Collection Guide
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San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Records
SFH 75
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Table of contents
Title: San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Records
Date (inclusive): 1868-2016
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 75
Creator:
San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Physical Description:
28 Linear Feet
(approximately 28 linear feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
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.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
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.
[Identification of item], San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SFH 75), San Francisco History Center,
San Francisco Public Library.
Donated by the San Francisco SPCA in 2009. Accession 2009-123.
Photographs have been transferred to the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection and are available for use during Photo
Desk hours.
Issues of
Our Animals
Volume 8 Number 10 (Jan. 1915) through Volume 103 Number 3 (Fall 2009) and Volume 105 Number 2 (Summer 2011) through Volume
109 Number 5 (Fall 2016) have been transferred to the San Francisco History Center periodicals.
Issues of Our Dumb Animals (Sept. 1925-Dec. 1931, missing Oct. 1925, Feb.-June 1929, and Nov. 1930) have been de-accessioned
and offered to the Boston Public Library. 12/5/13
Accruals of Our Animals may be expected via the Magazines & Newspapers Center, or via future accessions from SF SPCA. Duplicate
loose issues remain filed with SFH 75 for use in exhibits, etc.
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.
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.
The collection is organized into four series: Series 1: Administration; Series 2: Programs and Services; Series 3: Promotion;
and Series 4: Photographs.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Animal welfare -- California -- San Francisco.
Animal shelters -- California -- San Francisco.
Pets -- California -- San Francisco.
San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals