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5/S San Francisco PublicLibrary GovernmentInformationCeOfer San Francisco Public Ufony fOQUfkin Street, 5thFloor •» Francisco,CA 94102 REFERENCE BOOK Not to be taken from the Library Digitized by the Internet Archive 2014 in https://archive.org/details/tailsofcity1991sanf Animal C Of Care& The AILS Control iTY CITYANDCOUNTYOFSAN FRANCISCO The Quarterly Newsletter of the City and County of San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control Vol.1, Number 1 Winter, 1991 i« .-v.-t-o r>cpj e JUL 2 1994 SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY FROM THE FRONT COUNTER Every summer, when children are out of school and people are MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR planning their vacations, our Shelter Service Representatives face their — biggest challenge kitten season. Dear Friends: Kittens and cats come in all day in On July 1, 1989, we opened ourdoors and were ready, ebvoexreysitmoabguicnkaebtlsetcoonbtaasisnienre,tsf:rom able and eager to provide Animal Care and Control kittens in humane traps and litters services to the residents ofthe City and County ofSan brought in by owners who have once again neglected to have their mother Francisco. cat spayed. This July, we celebrated oursecond anniversary. Over While most of us are out enjoying a these past two years we have handled in excess of Ssheealstoenr oSferfvuinceanRdepssunpsahtiineen,tloyurlisten thirty-three thousandanimalsand toourcredit wehave over and over again to stories of oneofthe highestrelease ratesofany MunicipalAnimal continuous, "unavoidable" litters. They have heard every excuse, but Control Shelter in the State. Our facility and programs persistantly continue to counsel and have been visited, admired and copied by Animal Care educate the public about the professionals from all over the country. importance of spaying and neutering. Fortunately, many compassionate pet owners do listen The reason this exemplary program has succeeded so and prevent their own pets from well (and I might add better than most people's having litters. However, summer at expectations) is due to the hard wo—rk and devotion ofa oaunrubnuesnydiSnhgelftleorwCoofuuntnewransttielldmceaatsns very special group ofindividuals the staff! and kittens through the door and the continual reminder that most will never find homes. HEY, BE CAREFUL OCIT THERE! — VET'S GAZETTE The dog catcher a harried charac- ter equipped only with—a long net Like anywhere else, we have our and a malevolent grin is a cartoon good days and our bad days here at figure. When Disney brings him on the Infirmary. We have interesting the screen in "Lady and the Tramp," cases and some heart-warming we all vote for the dog. And consid- successes, but then we also have ering that his IQ is obviously not many sad cases that we don't like to much higher than that ofthe truck remember. he drives, it's pretty obvious who is KENNEL COMMENTS going to come out on top! A good way to introduce you to the Veterinary Services Division might Among the thirty-seven people The City of San Francisco has no be to recount some of the stories of employed by the City's new Animal dog catchers. What we do have, our patients; after all, their stories Shelter is a class of nine individuals however, is a trained and dedicated are our stories. In the last week called Animal Care Attendants. As class of professionals known as alone, we have had a shepherd-mix theirjob title implies, these people Deputy Animal Control Officers or puppy found almost dead from are responsible for the daily care of ACOs. exposure in a d—umpster, nursed the seventeen thousand animals we back to health this animal found a house every year. When the earthquake devastated our home. A female German shepherd- City, it was an ACO pictured on the mix, hit by a car and seriously The work is hard. These are the front page ofthe newspapers crawl- injured, the owner's wife killed in the people who feed the animals and ing under the rubble in the Marina to accident—this dog went back home. clean up after them. These are the rescue a trapped cat. When a citizen A raccoon caught in a fence, people who vaccinate the animals sees a dog hit by a car on Geary tranquilized in the field and rescued and provide the first basic medical Boulevard, it's an ACO who stops by an Animal Control Officer—this and behavior assessment. For some traffic, provides the animal with animal went back home to the wild. of our animals who are victims of irnuistihaelstritiatgoeoaunrdShfierlsttearidfoarnedmetrh-en Alegcsatp,aarlasloyzceadu—ghtthiisnoanefewncee,coiutsldrne'atr