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.