"Goal 2007"

In 1997, the Board of Directors of the East Bay SPCA bravely approved "Goal 2007", an innovative commitment to help find homes for every adoptable animal in our community through coordinated efforts:

• Expanded shelter space and improved animal behavior services to help ensure every adoptable dog and cat gets the support he or she needs to find a loving home.
• Accessible, affordable, high quality spay and neuter services.
• Educating about humane values, responsible pet ownership and pet care.

At the time, this seemed an ambitious goal. Shelters all across Alameda County were regularly putting animals to sleep that were otherwise adoptable, in order to make room for the daily influx of homeless animals.

To achieve Goal 2007, we:

• Launched an aggressive spay and neuter program in 1997, opening the Oakland SPCA Spay and Neuter Surgery Center.
• Began working in collaboration with the other shelters and with rescue groups to find more ways to find loving homes for animals in our care.
• Built a second shelter facility in Dublin, California that opened in 2001 to serve the Tri-Valley region.
• Partnered with Pet Food Express to create www.virtualpetadoptions.com, and contributed funds to assist other county groups in getting their adoptable animals online.
• Built the Tri-Valley SPCA Spay and Neuter Surgery Center, which opened in early 2004.

Our efforts have made a huge difference. There has been nearly a 50% decline of the number of animals euthanized in Alameda County since 1997. With "Goal 2007" well in sight, our Board of Directors began discussing the strategic plan to propel us into the next ten years.

2007 and Beyond

• First and foremost, we are committed to completing the work of "Goal 2007."

• Because contemporary life will continue to create situations that force individuals and families to part with their companion animals, finding good and loving homes for these animals will continue to be a critical part of our mission.

• We envision a community where people and animals enrich each other’s lives, and human relationships with companion animals bring us to a deeper understanding and appreciation for all of creation and of ourselves.

• We will work to be our community’s resource for companion animals, providing services related to the health, care, and well being of companion animals.

• We are will be devoted to the rehabilitation of dogs and cats with treatable medical problems and solvable behavior issues--animals that have been previously deemed not adoptable.

• We will offer programs to community members who cannot provide permanent homes to a companion animal, but who nevertheless will benefit from a relationship with animals.

• We will create a community of informed, responsible pet owners by establishing community centers that offer an attractive meeting place for pet owners and offering education on the responsibilities of pet ownership.

• By the end of the year 2010, the East Bay SPCA will be a community center for "all things animal."