The voting is over, more than 7,000 ballots have been tallied, and the results are in. After months of nominations and campaigning, you now see the list of winners in Bay Woof’s 2012 Beast of the Bay Awards, our readers’ poll of favorite dog-centric people, places, and things in the greater Bay Area. Considering how many worthy possibilities there are in each of the 48 categories, it’s an awesome feat to narrow the field.
We are grateful to all of you who took the time to nominate candidates and fill out ballots, and are indebted to our loyal sponsors: KOFY TV-20 Cable 13, The Bay Area Reporter, and El Rio. We also offer heaps of gratitude to the fabulous Bay Area dog services community, BOTB winners or not. Because of you, all of us are privileged to live in the best woofing metro area in the world.
Come celebrate this fact, meet some of the winners and nominees, and mingle with other great people and dogs at this year’s Beast of the Bay Awards party on March 10. We’ll have live music, food, a raffle to benefit the winner of the Best Rescue Organization (#38), a canine costume contest, and a great time for all.
1. Best thing to happen to SF / Bay Area dogs in 2011:
Reopening of the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society adoption facility 41%
New Bay Area dog parks opening 25%
Dog community united to protest GGNRA extreme dog management plan 22%
We still have Fort Funston 12%
In May of 2010, a fire broke out in the wee hours at Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society’s 9th Street shelter, eventually destroying the cat housing area, laundry room, shelter offices, administration offices, the board room, and an upstairs apartment. More than a dozen cats awaiting adoption lost their lives due to smoke inhalation. Shelter activities were disrupted for many months while funds were raised to rebuild. BEBHS adoption facilities reopened last January, thanks to the support of the Bay Area’s awesome animal-loving community, and shelter operations are plugging along. Hats off and hearty woofs! More info: www.berkeleyhumane.org.
2. Best Dog Park
Fort Funston – Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) 44%
Albany Bulb – East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) 9%
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline – EBRPD 36%
Stern Grove – SF Recreation & Parks (SFRP) 11%
With its combination of coastal vistas, paved and dirt walkways, hang gliders(!), sandy beaches to run on, and surf to play in, Ft. Funston remains the favorite Bay Area dog park in our readers’ hearts. Sadly, as part of the GGNRA lands, it is in danger of being turned into a park for the few instead of a park for all – stay tuned to sfdog.org for updates. Better yet, get involved to save this jewel of off-leash space for future generations of dogs and dog lovers.
3. Best Hiking Trail
Redwood Regional Park Trail – EBRPD 41%
Ft Funston – GGNRA 33%
Point Isabel – EBRPD 20%
Dunn Trail – EBRPD 6%
Just a few miles from downtown Oakland, Redwood Regional Park (RRP) encompasses nearly 2,000 acres and offers a wealth of beautiful hiking trails for you and your canine companions. Gorgeous redwood trees and other native flora abound. There are bike and horse trails in RRP, so if your dog is reactive to either, check out the online trail map and plan your hikes wisely. A list of general guidelines for dog use at this and other East Bay Regional Parks is available at ebparks.org/activities/dogs. Main Park Entrance: 7867 Redwood Road in Oakland. There are several other entrances, see www.ebparks.org/parks/redwood for details.
4. Best View with a Dog
Stinson Beach – GGNRA 37%
Chrissy Field – GGNRA 36%
Dolores Park – SFRP 16%
Alamo Square – SFRP 11%
Stinson Beach is all about big vistas and lots of beach where you can walk and romp with you dogs … for now. It’s no wonder dogs love it. It’s a grand place to recall one of the main reasons so many of us live here: the incredible ocean and the gorgeous hills that dive down to meet it. Note: Go soon; the regulations regarding off leash dogs are set to change and it’s best to carry a leash for now.
5. Best Canine Sports Event
Agility 40%
Dog Day at the Oakland A’s 31%
Flying Disc 15%
Nosework 14%
For four years in a row Agility has cleaned up in this BOTB category, and we’re not surprised. The sport can be simple or incredibly complex, but it’s always fun and rewarding for both dog and human. If you’d like to see your dog weave through poles, crawl through tunnels, and navigate seesaws, check out www.bayteam.org to learn about local agility trials and trainers.
