Scope and content:

Photographs chiefly taken for use in SF SPCA publications, exhibits, and promotional materials, as well as for administrative purposes. Includes prints (8 x10, 5 x7, and 35 mm prints, and other sizes), proof sheets, slides, and negatives. Mostly black-and-white, with a few color.

SF SPCA building construction and vehicles; rescue, treatment, and care of animals; and shots of various types of animals, alone, together, and with human companions, are well-represented. Horses, cats, and dogs are animals most frequently pictured in the collection. Specific SF SPCA programs and events--particularly the Hearing Dog Program and Poochie Parade--are represented to a lesser but still significant extent. Another highlight of this series is an album of photographs of the Work Horse Parade of 1909.

Most of the animal subject files are from the mid-late 20th century. Older photographs, going back to the 19th and early 20th century, are clustered in the Ambulances and vehicles, Buildings, Cruelty, and Horses files.

Arrangement:

Photographs were originally received in a partially-organized state: some were in labeled folders, and some were loose. Some folders were marked "Administration," "Program," or "Promotion/Events," with subheadings specifying subject, program, or event. "Administration" often had the subheading "Historical misc." Other folders were labeled with different handwriting, inks, or types of folder, indicating that they may have been organized later or by a different department.

For consistency, the following system of arrangement has been supplied: Where images have been identified (via original order, visual evidence, and/or received notation) as pertaining to a particular SF SPCA program, promotional campaign, or event, they are filed under a heading by that name; otherwise, images are arranged according to animal or general subject. Formats are interfiled.

Physical description:

4 cartons, 1 flat box, 1 manuscript box (5 linear feet)

Contents

Access and use