nkeignldeactndorcaarbiunsge,petohpelseetahreeyt'hveefeivrsetr gency veterinary medical attention. help. It was humanely euthanized. met. When the police encounter a pit bull guarding a drug stash, it's an ACO We treat kittens and puppies, dogs These are the people who help that safely and humanely removes and cats with broken hips, broken citizens who have lost their pets try the animal. paws and upper respiratory to find them in our wards, and also We assist potential adopters choose an infections. treat injured pigeons, The Department's nine dedicated doves, and gulls and many more appropriate new pet. And these are ACO's are responsible for all emer- animals than we want to remember also the people who must hold, gency and routine animal related who had to be euthanized as soon as comfort and inject the animals we citizen requests for service, seven they were brought in because their can no longer keep with a fatal dose days a week, twenty-four hours a condition was so bad. On a bad of barbiturates. These people, the day. They are trained and sworn to day, it helps to go upstairs to play people who become Animal Care investigate all alleged violations of with a puppy or a kitten to remind Attendants because oftheir love and local ordinance and state laws ourselves that there are healthy commitment to animals have a sad, relating to the welfare of animals. In animals, that some will find good happy, rewarding, frustrating, upcoming issues ofthe "TAILS OF homes and be cared for by difficult, and it seems endless job. Ir THE CITY," you'll ride along with our responsible owners. the months ahead, we'll introduce Officers. you to the individuals and the work ofthe Department's Animal Care Services Division. 3 1223 07661 8231 VOLUNTEERS ON SHINE When we began the Volunteer WALDO Services Division in February of 1990, it was hard to imagine a thriving program of over fifty active volunteers. That day has come. He was a four-year-old basset hound Our Shelter buzzes daily with Dog who was brought into our Animal Walkers, Cat Socializers, Docents, Shelter after being lost on the streets Adoption Counselors and Lost and of San Francisco. Due to medical Found Coordinators. problems with his eyes, ears and skin, he was not put up for adoption As special projects arise, we have right away, but was placed in a bright, well-informed volunteers foster home. ready to donate their time and unique talents. These volunteers His foster family bathed him daily for lead training sessions, draw eye- his dermatitis and treated him for the catching name cards for our infections in his eyes and ears. After animals, greet the public at two months of loving foster care, his community events and assist with condition had improved so much spot projects in the Volunteer Office. that our veterinarian was able to All are working toward improving the pronounce him suitable for quality of life for the animals in our placement in a permanent home. Shelter. Waldo was quickly adopted. Volunteers come to us from varied During the first two weeks in his new backgrounds bringing a wide range home, however, Waldo showed signs of knowledge to share. Those with of depression, apparently missing extensive experience in animal care his foster family. His new owners, and behavior provide valuable wanting only what was best for him, suggestions and needed help in on- were thoughtful enough to bring the-job training of new recruits. Waldo back to us, explaining his Even the volunteers who come to us curious behavior. We immediately with little or no experience make contacted his foster family and found quick progress in feeling that they had been missing him comfortable working with the terribly. Eager to see a happier animals. Waldo, his owners unselfishly relinquished him, and Waldo's foster Through all ofthe trial and error of family was thrilled to welcome him the first year, those volunteers who back as a permanent member of were the true pioneers ofthe their home. program have been amazingly patient and flexible, for which we are truly grateful. As we move a little more smoothly through our second year, our most important goal is to help our volunteers feel great personal satisfaction while they give lots of love to our animals. Think aboutjoining us! PERSONAL ADS COLUMN DO YOU HAVE LOVE AND STILL THINK YOU CAN'T TIRED OF LOOKING FOR TIME TO SHARE WITH BUY LOVE?!?! WRONG!!! LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PURR-FECT STRANGERS? PLACES? For less than $30, including a deposit The City's new Animal Shelter has got for life-saving spay/neuter surgery, Adorable & adoring companions wj great opportunities