The Outreach Adoption Program is very close to my heart as I spent three years of my early career with the San Francisco SPCA doing events all over the city & county, even across the bay. Outreach is a vital piece of the SF/SPCA mission. It takes adoptable animals out of the confines of the shelter and brings them to neighborhoods, street corners, office buildings, street fairs, adopt-a-thons, pet supply stores and practically to your living room if they could get permission to wheel the cages in.
The biggest and most noteable event is our annual Macy's Holiday Windows, which utilizes the beautiful window displays of Macy's Union Square and spotlights adoptable cats & dogs. Each year we break records, finding homes for over 300 animals.
The SF/SPCA and Macy's holiday windows are a popular, annual tradition in San Francisco, showcasing adoptable animals in displays that take into account every element of design and comfort, from temperature controls to climbing and hiding spots for the featured dogs and cats.
The philosophy of Outreach has always been to educate the public about animal welfare while still providing the very important service of finding cats, kittens, dogs and puppies loving homes. It's not hard to win over the public when you are armed with kittens. We almost always have you at "Hello"! Who can resist?
Putting together an Outreach event is no easy task. Suitable animals have to be behavior tested and selected for the drive. A foldable tent, cages and table set up have to be loaded into the van each day and set up under the backdrop of downtown San Francisco and it's heavy foot traffic. Weather, noise level and safety are always a big concern, but the staff and dedicated volunteers are seasoned and ready for just about anything. I remember one time on Castro Street, a gust of wind nearly tore down our entire site, sending our tent, literature and chairs flying. Luckily the kittens in the cages were not harmed as they were anchored down really well.
The people who happened to be just walking by really stepped up and helped us put humpty dumpty back together again. That moment really stands out for me. The support I felt for our organization and our animals was overwhelming. Outreach truly bridges the gap between the SF/SPCA and the community that supports us, even in hard times.
If you want to see what all the excitement is about and attend one of our Outreach events in San Francisco, drop by the following locations:
August
Saturday, August 1 – Justin Herman Plaza, 9am – 1pm
Sunday, August 2 – Catnip and Bones, 11am – 2:30pm
Tuesday, August 4 – Embarcadero 4, 11am – 2:30pm
Wednesday, August 5 – Embarcadero 4, 11am – 2:30pm
Thursday, August 6 – Levi Plaza, 11am – 2:30pm
Friday, August 7 – 50 Fremont, 11am – 2pm
Tuesday, August 11 – Embarcadero 4, 11am – 2:30pm
Wednesday, August 12 – Embarcadero 4, 11am – 2:30pm
Thursday, August 13 – Levi Plaza, 11am – 2:30pm
Saturday, August 15 – Justin Herman Plaza, 9am – 1pm
Sunday, August 16 – Catnip and Bones, 11am – 2:30pm
Tuesday, August 18 – Embarcadero 4, 11am – 2:30pm
Wednesday, August 19 – Embarcadero 4, 11am – 2:30pm
Friday, August 21 – 50 Fremont, 11am – 2pm
Saturday, August 22 – Justin Herman Plaza, 9am – 1pm
Sunday, August 23 – Catnip and Bones, 11am – 2:30pm
Tuesday, August 25 – Embarcadero 4, 11am – 2:30pm
Wednesday, August 26 – Embarcadero 4, 11am – 2:30pm
Thursday, August 27 – Levi Plaza, 11am – 2:30pm
Friday, August 28 – Palace Hotel Event, 11:00am – 3:00pm
*Schedule subject to change*
Mobile Outreach location details:
50 Fremont - in the Food Court Plaza
Catnip & Bones -2220 Chestnut Street at Pierce Street
Embarcadero 4
Drumm Street at Sacramento
Justin Herman Plaza
Foot of Market Street
Levi Plaza - Battery Street at Filbert Street
For more information, email us at outreach@sfspca.org.
Learn how you can sign up to help with Mobile Adoption Outreach!
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