6. Best Adult Dog Play Group/Event
Pet Pride Day – San Francisco 48%
Waggin’ Hours at Wag Hotels 23%
Senior Socials at The Rex Center – Pacifica 21%
Poodle Day – Carmel 8%
After the 2010 rain-out, Pet Pride Day 2011 last October was the most successful PPD ever. With a shelter toy drive, pet costume contests that were outta this world, and a record number of animal species available for adoption, Friends of San Francisco Animal Care and Control pulled out all the stops to raise funds and awareness. BOTB voters say kudos for a job well done! helpacc.org
7. Best Puppy Social
SIRIUS® Puppy Classes – SF Bay Area 39%
BravoPup Puppy Playtime – Oakland 25%
The Rex Center Puppy Socials – Pacifica 19%
Metro Dog Puppy Socials – Richmond 18%
The fabulous furry happening called a Puppy Social (PS) provides meet-and-greet opportunities for pups during the crucial early socialization period. There are lots of PS events on offer in the Bay Area, but our voters singled out SIRIUS puppy classes that occur in many communities. Often, you can choose your dog’s play group according to size (tiny vs. beefy) and temperament (shy vs. active). If you also see to it that your young pup meets humans of all sizes, ages, ethnicities, etc. he will very likely grow up to be a confident and calm companion for you in pretty much any situation. Just ask Sirius founder (and regular Bay Woof columnist) Ian Dunbar. siriuspup.com.
8. Best Dog Happy (Yappy) Hour
Saturday Doggie Happy Hour at Doc’s Clock –
San Francisco 30%
Waggin’ Hour at Wag Hotels – San Francisco 29%
Yappy Hour at Paws & Claws – Oakland 28%
Socials at AnnaBee’s – Pacifica 13%
Doc’s Clock, a neighborhood bar in the Mission has just the right edge. Its regular Yappy Hours on the first Saturday of the month benefits the Give A Dog A Bone (www.gadag.org), life-enhancement program for long-term shelter dogs. Doc’s Clock gives 50% of the bar and 100% of the proceeds from a silent auction to the group. We were also pretty enchanted by a recent Meet Your Match event, when happy hour was further enlivened by adoptable dogs brought by the SPCA for a meet-and-greet. Now that’s the way to find true love! 2575 Mission Street, San Francisco. docsclock.com.
9. Best Fresh Water Bowl
Paws on Piedmont – Oakland 34%
Holistic Hound – Berkeley 26%
K9 Scrub Club – San Francisco 18%
Duboce Park Cafe – San Francisco 21%
A North Oakland community treasure, Paws on Piedmont is a great place to let your pooch lap up some refreshment while you admire the store’s fantastic window displays and peruse carefully selected pet gear and tasty treats. 3974 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. pawsonpiedmont.blogspot.com.
10. Best Free Treats
Pawtrero Bathhouse and Feed Co. – San Francisco 36%
Holistic Hound – Berkeley 28%
Paws on Piedmont – Oakland 20%
Dogbone Alley – Alameda 17%
A newcomer to the top four in this category, Pawtrero Bathhouse and Feed Co. made a huge splash this year, winning the category of best free treats. What’s in those things, anyway? We don’t know, but Bay Woof readers – and our dogs – think they’re tops! 199 Mississippi St. on Pawtrero Hill and 199 Brannan St., both in San Francisco. pawtrero.com
11. Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant
Half Moon Bay Brewery – Half Moon Bay 34%
Sit & Stay Cafe, Pt. Isabel – Richmond 29%
Dolores and Duboce Park Cafes – San Francisco 19%
Park Chow – San Francisco 17%
First of all, there’s the cool vibe of Half Moon Bay itself, then there’s the patio at Half Moon Bay Brewery, where dogs share the scene as equal participants. Folks are dog friendly here and very proud of it. 390 Capistrano Rd., Half Moon Bay. hmbbrewingco.com.
12. Best Dog-Friendly Bar
Doc’s Clock – San Francisco 45%
Half Moon Bay Brewery – Half MoonBay 21%
El Rio – San Francisco 15%
Lucky 13 – San Francisco 19%
Doc’s Clock digs dogs. In addition to having a general “canines welcome” policy, this great neighborhood joint in the Mission District has monthly Doggie Happy Hours and hosts regular fund-raisers and adoption events for local animal rescue/shelter groups. View the online events calendar and plan to make the scene with your favorite furry drinking buddy. 2575 Mission Street, San Francisco. docsclock.com.
