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Finding Furever Family
From shelter to sofa: A look at the intimate relationships between San Franciscans and their best friends
Dog Lovers to the Rescue
Located on the 200 block of Alabama Street between 15th and 16th streets, San Francisco's Rescue Row is home to the San Francisco Animal Control Center, the San Francisco SPCA, and Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. Thousands of dogs began their journey for a new home on this very street.
Part 1: The Rescue
A look at the importance of animal rescues in san francisco
How do dogs end up abandoned?
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Lifestyle changes such as moving to a housing facility that doesn't allow pets
All of these are reasons why dogs end up without a home. Without organizations to aid them, these dogs would likely end up either fending for themselves on the streets or killed off.
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Health issues that prevent the previous guardian from taking care of the dog any longer
These are just a few of the many reasons why dogs end up in need of a home. Without organizations in place to lend them the help they need, these dogs may end up abandoned and forced to fend for themselves on the streets.
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The dog proves to be too time consuming for the previous owner to take care of
These are all reasons that dogs can end up without a proper home. Without organizations like the ones located in Rescue Row, these dogs would be left to fend for themselves in the streets or ultimately killed off without ever having a chance to survive.
No-Kill Shelters
The city of San Francisco is home to many no-kill shelters that have opted against euthanizing dogs and other shelter animals. The result is a near perfect annual live release rate (percentage of dogs that leave the shelter alive) for organizations like Muttville and Rocket Dog
Part 2: Events
Bonding Activities between dog and guardian
Off the Leash Parks
While the number of dog parks among these cities may not seem drastically different , it is important to note population size. San Francisco has a population of approximately 864,000 people. New York's population is approximately 8.6 million. This may account for the abundance of events, as well as the dedicated San Francisco dog community.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and Bringfido
Wag Hotels Hosts Annual Egg Hunt
canine family members relentlessly sift through plastic eggs to find treats
The annual Easter Egg Hunt at Wag Hotels in San Francisco is one of many events hosted throughout the year to celebrate the relationship between dog and guardian. The event boasts an array of activities, such as pictures with the Easter Bunny, an obstacle course, a raffle, and of course the egg hunt. It is an outlet for dog guardians to socialize and bond with their furry friends. For them, raising a dog is much like raising a child. So it stands to reason that events like this are so popular in San Francisco.
rescue dogs ON THE GO
From the dog park, work, home, and traveling, rescue dogs are family members and are treated as such.
A Familiar Story
Go to any dog park in the city and you will hear a local tell a tourist that there are "more dogs in the city than kids." Fur babies are more common in San Francisco than human babies.
Part 3: Furever Family Found
San Francisco resident Michael and His two dogs are a modern family
happy tails
The bond between rescue dog and guardian is like no other. Nothing will come between these dogs and their guardians.
Lulu
Collie / Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Mix, 13
Lulu loves to cruise her favorite dog park, begging for snacks and love from all the park-goers.
Jack
German Shepherd, 7
Jack loves to "fish" for children at the park, dropping his ball into the play area in order to get a kid to play with him.
IRREplacable
"They are the most important things in the world to me. I would give up my Harley, my house, anything in the world, just to make sure they are okay."
- Michael Bavuso