for volunteers. you can bring home the new love of for warm hearts and hands at the Please call 554-9414. your life from the Department of City's new Animal Shelter. Just ca Animal Care and Control. Open for 554-6364 for details. adoptions seven days a week from 11am to 6pm, 1200 15th Street at Harrison. Find Yourself a Best Friend heSan FranciscoAnimal Opensevendaysaweekfor Careand Control Depart- adoptions, 11:00a.m. to menthasawidevarietyof 6:00 p.m., 1200 15th Street animals thatneedgood at Harrison. homes. Comedownand seeusand find 554-6364 yourselfabest friend. Animal Care& Control CITYANDCOUNTYOfSANFRANCISCO Printed on Recycled Papers with Soy based Inks AnimaSl i Care& i) Control CITYANDCOUNTYOiSANFRANCISCO 1200 15th Street San Francisco, CA 94103 TO: Jane Hudson, Documents Librarian, San Francisco Public Documents Section Civic Center CA 94102 San Francisco, V D0r' ,a,-fc'^ n^PT. JUL 2 1994 Animal Uf ' SAN It^?NC^CO TheC Care& AILS iTY Control CITYANDCOUNTYOFSAN FRANCISCO The Newsletter of the City and County of San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control Vol.2, No. 1 • 7200 15th St. at Harrison San Francisco, CA 94103 415. 554.6364 • Winter, I993 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR — thepublic AnimalCareandControl name andhe didn't answer. Since the will weather this period ofausterity windows and doors were miraculously and continue refiningand improving intact, I knewhe had tobe hiding operationsinourfourthyearofservice somewhere. to theSan Francisco community. Poor Rocky was so traumatizedby the quake that he had torn a hole in the cover ofmybox spring and CarlFriedman crawled inside. It took me 45 minutes Director to talkhim out. We wereboth freaked PT.ASI.L:SSOtaFrtTiHnEg wCiITtYh,tIh'illsbiessausekoifngone hloouibtmbayi.nndaTihtceawrraresiewgreeratetnidnagwboedunattrkfdisofotweInenptuotthe ormoreofthestaffand volunteersof people assembled and we had one thisDepartment toad—d theirown radio and two candlesbetween us. "DearReader" letters to tell their We spent the entire night huddled in DearReader: experiencesandfeelings in theirown the darkness listeningto the news and words. This issue includessuch waiting through the scary aftershocks. DepOarntmJeunltyofA1,nitmhaelCSaarneaFnrdaCnocnitsrcool AelenmtiptemlraoslyferCdoamrbeMysA.tthtMeeanDrdeaapnaLtra,tmambneondyt,vaosluann- wstiatyhInimntyhtehAemubonurtinlbideincngaguIfsdoerecIainwdoaetsdheatfrorganiiogdhsttto.ay completed four years of operation. teerPaulaZimmerman. Ihopeyou But, myAunt has two dogs; what cTahrainnkgsstatfofathnededfefdoritcsatoefdovuorlusnktielelresd,, enjoy what they have tosay. waorouulnddIadnodwaitnheiRgohcbkoyr?haIdashkeeadrd that we'vegrownintoaneffective,dynamic Animal Care and Control was helping organization, serving the people and Dear Reader: people who were displacedby the the animals of San Francisco with quake. So Ibrought him to the City's competenceandcompassion. Priorto the evening ofOctober 17, Animal Shelter. Theywere very Likeeverymunicipaldepartment, 1989, I did notknow thatAnimal Care understanding and supportive. I we're feeling the pressure and and Control existed. I was heading knewthen thathe wouldbe safe. In constraints of the City's fiscal crisis. home to watchthe Battle ofthe Bay the days ahead I returned to the City Timesarehard, andthere'snotmuch World Series Game when, at 5:04 and found temporary lodging with a promise ofthem getting easier in the P.M., Loma Prieta Earthquake rocked friend and immediately went to pick immediatefuture. myworld. up Rocky. When the Attendant As we seek ways to curtail costs Since I lived in an unreinforced brought him to me I hugged and wherever we can, it is with one masonrybuilding, earthquakes were kissed him all over. It was an emo- compelling commitment: We are always a concern — but I was unpre- tional reunion! He hadbeen well determinedthatthequalityofcarewe pared forwhat I found. I enteredthe cared for and had evenbeen given a provide to the City's lost, stray and building and saw cracks and fallen distemper vaccination. And I was abandoned animals and the quality plaster all overthe lobby and stair- never charged for the board and care, of service we offer its citizens will well, andlarge chunks ofdrywall the Department's gift during those remain ourhighestpriority. scattered everywhere. My room was a difficult days. We can make this pledge only disaster: cracks in the walls, fallen Since that time, I decided to give becauseweareconfidentthatitreflects plaster and mypictures, books, TV somethingback so Ibecame a volun- the strong commitment of our and lampshadliterallybeen thrown teer