Kibbles & Bits
Compiled by Cindy Beckman

SAN FRANCISCIO SPCA
243 Alabama Street at 16th Street
415-554-3000, www.sfspca.org

140th Anniversary Gala: The SF/SPCA is marking 140 amazing years of saving and protecting animals with a black tie event on Wednesday, Mar. 4 at 7 p.m., in the dazzling Julia Morgan Ballroom of the Merchant Exchange Building. The gala will also honor the work of CLAW (Critter Lovers At Work), a volunteer fundraising group that has raised more than $810,000 in the last 20 years for The SF/SPCA Cinderella Fund, which provides medical treatment for the neediest animals at the shelter. For ticket information, contact Laura Gretch at lgretch@sfspca.org or 415-522-3564.

SAN FRANCISCO ZOO
Sloat Boulevard at 47th Avenue
415-753-7080, www.sfzoo.org

Wild Places, Wild Things! The S.F. Zoo’s Conservation Lecture series presents “Return of the Condor to the Central Coast” on Wednesday, Feb. 6. Joe Burnett, senior wildlife biologist with the Ventana Wildlife Society’s California Condor Recovery Program, will share his firsthand experiences from the last 10 years in establishing a flock of over 45 condors in the wild. He’ll also discuss the challenges they still face today. This program is for adults and youth 12 and over.

20th Anniversary Woo at the Zoo: The zoo’s infamous Sex Tour/Woo at the Zoo returns with new animals, new positions, new kinky facts, and the ins and outs and ups and downs of animal sex. Evening “performances” on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Feb. 14 include dinner with beef tenderloin, herbed couscous, sautéed spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins, salad, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. A romantic brunch featuring mimosas, French toast station, scrambled eggs, pastries, chocolate covered strawberries, fresh fruit and a delicious surprise will be served at the noon performances on Sunday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 14. Reservations are required as this sense-ational event sells out each year. $75 ticket includes parking and zoo admission.
  
The Plight of the Urban Bee: Worldwide, bees are facing a massive die-off. On Saturday, Feb. 28, Dr. Eric Mussen, professor of entomology at UC Davis, will discusses Colony Collapse Disorder, the plight of the urban honey bee and a few other native species, and things that may impact bees negatively (and how to avoid them). This program is for adults and youth 12 and over.

MORE NEWS TO BARK ABOUT …

Spay Day USA:  Do it for love. Spay or neuter because as an animal guardian, you love your pets and want to do what’s best for them; as a citizen, you love your community and want to make it a better place for people and animals. You can help end the tragedy of pet overpopulation by being a part of Spay Day USA on Tuesday, Feb. 24: have an animal spayed or neutered, volunteer, or donate. For more information, visit www.hsus.org or contact a local animal shelter.

Vote for Jasmine Blue: Northside San Francisco’s own Jasmine Blue (“Jasmine Blue’s Tails of the Dog Park”) has entered The Humane Society of the United States’ and Humane Society International’s Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest to help raise funds for spaying and neutering services to control pet overpopulation. Visit https://photocontest.humanesociety.org/contest.html?page=viewInd&id=9527&contestId=1 to cast your vote and make a small donation to Jazzy’s sponsored charity! Voting ends at 9 p.m. on March 6.