SFGate: S.F. cat adoption center opens inside pet store

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Sunday, August 21, 2011 (SF Chronicle)
S.F. cat adoption center opens inside pet store
Justin Berton, Chronicle Staff Writer

At the Pet Food Express on Market Street Saturday, the harsh realities of
a down-turned economy met the fuzzy truth of cats in need of a home.
San Francisco Animal Care and Control opened it first-ever cat adoption
center located inside a privately owned retail store. The ribbon cutting
turned into a ribbon pouncing by the playful feline afforded the honor.
The new center, which drew an appearance from Mayor Ed Lee and earned an
official proclamation from the city, is a novel attempt to deal with San
Francisco's increasing number of cats put up for adoption, and the
flatlining of the number of people willing to adopt them.
The trouble is a well-documented ripple effect of the recession, said
Animal Care and Control Director Rebecca Katz. From 2008 to 2009, the
first year of the economic funk, the city's pet shelter population jumped
18 percent, a sudden increase of about 425 animals that were considered
"owner surrenders" - folks who couldn't afford the vet bills or even the
pet food.
"We had one woman in our lobby crying as she gave up her cat," Katz said.
"She told her, 'I have to live in my car; it's not fair that you have to.'
"
Even as lost jobs and foreclosures have increased the shelter's pet
numbers, the hard times also have made it less likely people will take on
a new pet, Katz said.
For the first time in recent memory, Katz said, the shelter went two weeks
in August without adopting out a single adult cat.
Mike Murray, director of community relations for Pet Express, said it
could be that potential adopters suffer from "shelter fear" - the
undesirable thought of heading into a city shelter, where desperate stray
dogs and cats bark and screech for attention.
"In times like these, shelters bear the brunt of the load," Murray said.
"It's where they get the surrenders, the strays. It's kind of the final
stop."
The idea of opening an adoption center in the Market Street outlet - the
company's highest-traffic spot in the Bay Area - was an attempt to bring
the animals to the people, Katz said.
On Saturday afternoon, the shiny center was stocked with 12 cats, and
interest was strong.
Customer Yolanda Curtis, a Diamond Heights resident, was shopping for dog
food and gave the center a good look and a quick walkthrough.
"I'm a dog person myself," she said. "But my sister - she could use a
companion. ... Maybe I'll send her here." Adoption Center
Pet Food Express and the San Francisco Animal Care & Control Cat Adoption
Center is at 1975 Market St. The center's hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday through Sunday. This weekend, adoption fees are discounted to $50.
E-mail Justin Berton at jberton@sfchronicle.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2011 SF Chronicle