13. Best Dog-Friendly Coffeehouse
Sit & Stay Café, Pt. Isabel – Albany 39%
Peets – SF Bay Area 30%
Duboce Park Café – San Francisco 19%
Fourbarrel – San Francisco 12%
After a splash in the Bay at Point Isabel and a scrub at Mudpuppy’s, a cup of coffee at Sit & Stay is highly recommended. It’s a treat for everyone, with sandwiches, pastries, and more for the humans plus a pet snack dispenser for the dogs. Then there’s the great big patio with a killer view where dogs can mingle. mudpuppys.com/#!cafe
14. Best Dog-Friendly Winery
Mutt Lynch – Healdsburg 37%
Mountain Winery – Saratoga 24%
Rosenblum Cellars – Alameda 21%
Treasure Island Wines – Treasure Island 18%
Well heck, it’s right there in the name and the motto: “Dreaming of a leash free world.” Such a world seems very close in Healdsburg, where the pooches romp while the wine says “stay” to their humans. Partial proceeds from the sale of Mutt Lynch wines benefit local animal rescue organizations. 602 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg. muttlynchwinery.com.
15. Best Dog-Friendly Bakery
Annabee’s – Pacifica 45%
Sit & Stay Cafe, Point Isabel – Richmond 32%
Paw Patch Pastries – SF (web only) 14%
Barkn Belly Bakery – Morgan Hill (web only) 10%
Annabee’s is dog central at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica. There’s gear for your pets, as well as fresh made treats for dogs including pizza, cookies, cakes, and more. All you people types can bring in food from local restaurants. Annabee’s is in the Pedro Point Shopping Center at Linda Mar Beach. Check the website for directions: annabees.com.
16. Best Pet Superstore
Pet Food Express 46%
PetSmart 24%
PetCo 17%
Pet Club 13%
We’re so happy that our reader’s love Pet Food Express as much as we do! Covering the Bay Area with their super well-stocked stores, encouraging you to “Express your love for your pets,” and supporting local shelters with regular shipments of food and supplies, they certainly deserve the titled of Best Pet Superstore! petfoodexpress.com
17. Best Pet Boutique
Holistic Hound – Berkeley 40%
Pawtrero Bathhouse and Feed Co. – San Francisco 26%
Dogbone Alley – Alameda 18%
Sunset Pet Supply – San Francisco 16%
Knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to help you navigate natural and complementary pet care for many common problems, the staff at Berkeley’s Holistic Hound take good care of customers. Food, treats, supplements, gear, and books (including recipe books!) are all of the highest quality and responsibly sourced, part of what makes Holistic Hound a repeat winner! 1510 Walnut St., Berkeley. holistichound.com.
18. Best Doggie Birthday Present
Massage from Happy Hounds 35%
Paw Patch Pastry 26%
A Paco Collar 24%
SIRIUS® Nose Work Classes 15%
There’s a reason why dogs love to be petted and massaged; they need it for pain relief and stress reduction, just like we do. Recognizing that dogs can’t tell us where it hurts, massage therapist Shelah Barr has studied to the natural movements of dogs, detecting points of inflammation and pain. Her doggie massages aim to alleviate such problems and promote more comfortable movement. www.happyhoundsmassage.com.
19. Best Locally-Made Dog Stuff
Jeffrey’s Natural Pet Foods – San Francisco 37%
Paco Collars – Berkeley 32%
FYDO dog beds – Berkeley 19%
MaSnax Treats – Sonoma 12%
As a producer and purveyor of locally sourced natural food products for dogs, Jeffrey’s is our voters’ favorite in this hotly contested category. Despite its official name, Jeffrey’s doesn’t just sell food. You’ll find loads of other useful – and just plain fun – items for your furry friends at Jeffrey’s two locations: Dolores Park, 3809 18th St @ Church; North Beach at1841 Powell St @ Greenwich. jeffreysnaturalpetfood.com
20. Best Veterinary Clinic
Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital – Berkeley 33%
San Francisco Vet Specialists – San Francisco 25%
Mission Pet Hospital – San Francisco 23%
Linda Mar Veterinary Clinic – Pacifica 18%
When your dog needs emergency attention, Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital is open 24 hours to help; after hours care is how many people find them. As a full-service, small veterinary hospital, it offers dental care, boarding, and specialists who provide cutting-edge veterinary medicine. Berkeley Dog & Cat has been treating the Bay Area’s pets for over 100 years and continues to offer a high standard of care that has earned the loyalty of Bay Woof readers. 2126 Haste St, Berkeley. berkeleydogandcat.com.
