What You Can Do
Pets Unlimited: Doing something good for pets
by Lynette Majer

It’s no secret that all of us here at Northside San Francisco love our animals. If you’re an animal lover, too, you’re probably familiar with the corner building on Fillmore and Washington, its windows adorned with adorable photos and short bios of the animals inside just waiting to go home with you. One day, on a lark, about a year after adopting felines Blossom and Greta, I ventured in – just for a look, mind you – and became totally smitten by a white fluff ball named Walden with amber eyes and a brown nose, who continues to charm everyone and everydog who crosses his path.

Pets Unlimited is an incredible place – its 24-hour state-of-the-art emergency medical facility (that once saved the life of my precious Annie) is staffed with 14 full-time veterinarians, including specialists in orthopedic surgery and dentistry. They are equipped to perform advanced procedures such as ultrasound, endoscopy, and digital radiology imaging, and there is even a special spa-like area dedicated to holistic treatment by licensed acupuncturists using traditional Chinese herbs and other nutritional therapies.
The Adoption Center houses dogs and cats for as long as it takes to find their forever homes. Currently, it’s kitten season, and there are lots of cuddly cuties just waiting to steal your heart, but there are also plenty of adult cats as well. Everyone loves a kitten, but these mellowed, mature cats can be faithful companions as well. Two years ago, I was drawn to Alfred, a gangly black male with a torn right ear, but the adoption counselors didn’t think he’d be a good match with younger Greta. Alfred is still there … (statistically, black cats have the longest stay in shelters), and through the course of writing this story, I’ve decided to sponsor him.

In addition to volunteering, sponsoring is one of the many ways to help the animals if you’re unable to share your home with one right now. You can visit those available for sponsoring either in person or online (www.petsunlimited.org), where you can also find additional information on how to help defray the costs involved to rescue and provide care for each shelter dog and cat.

One of the easiest ways to help the animals is to contribute to the shelter’s Wish List. A complete list is available online, but includes canned tuna (that’s easy enough to pick up the next time you shop!), garlic-free baby food, cat scratching posts, and all kinds of dog toys and chewies. If you already have a pet, how about buying two of each item (one for Pets Unlimited) on your personal list the next time you visit your local pet supply store?
Or, clean out your closets and take your castoffs to the Community Thrift Store, tell them you are donating on behalf of Pets Unlimited and they’ll receive 50 percent of the proceeds.

The Pet Tribute Mural (painted by Bay Area artists Jennifer Ewing and Leo Germano) is a wonderful way to honor a current or former pet and also help the shelter animals. View this colorful, uplifting mural on the staircase to the Adoption Center, and choose a place for your pet’s name.

Finally, consider attending the upcoming benefit concert, Animals in the Arts on Oct. 19. This combination of classical chamber music and grand opera is sure to be a howling good time as Emmy Award-winning conductor George Daugherty leads 30 world-class musicians from San Francisco’s symphony, opera and ballet orchestras, joined by members of the Royal Philharmonic, the London Symphony, the Sinfonia Britannia, and others. All of the internationally renowned opera singers and musical artists are donating their time to Pets Unlimited, and 100 percent of the event proceeds support the shelter and its programs. The concert is followed by an animal-friendly VIP reception at Pets Unlimited where you can expect to meet local celebrity animal lovers, such as Amy Tan.

More fun at the reception will include a raffle with packages such as an adventure weekend from Pets Camp with a pet photo session; two nights at the Ritz Carlton with two premium opera tickets; and a guided private yacht tour of the bay with lunch at the Tiburon Yacht Club, and much more.

Winners of the 2008 Unlimited Love Awards will also be announced at the reception, and you can participate regardless of whether you attend. Show your appreciation for your “pet” animal heroes by nominating or voting online for your favorite dog or cat that has shown exceptional unconditional love, and for a fellow human whose commitment to animals is above and beyond the call. Animal winners receive a year’s supply of food and the human winner, a $200 gift certificate from Bloomingdale’s, the award sponsor.

As a no-kill shelter, Pets Unlimited is dedicated to rescuing as many injured and neglected animals as possible, providing needed medical care, and a comfortable environment with proper nutrition for as long as it takes for them to find the right home. But they need your help. Do something good for animals by helping Pets Unlimited continue its mission to help the many helpless animals that don’t have a voice of their own.

Animals in the Arts: Herbst Theatre and Green Room, 401 Van Ness Avenue (at McAllister); Oct. 19; tickets $35-$250 (15 percent child discount) at 415-392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com

Pets Unlimited: 2343 Fillmore Street (at Washington), 415-568-3058, www.petsunlimited.org.