PENINSULA HUMANE SOCIETY & SPCA

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA in Burlingame, CA

The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA) is a private non-profit organization dedicated to fostering healthy relationships between humans and animals. Each year, we welcome thousands of animals into our care, offering them comfort, nutrition, veterinary services, and compassionate handling. We serve lost, stray, unwanted, and injured domestic and wild animals within our community. As a committed provider of sanctuary for all animals in need, we operate under contracts with all cities in San Mateo County, which means we cannot control the number of animals that arrive at our facility. Last year, we took in over 8,500 dogs, cats, and other pets, in addition to thousands of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. We accept all animals, often giving a second chance to those most at risk—animals that may be turned away by other agencies focused solely on adopting out highly adoptable pets. Since 2003, we have achieved a remarkable record, successfully adopting out 100% of healthy dogs and cats. Our definition of "healthy" aligns with the state's criteria, which includes dogs and cats without medical or behavioral issues, fully weaned and socialized. Unfortunately, we are unable to save every treatable animal, and in some cases, when resources are exhausted, we must provide a humane end for those suffering. However, we ensure that all healthy animals find new homes, with staff, volunteers, and supporters taking pride in the care of 100 to 150 treatable animals each month. Our educational programs, outreach clinics, and partnerships with other organizations extend our reach to animals that may never enter our shelter. We host a monthly support group for individuals mourning the loss of a pet, assist residents in finding pet-friendly housing, offer various obedience classes, operate a speakers bureau, and respond to numerous cruelty reports. PHS/SPCA is more than just an animal shelter; it is a hub of dedicated professionals and volunteers who are passionate about serving both animals and the diverse communities of San Mateo County. Historically, PHS/SPCA has faced significant challenges, particularly with animal overpopulation. In the mid-1970s, we took in 45,000 dogs and cats each year. Through extensive education efforts, including outreach to schoolchildren about the importance of spaying and neutering, we have significantly reduced this number to around 10,000 dogs and cats annually in recent years. Our mobile spay/neuter program, which provides free surgeries in targeted neighborhoods, further supports this mission. We also address animal cruelty through our Humane Investigations Department, which intervenes in cases of mistreatment and collaborates with the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Many animals that come to us require specialized medical care or behavioral assistance before they can be adopted. Our Hope Program, funded by donations, enables us to provide this essential care. To enhance our visibility and ensure that donations directly benefit animals, we employ various outreach strategies. These include staff columns in local publications, an active mobile adoption program, obedience classes, school visits, summer camps, a speakers bureau, and an award-winning public service announcement broadcasted on major networks. For over 50 years, PHS/SPCA has been a progressive leader in animal welfare. Our organization began with a small group of advocates who sought to improve the deplorable conditions at local pounds, leading to our first contract with San Mateo County for animal control services. We pioneered several initiatives, including California’s first on-site spay/neuter clinic and wildlife rehabilitation center, and we introduced "get acquainted" rooms for potential adopters. Throughout the decades, we have continued to innovate, establishing a mobile adoption program in the 1980s, providing sheltering services for pets of domestic abuse victims in the early 1990s, and most recently, launching a pet-assisted therapy program and a dedicated department for addressing animal cruelty.