A Bay Woof Special Report
Everyone living in the real world knows that the last few years have been tough on countless individuals, families, and communities. Rampant job losses, an unprecedented flood of home foreclosures, and cuts in social services have caused untold human suffering. But how have these dire financial times affected animals?
As you might expect, the impact has been brutal. In the wake of stark state and federal budget cuts in key areas, many providers of animal services have been forced to make staff cuts, shorten their hours of operation, and shut down key programs that save the lives of abandoned dogs and other animals.
Bay Area agencies are better off than some, due to our pet-centric sentiments and higher-than-average median income. Yet many local shelter and rescue folks are on the edge of their seats when they consider the future.
The single biggest reason that Bay Area shelters have tight budgets these days is the sheer numbers of dogs and other family pets being surrendered to their care. Even when a shelter’s funding remains steady, a sharp increase in demand can stretch its resources to the breaking point.
The East Bay SPCA, for instance, reports a 26% rise in the number of dogs showing up at its shelters over the last 24 months. The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA) has seen a 6% increase in incoming dogs over the last year.
San Francisco Animal Care & Control (ACC) has seen a 15% increase in its dog population in the last two years and attributes this, at least in part, to the financial hardship experienced by many San Francisco residents.
As always, many shelter dogs have good adoption potential but are in need of medical care or behavior work. Responding to these special needs stretches already meager resources very thin indeed.
In short, more animals to care for combined with static or diminished funding equals a nightmare scenario. The bottom line is that more dogs than ever are at risk of euthanasia in the Bay Area and elsewhere.
The good news is that animal service providers have gotten more creative than ever in response to the crisis. The East Bay SPCA has begun using social networking to raise awareness of its programs and attract more support from the community. ACC is participating in more events and forming partnerships with community groups and businesses that care about animals. Pet Food Express, for instance, has become a key player, donating an adoption van, providing matching funds for ACC’s My Mutt program, and donating food for shelter animals.
ACC also has stepped up its dog licensing efforts. Always a key revenue stream for the agency, dog licensing has become even more important as its government funding has decreased. More personnel devoted to the licensing area means something has to go, so ACC is no longer providing non-emergency services outside its regular hours.
Some lucky humane organizations, including the East Bay SPCA and PHS/SPCA, report that private donations have remained strong and that more people are stepping up to help. According to Scott Delucchi of PHS/SPCA, volunteerism at the agency increased 20% from 2008 to 2009. “We believe our local community members have a good understanding of the vital role we play,” he says, and he believes the current unemployment picture also helps to explain the phenomenon. People have more time to give and are aware that their local animal groups need help.
Another economy-driven trend at PHS/SPCA is strong sales at its thrift shop, Pick of the Litter. Industry statistics show that secondhand stores nationwide are seeing a decrease in donations but an increase in sales as more people than ever go scouting for bargains.
Overall, the Bay Area’s animal care and rescue communities are surviving but cautious. Further cuts in government funding are expected, meaning more of the burden of saving animals falls on the shoulders of the animal-loving public.
Dog people are great at giving TLC to their own personal canine companions. It’s time now to share the love by increasing our support of local shelters, rescue groups, and humane organizations. With our help, they can continue to shepherd abandoned dogs and other animals toward a happier future.
Bay Area Dog Rescue Groups Need You!
The Bay Area is home to a wide range of dog rescue organizations that depend on the generosity of the community for their survival. They too are facing tough times. Visit the Rescue area of our website for a partial list of these life-saving groups and get involved with one or more of them. Provide foster care for a dog in need, donate food or other supplies, pay for essential veterinary care, or volunteer to help out. More than ever, we all need to pitch in to save innocent canine lives.
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