Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (San Mateo, California 94401), a private non-profit organization guided by the humane ethic, builds healthy relationships between people and animals.
Each year thousands of animals pass through its doors. PHS/SPCA provides a warm bed, nutritious food, veterinary care, and a gentle touch for the lost, stray, unwanted, and injured domestic and wild animals in the community.
Since PHS/SPCA is contracted with all cities in San Mateo County, it has no control over the number of animals it receives (15,000 last year). PHS/SPCA cannot selectively choose which animals to accept or limit services to only these animals with a good chance of being adopted. PHS/SPCA accepts all animals, and often provides a second chance to the most needy animals…animals who would otherwise be turned away at smaller adoption agencies that accept only those animals deemed highly adoptable. The shelter’s record is outstanding. Since 2003, PHS/SPCA has adopted out 100% of healthy (physically and behaviorally) dogs and cats. In addition, PHS/SPCA uses resources to make well, then adopt, between 100-120 treatable animals each month. Sadly, in some cases (underage animals who cannot survive in a shelter environment, animals that have proven to be aggressive or those with injuries beyond the shelter’s means to treat given the fact that it receives close to 25 dogs and cats daily!), all PHS/SPCA can provide is a painless ending when resources have been exhausted.
Educational programs, outreach clinics, and partnerships with other organizations bring services to the many animals who never set paw in the shelter. PHS/SPCA holds a monthly support group for those grieving the loss of a loved companion, assists county residents who face the daunting task of finding pet-friendly rental housing, offers multiple levels of obedience classes, offers a speakers bureau, and investigates hundreds of cruelty calls. PHS/SPCA is much more than a shelter. It’s a place where dedicated professionals and volunteers share their passion, talent, and commitment in service to the animals and people in the diverse communities that make up San Mateo County.
