San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Records, 1868-2016
Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Abstract:
- Log books, ledgers, subject files, reports, documents, ephemera, audiovisual recordings, and photographic materials of the San Francisco SPCA, documenting its history, operations, programs, and services from its founding through the turn of the millennium.
- Extent:
- 28 Linear Feet (approximately 28 linear feet)
- Language:
- Collection materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SFH 75), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Log books, ledgers, subject files, reports, documents, ephemera, audiovisual recordings, posters, and photographic materials of the San Francisco SPCA, documenting its history, operations, programs, and services from its founding through the turn of the millennium. Early documents consist of officers' patrol logs and appointments, early City Pound records, photographs, some financial and membership records, and miscellaneous files of Secretary Matthew McCurrie. Beginning in the mid-20th century and into the 1990s and 2000s, materials related to programs and events predominate, along with coverage of capital projects.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Founded in 1868, the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA) is one of the oldest welfare agencies in the City and one of the oldest humane societies in the nation.
As both an advocacy and a direct service organization, it works for the protection and humane treatment of animals via shelter, adoption, medical care, foster care, spay and neutering, and other services and programs.
In accordance with the history of the times, earlier years of the Society's work focused on horses (then a major source of work and transportation) and livestock, with dogs and cats as pets becoming more prominent beginning in the mid-20th century. The Society has always advocated for the protection of all animals, both wild and domestic.
The Society is still active today, with buildings at and expanded from its original location at 16th and Alabama Streets.
- Acquisition information:
- Donated by the San Francisco SPCA in 2009. Accession 2009-123.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is organized into four series: Series 1: Administration; Series 2: Programs and Services; Series 3: Promotion; and Series 4: Photographs.
- Physical location:
- Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items. The San Francisco SPCA maintains copyright to all items in the collection, to the extent that it owns or licenses those rights. Some publications and/or photographs may have additional copyright holders.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SFH 75), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567