Answering the Call: Supporting Animals Near and Far

Every shelter knows the kind of phone call that changes the day. A wildfire burning a few miles from the building. A storm that brings hundreds of animals through the doors in a matter of days. A resident in a remote corner of the state caring for more dogs than they can manage, with no local agency equipped to help.

This year, those calls came to East Bay SPCA, and each time, we answered. Need doesn’t stop at county lines, state lines, or even oceans, and neither do we.

Being More Than a shelter means meeting the changing needs of animals and people in our community and beyond. Shelters across the country have been taking in more animals than are leaving, and natural disasters, rising costs, and limited resources in rural areas are adding even more pressure. No single organization can meet that moment alone.

That’s why our partners mean so much to us. When one shelter is stretched thin, another can make room. By leaning on each other, we multiply our impact and make sure no community has to face a crisis on its own.

In September, the Lucas Fire threatened communities across Lake County and burned just a few miles from Lake County Animal Care and Control’s facility. With their community in crisis, their team reached out to us.

Jasper, our Animal Relocation & Transfer Specialist, made the six-hour round-trip drive from Oakland to Lake County to bring five dogs into our care: Xena, Sandy, Dalton, Hammy, and Pugsley. Welcoming these dogs gave the Lake County team more space and capacity to focus on their community during an uncertain time.

Our partners at Sacramento SPCA contacted us after connecting with a resident in a remote area of Northern California. The resident was caring for a large number of dogs and urgently looking for help. Because of the region’s location, local animal control didn’t have the resources to step in. Sacramento SPCA wanted to help, but with ongoing construction at their shelter, their own capacity is limited. So, they called us directly, and we were able to open space for them.

We welcomed four puppies, all between 3 and 4 months old: Air, Earth, Fire, and Virgo. All four are now available for adoption.

Our support doesn’t stop at the state line. As El Niño stirs up the Pacific Ocean, Kauai was hit by Hurricanes Lala and Lowell around Labor Day. The storm led to an influx of more than 200 animals in need at Kauai Humane Society. As the Hawaiian Islands are the most remote island chain with the highest population, support from partners on the continent is vital.

When they asked for help, we answered. East Bay SPCA welcomed five dogs from Kauai. Emiliano arrived first and has already been adopted. Niele, Roux, Toby, and Keanu followed a week later and are settling into our care.

Standing ready during challenging times is a core part of how we serve pets and people, and every response like this one strengthens our ability to show up when disaster strikes.

While we’re proud to partner with shelters across California and beyond, our commitment to our local partners is as strong as ever. We work alongside Oakland Animal Services every day, and through our contracts with the cities of San Leandro and Livermore, we care for stray animals brought in by Animal Control Officers and community members.

In 2025, these local partnerships brought 1,476 animals into our care. So far in 2026, we’ve already welcomed 1,658.

Each of these numbers is a pet who needed care, shelter and a path forward. Whether that meant a reunion with their family or a new home.

So far this year, more than 1,600 animals have come into our care through our partners in Oakland, San Leandro and Livermore, plus 14 more from Lake County, Sacramento SPCA and Kauai Humane Society.

Behind every one of these animals is our communtiy. When a partner reaches out, your support is what allows us to say yes: to send our team on the road, to make room in our kennels, and to give every animal the care they need when they arrive. It’s how East Bay SPCA continues to be More Than a Shelter, for our neighbors here at home and for communities far beyond the East Bay.

Thank you for being part of every one of these stories, and for helping us be ready when the next call comes.