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Welcome to Shelter Life at the East Bay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.We began as the Oakland SPCA in 1874. Today, the East Bay SPCA includes two animal shelters and three clinics in our community. This is our day.
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Danny Boy
Danny is a nice dog who has been at our shelter for a while, so I thought I'd post some pictures up and a bit about him. He's big and tall (80 pounds) but quite gentle and well mannered. In fact, he has met many young children and has been perfect! He still is young and gets excited so he'll need somebody who can play with him and take him on walks, but when it's time to settle down, he'd just settle quietly by your side with his favorite toy. He seems like a good dog for a first time dog owner, and he is housebroken. It's important to know that he wouldn't do well with cats or other small animals, however. I think it's strange that he's been here for a while and people seem to pass by him, despite how cute he looks with his big eyes and gentle look. Maybe because people think he's too big. He was even in another rescue organization for a while who turned to us for help. Are you the right family for him? Here is a link to his profile on Virtual Pet Adoptions.com : http://www.virtualpetadoptions.com/adoptapet/pet_details.asp?petid=10639       
The True Adventures of Gracie and Shayna
I haven't fostered a shelter dog in quite a while, but as I'm starting to consider adding a dog to my family, I thought that now is as good a time as ever. Tonight I'm going to take home Gracie, a Boxer/Lab mix. I met Gracie a week ago when I pulled her from a local shelter for our adoption program. I had a spot for a new Silver Muzzle Club dog, and I thought Gracie was a perfect fit. In the kennel, I saw a puppyish, squishy boxer face, but when I took her out, the other end was a very different story. Gracie is extremely emaciated, has a thin, brittle coat, her ears look like they have tar inside, and her front teeth have been worn to nubs. However, upon closer inspection, we've realized Gracie probably isn't a senior at all. More likely five or six years old, this dog appears to be the victim of severe neglect. Tuesday Gracie will go to the vet to get spayed, have a couple of calouses removed, and get cleaned up. My goal will be to help her put some weight on and add some shine to her coat. I think with a little TLC, Gracie will return to looking and acting like the young dog she really is. 
Lucca's Year
 A year ago today, Lucca arrived at the East Bay SPCA, and I am told that he didn't make a sound during his intake test. Soon after, Lucca debuted his lovely houndish bay, and he's been in fine voice ever since.
Lucca bays when he is excited. For a shelter dog, nothing is as exciting as getting out of his kennel for a walk, so Lucca starts each outing with a woooo woooooo WOOOOOO. Lucca also bays at cats and squirrels and potential sources of food. When his leash broke and he got loose at our Oakland shelter, he ran down the street and was found baying at the deli counter of a nearby supermarket.
Lucca has also had quiet moments over the past year. He is mostly quiet when he plays with other dogs, and his friendly and adaptable play style helps him fit in with almost any group. Lucca has played with dozens of shelter dogs, helping to exercise them, relieve stress, and teach them valuable social skills. Many of Lucca's playmates have been adopted, while Lucca still waits for a home.
Lucca was quiet when he helped me demonstrate clicker training to some of our volunteers. In fact, he was the perfect dog to show how with a clicker and some treats, you can turn a barking, distracted dog into a quiet, focused dog in just a few moments.
Lucca is quiet when he's working with his trainer, and has learned many things over the past year. He can sit, lie down, and shake. He's got a rock solid stay. He can walk by a tempting treat without touching it, or find a treat that's been carefully hidden.
 Lucca was very quiet when I took him on a field trip one afternoon. He rode in the car like a pro, he made an excellent hiking buddy, and he was a perfect gentleman when we stopped at a coffee shop afterwards.
I don't know what the next year will bring for Lucca, but I have to believe that his adoption day is coming soon. Until that day, we will continue to take very good care of him. Lucca has healthful food, a warm bed, and veterinary care as needed. He gets toys, attention, and play time with other dogs. Volunteers take him for walks, and his trainer keeps his mind occupied. But at the end of the day, staff and volunteers go home, while Lucca and the other dogs stay at the shelter, waiting
Lucca's a good dog, and it's time for him to go home.
May 27 - UPDATE: Eight days after this blog was posted, Lucca went home on a trial adoption and joined a herd of goats, horses, parrots, and even some cats! Today his new family came in and finalized his adoption, just over a year after he was first surrendered. We hope to add Lucca's story to our happy endings page sometime soon!
Bay Area is #1 Humane Community!
According to an index that the Humane Society of the United States has compiled, our beloved Bay Area rates #1 in the nation for its compassion for animals. Check out the website www.humaneindex.org to see how this was determined and how other metropolitan areas stack up to us. Let's keep up the good work and keep spreading the word about living by a more humane ethic!
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Oakland Adoption Center
510.569.0702
Oakland Vet Clinic
510.569.1606
Oakland Spay/Neuter Center
510.639.7387
Tri-Valley Adoption Center
925.479.9670
Tri-Valley Spay/Neuter Center in Dublin
925.479.9674
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