21. Best Veterinarian
Dr. Ilana Strubel, DVM; Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital – Pacifica 35%
Dr. Jenny Taylor, Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center – Oakland 23%
Dr. Adam Piaseczny, Healthy Pets Veterinary Hospital – San Francisco 23%
Dr. Molly Rice; Coastal Holistic Complementary Veterinary Services – Pacifica 18%
Our voters agree that Dr. Ilana Strubel is a pillar of the local veterinarian community – and for good reason. When she’s not working as a sought-after animal doctor at Linda Mar Veterinary Clinic in Pacifica, she contributes a great deal of time and passion to local animal causes. She is founder of VetSOS, which provides veterinary services to the pets of homeless people in San Francisco, and has served on the boards of Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS), San Francisco Aid for Animals, and Rocket Dog Rescue. 985 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica. lindamarvet.com.
22. Best Canine Chiropractor
Lisa Koenig, DC; Holistic Veterinary Care – Oakland 30%
Margret Holiday, DC; Creature Comforts – Oakland 29%
Gary Richter, MS, DVM; Holistic Veterinary
Care – Oakland 21%
Wendy Wallace, DC; Four Seasons Animal
Hospital – Lafayette 20%
Based in Piedmont, Lisa Koenig is trained in both chiropractic and kinesiology. She works with the Holistic Veterinary Care group in Oakland to provide a full spectrum of care to animals, including physical therapy and rehabilitation after accidents and for degenerative diseases, including arthritis. We humans should be so lucky. 4382 Piedmont, Oakland. holisticvetcare.com.
23. Best Canine Massage Therapist
Deborah Ellen, Spirited Paws Canine Massage – Berkeley 28%
Heather Sanders, Wags n Wellness – SF Bay Area 27%
Shelah Barr, Happy Hound Massage – San Francisco 26%
Cathy Chen-Rennie, The Rex Center – Pacifica 18%
We all know how good a massage can feel – our dogs feel the same way! And massage can improve range of motion, provide relief from chronic pain and discomfort, improve circulation, and provode great relief for older animals. Bay Woof readers recommend the caring hands of Deborah Ellen! spiritedpaws.net.
24. Best Alternative Medicine Provider
Jenny Taylor, DVM; Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center – Oakland 29%
Gary Richter, MS, DVM; Holistic Veterinary Care – Oakland 27%
Molly Rice, DVM, Coastal Holistic Complementary Veterinary Services – Pacifica 26%
Rachael Feigenbaum, DVM; Lotus Veterinary House Calls 19%
Once again, Bay Woof readers have handed the first place BOTB award in this category to Dr. Jenny Taylor and Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center in Oakland. In addition to offering both mainstream and holistic healing modalities for sick and injured pets, Dr. Taylor and her staff provide true TLC to animal patients and their humans. Wouldn’t it be great if our veterinarians were kind friends as well as skilled practitioners? At Creature Comfort, readers say, they are. 2501 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. www.creaturecomfort.com.
25. Best Canine Rehab Facility
The Canine Rehabilitation Center (Muller Veterinary Hospital) –
Walnut Creek 36%
The Rex Center – Pacifica 26%
The Sams Clinic – Mill Valley 20%
Scout’s House – Menlo Park 18%
Back for another win this year, The Canine Rehabilitation Center offers a full range of services for recuperating dogs, from an underwater treadmill for hydrotherapy to laser treatments to a Biomagnetics Therapy System, and more. Certified vet techs can help get your pooch into shape after surgery or injury, help deal with chronic problems, or just give your pup a health tune-up. Post-surgical patients must be referred by a licensed veterinarian. 2735 North Main St., Walnut Creek. thek9rehabcenter.com
26. Best Dog Groomer
Bow Wow Meow – San Francisco 37%
All About the DOGue – Emeryville 28%
Bernie’s Grooming – San Francisco 19%
Kate’s Cat & Dog Salon – San Francisco 17%
Bow Wow Meow is a full-service groomer, offering training classes in addition to bathing, clipping, teeth cleaning, and styling. Daaahling, it’s more important to feel good than to look good… Well maybe, but all reports indicate that your pet is going to leave Bow Wow Meow looking sensational. 2150 Polk Street, San Francisco. www.bowwowmeow.net.
