Services to the Greater Sacramento Community

The Sacramento SPCA takes pride in the many community services we offer to the public. Through these services we reach out to the public, teaching about the care and welfare of animals, and sharing the goals of our organization. If your organization is interested in participating in one of our many Outreach Programs, call (916) 383-7387, ext. 9142 or fill out our Request for Services/Programs Form. We'll be happy to help you!

Here are some programs and services we offer:

Behavior Helpline

We offer assistance with dog and cat behavior topics. Any member of the public is invited to call our helpline, free of charge. Calls will be reviewed and returned within 48 hours, Tuesday through Saturday. Our behavior helpline number is (916) 383-7387, ext. 9148. If you would like to get a head start on addressing your pet's behavior, please click here to visit our Pet Behavior Help section and instructions for filling out a Behavior Helpline Form prior to calling.

In a hurry to get some help? A full list of dog and cat behavior handouts are available on this website and will provide you with a good start in working through your pet's behavioral issues. This information may be enough to resolve those issues. Click here to access our Dog related topics and here to access Cat related topics.

Obedience Classes

We offer on-site obedience classes for dogs four months of age and older. Dogs enrolled in obedience classes must be current on all vaccinations. Our Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) teach the classes, which use only positive reinforcement training methods. Registration for obedience classes is available online through our website. Classes are offered for both beginning and intermediate levels. For more information on our obedience classes or to register online, click here to visit our Training and Classes page.

Humane Education

Our Humane Education Department helps promote our philosophy that lessons of kindness, responsibility and respect for animals and people alike are an important part of ensuring a bright future for our children and the world they will inherit. Unfortunately, pet overpopulation and animal abuse and neglect are at crisis levels in the Sacramento area. This department educates the public on the proper and humane treatment of animals, pet overpopulation and the general goals of the SPCA by making classroom visits, conducting guided tours of the shelter and offering our popular children's day camp, Camp Kindness.

Camp Kindness is a seasonal day camp designed to teach children about the proper care of companion animals and the importance of humane treatment of all animals. Camp Kindness is a fun and educational way for kids to learn about pets and animal-related issues through crafts, guest speakers, demonstrations and hands-on socialization with the SPCA's adoptable animals. For more information on our Humane Education programs or Camp Kindness, call (916)383-7387, ext. 9149 or click here to e-mail Dee Dee Drake. You may also click here to visit the Camp Kindness section of our website.

Information Booths

The SPCA participates in community events by offering educational information booths. These booths help communicate the goals and concerns of the SPCA to members of the community through educational handouts, informational speakers and much much more. For information on how to request a booth for your event call (916)383-7387, ext. 9142 or click here to e-mail Val Masters.

Mobile Adoptions

Our Mobile Adoption unit introduces our adoptable animals to the community. Many of our adoptable pets are featured at mobile adoptions sites throughout the Sacramento area. Frequest mobile adoption sites include Sacramento Kings and Monarchs games, home and garden shows and other venues throughout Sacramento. Mobile Adoption allows our animals to gain exposure to the public and makes knowledgeable volunteers and staff available to answer questions and educate the public about our programs and the other services and benefits we offer. For information on the next mobile adoption event call (916) 383-7387, ext. 9147 or click here to visit our calendar.

Shelter Tours

Would you like a tour of our shelter? Shelter tours are available, by appointment, to scout troops, field trip groups and youth organizations as well as adult groups from 11am to 6pm Tuesday through Friday. Your group will get a guided tour along with lots of information on our many programs and services. The tour will allow you to visit adoptable animal areas, talk with and ask questions of our animal care staff and volunteers, and get a sneak peek into the daily operations of the shelter. Reservations are required and a $2 per person donation is requested with a $20 minimum for groups smaller than 10. Average tours last approximately 45 minutes and are preceded with a brief educational talk. To set up a tour for your group call (916) 383-7387, ext. 9149 or click here to e-mail Dee Dee Drake.

Volunteer Opportunities

We're proud to be Sacramento Magazine's 2005 - 2006 - AND 2007 choice for Best Volunteer Group. Volunteers play a critical role in the daily operation of our shelter's programs and services. There are many volunteer opportunities available and every effort is made to match each volunteer with a job they will enjoy the most. With proper training and guidance, volunteers have the opportunity to involve themselves in many areas of the shelter, from socializing and walking animals, to staffing special events, to helping with shelter maintenance.

Our foster parent volunteers provide very important services for our organization and are always needed. Foster parents provide temporary care for an animal while it recovers from sickness, injury, or just needs a few weeks of socialization, giving many animals a better chance of finding a permanent home. Foster parents are given all training and supplies needed to care for their fosters and are carefully matched with proper candidates.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Sacramento SPCA volunteers must be at least 18 years of age although we do have many youth group activites and community service projects available for those under 18. For more information on how to join our wonderful volunteer group call (916) 383-7387, ext. 9147 or click here to e-mail Lynne Fasone. You may also click here to visit the Volunteer section of our website.