As officials elected to represent the interests and concerns of the residents of San Francisco, we find that our responsibilities do not stop with the human residents living in the City. In addition to recent legislation passed by Supervisor Bevan Dufty setting standards of care for dogs, the board has addressed issues and policies regarding pigeons, cows, bison and elephants, just to name a few.
One of the key departments at the heart of all these issues is Animal Care and Control (ACC).
In a nutshell, ACC is responsible for San Francisco’s stray, injured, abandoned, neglected and mistreated animals and for the enforcement of all state and local animal control and welfare laws. The group provides animal shelter services and care, including neutering, spaying, microchip implanting, screenings and vaccinations, for approximately 14,000 animals every year. It accepts stray, surrendered or abandoned animals, both domestic and wild. And of course, they have various animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, birds, fish and reptiles, available for adoption.
If you have a dog, you have definitely been to ACC to get your mandatory dog license. If you have a cat, you can participate in the ACC’s voluntary cat registration. Either way, you may need their services if you have lost your animal or found one in your neighborhood.
For those of us who do not have companions of the furred, feathered or scaled variety, you may find that you need the help of ACC to rescue an animal in distress, to report animal abuse, to pick up ill or injured stray animals or to remove dead stray animals.
If you are interested in adopting an animal through ACC, you must be 18 years of age or older, have valid, verifiable identification and live where a pet is permitted. If you are interested in volunteering with the ACC, they always need help walking dogs, assisting with animal adoptions, providing lost and found assistance, fostering animals and promoting the ACC at community events.
I have included more information for all these services and for emergency animal help. I hope you make time to take a look and utilize all the great services offered by ACC.
Animal Care and Control
1200 15th St., at Harrison Street
Phone numbers:
General information: 554-6364
Animal emergencies: 554-9400 Lost Pet: 567-8738
Barking/noise complaints: 553-0123
Volunteer information: 554-9414 Website: http://www.animalshelter.sfgov.org
Hours: Shelter is open noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Sunday, and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Fees for adoptions: Dogs: $100; Cats: $100; Rabbits: $45 male and $55 female; birds and reptiles vary according to species; Other small animals (rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs): $10
Seniors receive a $5 discount on all adoption fees.
Dog licenses: Unaltered dogs: $24/year; altered dogs: $12/year.
Fiona Ma is a San Francisco supervisor representing District 4.
Westside San Francisco 