27. Best Dog Wash (self-serve)
Pet Food Express, various locations – SF Bay Area 43%
Paws & Claws – Oakland 21%
K-9 Scrub Club – San Francisco 18%
Pawtrero – San Francisco 17%
Pet Food Express has self-service pet washes at 33 of their Bay Area locations where you can wash your dog and not worry about the mess, the height of the tub, or having everything handy. The Buy-Three-Get-the-Fourth Free program is a great deal – as many of our voters can attest! petfoodexpress.com.
28. Best Dog Walker
Molly Kenefik, Doggy Lama – Oakland 36%
Courtney Gunter-Durbin, The Whole Pet – San Francisco 29%
Glenn McTaggart, The Love of Dogs – CITY 21%
Walt Bell, Black Nose Trading Co. – San Francisco 14%
For the third year running, Molly Kenefick of Doggy Lama Pet Care in Oakland has been named Best Dog Walker by Bay Woof readers. Maybe it’s because she and her experienced team offer group “adventure hikes” for dogs, making good use of the East Bay’s amazing dog-friendly trails and beaches – and you get to watch the fun, or at least check in, via a Flckr photostream at www.flickr.com/photos/doggylama. Your pups will romp exuberantly with others of their kind and come home feeling calm and content… all ready to relish your company. www.doggylamapetcare.com
29. Best Dog Sitter
Courtney Gunter-Durbin, The Whole Pet – San Francisco 37%
Erin Graves, All About the DOGue – East Bay 26%
Maureen Goldlist, All Fur Love Pet Care – East Bay 21%
Bill Brobst, Go Lucky Paws – South Bay 16%
Courtney Gunter-Durbin of San Francisco has garnered loads of votes every year in both the Dog Sitter and Dog Walker categories, winning as Best Sitter in both 2009 and 2010. This year she’s back on top, having edged out some heavy competition. The mission of her business, The Whole Pet, is to “help pets and their people find balance so they can work together and live harmoniously.” Sounds great, doesn’t it? Courtney and her team can help get you there by providing skilled dog training, boarding, and walking services. And if yours is an equal opportunity menagerie, they can also take care of your cats. thewholepet.net
30. Best Doggie Daycare
Muttley Crew – San Francisco 30%
Wag Hotels – San Francisco 28%
MetroDog – Richmond 20%
Pride and Pedigree – Oakland 23%
Offering puppy play groups and adult doggy day care, The Muttley Crew encourages every dog in its care to “put your best paw forward.” Voters gave them 1st place for another year of excellence in providing cherished pets with a safe, fun, and happy home away from home. www.muttleycrewsf.com. 495 Carolina St., San Francisco
31. Best Overnight Boarder
Wag Hotel – San Francisco 36%
Metro Dog – Richmond 24%
The Whole Pet – San Francisco 21%
High Tail Hotel – San Francisco 20%
There is nothing worse than having to leave your dog behind when you travel. You can’t explain why, and life is suddenly uncertain for your pal who prefers to have everything in its place. The Wag Hotel works hard to provide a comforting environment where there’s plenty of activity your dog will love. With luck, you’ll hardly be missed! Wag also offers grooming, training, and day care. 25 14th St., San Francisco. waghotels.com
32. Best Training Class
SIRIUS® Puppy and Dog Training – SF Bay Area 29%
Marin Humane Society – Marin 27%
Bravo!Pup – East Bay 23%
ARF U at Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation – Walnut Creek 21%
As all local dog lovers know, the Bay Area is home to countless great dog trainers and behaviorists. Many were mentioned on BOTB ballots this year, but in the end the grand prize went once again to Sirius. Launched by Ian Dunbar 25 years ago, this venerable training organization teaches and promotes positive methods that turn clueless and fearful and aggressive dogs into well-balanced family pets. Many Sirius personnel specialize in the training of puppies, in keeping with Dunbar’s early socialization manifesto. For a list of class offerings and a great library of training articles and videos, dubbed Dog Star Daily, visit siriuspup.com
33. Best Private Trainer
Sandra Mannion – SF Bay Area 31%
Courtney Gunter Durbin – The Whole Pet 27%
Kelley Filson – DogEvolve 22%
Gail Chadbourne – Bark Busters 20%