at the Animal Shelter. Every othuetisrtcaonndtiinngusitnafgfasunpdpvoorltun—teearnsd. Wwiitthh asctroopspsedt.heWrhoeorme. wMayshmeayrtsiaxlmyoesatr Wloevden,easfdfaecyt,ioInsapnedndatttweonthioonurtso gloisvti,ng theunderstandingandcooperationof old grey tabby, Rocky? I calledhis abandoned and surrendered cats. And Continueon Page2 . When the Bond is Broken: Animal Cruelty Picture a small childhappily 1} rollingonthe floorwith alitterofwide I eyedkittens. Imagine yourself jsl strollingleisurelyalongthebeach, to yourdog friskingaroundyouwitha piece ofdraftwood danglingfromher mouth. Or envision the perfectliving room, the perfectfireburningonthe grate, the perfect easychair, the perfectbookandrelaxingbackground lee — music certainly, there's eithera cat i nestlingonyourlap ora dog snoozing byyourfeet. Formostofus, the relationshipbetweenpeople andtheir companion animals are a source of great satisfaction andjoy. However, suchidyllicscenesarenot to FromPage 1 I looked down at this trembling alwaysthecase. Justaseverychildis to tttPiiUhooRennRy,ssgtofirnruvaoseltmistaotinhemdesu.tpchuhebIlwabilocasncoadkneadtrnofsauwmslseeir:stqatuffehesec--m luociuunttttdele,etrobaottbdahoykeu,etwwaothwmcoolaosnsae'ensrfdalacaoreohmkwa..lafsHImebpouunwlrtlaiehesddsvhoeilrdmy, namsoanotndrdlecsoahvotoefradrafiafbbonalrednd,dewoidannnaetacddeaddari,intnindgoonnhretogiomslteeehc.veteertEdyhvoddeuoon-ggs iafdtophteeyew.anRtecteonvtilsyitIwaidtohptaepdottewnotibaalby wfioltrhmy,sianfnedstreoduwnidtwhofrlmeassaannddwtiatpeh- aenncde,camtsasntyraagngilimnaglsfobretcheoimrevetrhyeetxairsgte-t rats from the Department for my own. abrasions onboth hocks. We im- forpurposefulcrueltyatthehandsofthe So, I nowhave a nice, cozy apartment pounded him as a stray, vaccinated humananimal. with Rocky, Thelma and Louise. him and put him in a puppy pen with The San Francisco Departmentof We're togetherthanks to Animal Care soft cleanbedding, food andwater. Animal Care and Control isthe agency and Control. Every time I visited him, he sat in one responsible forthe City's stray, spot shaking. injured, abandonedandmistreated Sincerely, The next day I fleabathedhim, companion animal andwildlife, as Paula Zimmerman cleaned his ears and clipped his nails. well as forthe investigation ofall He felt alittlebetter, but was still very violations oflocal andState animal [Editor's note: in addition to the care withdrawn. The third day I calledto welfare and anti-crueltylaws and providedabove, theDepartmentserves him, he crawled overto me andlicked ordinances. As such, for everyhappy as the rescue teamforanimals injured my hand. After the mandatory stray storythatwe create — foreverydog 10 and trappedin both this earthquake and period, he was made available for and catwe can returnto a desperate L otherdisasters.] adoptionby the Veterinarian and ownerand for everyanimal we place Animal Care Supervisor. with alovingnew family — there is pji Dear Reader: I knew it would take a special, also anightmare tobe told. We are ft person to adopthim. The other the people who must dealwiththe AniOmfalthCearmeanDiyvitsalieosntroecteelnltlfyr,oomnteheof wpueprpeieavsaifloaubnled,hboumtebsecaasussoeohnearse-they bthreokveinctbiomnsdosfhanudmathnevbiroolkenecne.animals, I our mostheart-wrenchinghappened ksenrevwedahnidstarfufsetcetdi,onnofoornpeeowpalnetheedto Dependentuponthenatureand onAugust 31, 1992, when a lady adopt him. On his ninth day in our relativeseriousnessofthecrimeaswell broughtapathetic astheintentoftheperpetrator, thereare looking puppy j kennels, he finally wenthome. variousStateandlocalchargeswhichcan into our shelter I have spoken with his new owner bebrought — rangingfrominfractions by phone since his adoption,just to and put him on follow-up an old friend. She reports withminorfinancialpenaltiesallthewaj the counter. that he's now really happy! He's tofeloniespunishablebyuptooneyear's She proceeded become outgoing and loves to play imprisonmentand$20,000fine. Andas to tell us how ball. As soon as "Buddy" is old enough wouldbeexpected, theDepartmenthas she rescued this forhis rabies vaccination, he will start experiencedthefullgamut. Beprepared •an pthurpepeybofyrsomwho oItb'sedsiuecnccesessecsholiokle.this thathelp me get t..h.eAfopliltobwuilnlg,mpaasytpitrsopverismheocaksinag.. assist were abusing through the day! fightingdog andno longerwantedby him. They had a cordtied around his its owner, discoveredas aliving neck and were dragging him onthe Sincerely, skeleton, apparentlysurvivingon its sidewalk. Anytime he stoppedwalking, Mara Lamboy own excrement, locked in a closet. theyhadbeatenhimwith a stick. Continueon Page !