New SF/ACC Shelter Programs: WOOF, Ambass-a-Dogs and Special Forces

Rebecca Katz, director of San Francisco Animal Care and Control shared the following news with City Dogs | Bernie's Grooming Today.

New Dog Programs at SF Animal Care and Control in Addition to WOOF

The kennel sign says “Sheba is at camp.” A new pilot
program is underway at San Francisco Animal Care and Control that will send
dogs to Pet Camp, a board and care facility in San Francisco, where they
might enjoy more opportunities for socialization and prepare them for their
forever homes.   Sheba will have regular visits from an SF/ACC trainer who
will work with her one-on-one to keep up her leash manners. The playtimes
at Pet Camp are monitored by “camp counselors” (employees) and will give
Sheba the social stimulation and enrichment that only playing with other
dogs can provide. Sheba was chosen as the first dog – or rather,
Ambass-a-Dog – for the program because she has been at the shelter a few

months, and is very friendly with other dogs and people.

 

The shelter is seeking innovative ways to find homes for the ever
increasing number of dogs coming into their care.  With the economic
downturn, the shelter has experienced an average increase of 42 dogs per
month which poses a significant challenge for the agency as well as for
their rescue partners.  Pet Camp will give adoptable dogs that have
experienced protracted stays at the shelter some extra training and
socialization with people and other dogs. Giving the dogs a change of scene
keeps them happy while they’re waiting for their new homes and Pet Camp
will help promote these adoptable camper dogs by listing them on their
website and through social media.

Sheba came into the shelter with a litter of puppies (all have been
adopted) and was a shy mom. She is a different dog after experienced
Special Forces volunteers— another new SF/ACC program—worked with her for
weeks on learning commands and leash manners. If Sheba is not adopted
directly from Pet Camp after a two-week respite, she will return to the
shelter where SF/ACC trainers and volunteers will continue to give her

attention and promote her adoption.

 

SF/ACC is pulling out all the stops to save as many lives as possible by
implementing and evaluating a variety of new programs including the much
publicized WOOF – see:
http://www.sgvtribune.com/opinions/ci_20931219/loretta-keller-pairing-panhandlers-pooches
That project will pair dogs needing extra time and attention with
pre-screened individuals living in supportive housing for whom fostering an
animal in need may help them reintegrate with society and restore their
dignity.  SF/ACC hopes that these efforts will help animals find new,
loving homes and that the human-animal bond will reveal the resilience of
all two-legged, four-legged, feathered and finned species.