In the SF Bay Area, where dog trainers and caretakers number the hundreds (or is it thousands?), making the top four in this highly sought after category takes plenty of determination and a lot of loyal followers. Once again, Sandra Mannion, CPDT rises to the top! Need help with that out-of-hand Pomeranian? Sandra can help. sandramannion.com
34. Best Dog Photographer
Lori Cheung – thepetphotographer.com 38%
Mark Rogers – markrogersphotography.com 25%
Jesse Freidin – jessefreidin.com 19%
Chickpea Photography – chickpeaphotographystudio.com 18%
Award-winning photographer Lori Cheung is famous for her ability to instill joy for her work in the images she captures. As if that’s not enough, she started an organization called Pets for World Peace “create inspiring art and educational media to raise awareness and funds for non-profit organizations.” Her charitable work for PAWS, SF/SPCA, and many other animal organizations, along with the quality of her work, make her a favorite of Bay Woof readers. thepetphotographer.com
35. Best Pet Artist
Kathleen Hill – kathleenhill.com 31%
Stephanie Lam – studiopet.com 30%
Delaine Hackney – delainemosaic 20%
Andrew Carson – carsonthird.com 19%
Kathleen Keil Hill’s portraits combine her love of painting with her love of animals. Her vision and talent capture each animal’s unique personality and posture in a wonderfully vibrant painting. The love shines through! kathleenhill.com
36. Best Dog-Friendly Lodgings
Cypress Inn – Carmel 38%
Russian River Getaways – Sonoma County 24%
Inn at Schoolhouse Creek – Mendocino 19%
Sheep Dung Estates – Boonville 18%
This gorgeous boutique hotel believes everyone deserves a vacation. Not only does the inn accept dogs, it welcomes them to join you throughout the hotel, in the cozy living room for afternoon tea, and in the charming courtyard for breakfast or evening appetizers. The Cypress Inn website even includes a doggie concierge to show you around the pet-centered attractions of Carmel. 7th Ave., Carmel. cypress-inn.com.
37. Best Day Trip with Dog
Half Moon Bay 34%
Carmel 29%
Point Reyes 28%
Monterey 10%
Without a doubt, Half Moon Bay is a great get-away for you and your pooch. Did BOTB voters make it #1 due to the article in our April 2011 issue that touted its many fur-friendly attractions? We’ll never know, but if you want to join the dog-friendly fun in this coastside burg, check out some shopping, dining, sightseeing, and lodging options at baywoof.com/article.php?id=77.
38. Best Dog-Friendly Campground
Mount Madonna County Park – Santa Clara 37%
Samuel P Taylor State Park – Lagunitas 33%
Anthony Chabot Campground – Castro Valley 26%
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park – Big Sur 4%
Dogs are welcome to camp with you at this redwood-forested park. Majestic trees, breathtaking views, and trails that offer a range of difficulty and are open to dogs, make Mt. Madonna County Park a lovely destination for a day trip or camping expedition. parkhere.org
39. Best Rescue Group
Muttville Senior Dog Rescue 43%
BADRAP Pitbull Rescue 24%
Furry Friends Rescue 17%
Rocket Dog Rescue 15%
There are many excellent organizations in the Bay Area dedicated to saving the lives of animals whose futures would otherwise be grim. To our voters, the work of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue goes above and beyond the howl of duty. The group’s countless events reaching diverse communities brought them into the top four in many categories this year. In just five years, the dedicated efforts of founder Sherri Franklin and her team of volunteers have saved thousands of canine lives. Way to go, Muttville – BW readers love you! muttville.org
40. Best Humane Organization
San Francisco Animal Care & Control 30%
Berkeley East Bay Humane Society 25%
East Bay SPCA 23%
Humane Society Silicon Valley 21%
One of the hardest working municipal departments in the city of San Francisco, the One of the hardest working city departments in San Francisco, Animal Care and Control is responsible for “enforcement of all state and local Animal Control and Welfare laws,” aka Animal Cops! Supported by the tireless efforts of its auxiliary organization, the Friends of Animal Care and Control, SFACC saved countless animals from neglect and abuse in 2011, earning them this coveted award from Bay Woof readers. helpacc.org.
41. Best Canine Cause
Give A Dog A Bone – Support for long-term shelter dogs 41%
Muttville – Senior Dog Rescue 25%
BADRAP – Pit Bull Rescue 23%
VetSOS – Veterinary care for the companion animals of homeless San Franciscans 12%
In 1999, Corinne Dowling’s big heart drove her to create a program for long-term shelter dogs housed at San Francisco Animal Care & Control that would “relieve the isolation, boredom, stress, and suffering of dogs in enforced custody and medical isolation.” You can’t get much more compassionate than that. Many of GADAB’s canine clients never make it out of the shelter, which makes the organization’s work that much more important and admirable. gadab.org
42. Best Fundraising Event
Moolah for Mutts – Muttville 33%
Pet Pride Day – SF ACC 29%
Growl, Meow & Wine – EBSPCA 24%
Petchitecture – PAWS 14%
Muttville held this “enchanted evening” at San Francisco’s historic Swedish American Hall last year, raising funds for their excellent work in giving senior dogs a good shot at finding happy homes. Picking up their second award this year, Muttville continues to lead the pack in improving the lives of local pooches. muttville.org
43. Best Dog Blog
Dog Star Daily – dogstardaily.com/blogs 31%
Spoiled Bitch – spoiledbitch.net 27%
Grouchy Puppy – grouchypuppy.com 22%
The Daily Puglet – dailypuglet.com 21%
The Dog Star Daily from Sirius Puppy and Dog Training is well named. It’s a true newspaper, featuring up-to-the-minute stories and insightful reporting. Start your morning with a cup of coffee and the Dog Star Daily, steeping yourself in the fascinating world of canines. It’s a lot less stressful than the NYTimes.
44. Best Dog Social Networking Site
Dogster – dogster.com 41%
DogTime – dogtime.com 29%
East Bay SPCA’s Facebook Page – facebook.com/EBSPCA 17%
Dog Star Daily – dogstardaily.com 13%
Dog news, breed info, adoptable cuties, advice and support for a dog-centric community – you’ll find all of this and more on the Facebook of the canine world. And if your dog has more friends than you do, don’t worry! Dogster is all about letting our furry best friends lead the way.
45. Best Online Dog Boutique
Nutt Butt Bakery – nuttbuttbakery.com 30%
K9 Scrub Club – k9scrubclub.com 27%
Mijo and Bambi – mijoandbambi.com 23%
P.L.A.Y. – petplay.com 20%
Nutt Butt Bakery isn’t really a bakery, but a darned cute website with designer duds for dogs. You’ll be tempted by the sweaters and hoodies, but don’t miss other possible presents for the pooch, including treats, dog-centric bowls that provide easy access to food and water, and designer poop bags.
46. Best Online Vet Advice
Pet MD – petmd.com 43%
“Ask Dr Dog” column – baywoof.com 37%
Dogged Health – doggedhealth.com 13%
Dr. Karen Becker – healthypets.mercola.com 7%
Considering its A to Z articles about various dog diseases and a handy symptom checker, it’s no wonder our readers are enthusiastic about PetMD. Other helpful sections of the site include News, where you can keep abreast of pet product recalls, and Forums, where you can post about issues of concern and get feedback from other site users. PetMD is comprehensive, easy to navigate, and visually engaging. All good!
47. Best Online Adoption site
Pet Finder – petfinder.com 47%
Muttville – muttville.org 29%
BADRAP – badrap.org 14%
Northern California Pet Adoptions – norcalpetadoptions.com 11%
The pet adoption equivalent of a major online dating site, Petfinder is a great place to start looking for a new pet (not just dogs & cats, but guinea pigs, rabbits, pigs, and more). Search by location, breed, and/or rescue group and you’ll soon find a new sweetheart.
48. Best Overall Website for Dog Lovers
Dogtime – dogtime.com 41%
Dogster – dogster.com 26%
Dog Star Daily – dogstardaily.com 18%
Bay Area Canine Network – dogs.bayequest.info 16%
There are so many useful, valuable, and interesting sites for dog lovers out there, but our voters say Dogtime does it best, with news, resources for finding the right dog, training, and lovely personal stories. Great for newbies as well as experienced dog parents, as the site offers basic information along with real expertise.
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Main article photo by: mattmignanelli.com
