ABOUT US

FoBACS is a volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of animals in Berkeley’s municipal shelter.

Who We Are

Friends of Berkeley Animal Care Services (FoBACS) is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) (EIN: 45-3035418) nonprofit that supports Berkeley Animal Care Services (BACS), the municipal, open-admission animal shelter serving Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Piedmont.

Smiling woman petting a happy mixed-breed dog wearing a collar

Our Mission

We work to improve the daily lives and long-term outcomes of animals in the shelter’s care by funding medical treatment, enrichment and training programs, humane education, adoption support, and special projects.

We help ensure every animal receives compassionate care, dignity, and a real chance at a loving home.

Black-and-white cat standing beside a plate of wet food near a window

About the Shelter

BACS is much more than just another city shelter.

In addition to a caring, committed, and knowledgeable staff, hundreds of volunteers collectively give an average of 426 hours of their time each week, supporting groundbreaking programs and community services.

This cooperation, enthusiasm, and compassion point to why BACS has one of the highest live release rates for a municipal facility in the nation.

In April 2009, BACS was the recipient of the prestigious Maddie’s Fund Lifesaving Award, which recognized the shelter’s work in finding homes for all healthy and treatable shelter pets.

Modern yellow and white multi-story building with large windows under a blue sky

Meet Our Board

Man wearing sunglasses posing outdoors with a large gray dog in a blue harness

Dave started his animal sheltering work in 2003 while living in DC when he began volunteering at the Washington Animal Rescue League. After moving to Montreal (where he worked at the Montreal SPCA) and San Francisco (volunteering at SF Animal Care and Control), Dave moved across the Bay a few years ago and has been volunteering with BACS ever since. When not hanging with shelter animals, Dave tries to spend as much time as he can in the Sierras, Trinity Alps, or any other place with more animals than people.

Photomontage of a giant orange tabby cat holding a small older man against a white background

Daro and his wife, Bonnie, began volunteering about three years ago when they were looking for a shared activity close to home. They always enjoyed having a cat (see photo of big Max), and BACS provided the opportunity for more dog time and cat cuddles. From this, Daro has gathered the following impressions and experiences: the animals are sweet and loving even though they spend so much time alone in kennels; all the negative stereotypes of pit bulls in the media have been crushed by the gentle behaviors of these wonderful creatures; volunteering can be an emotional roller coaster with the lows of seeing so many kenneled animals and the highs of their adoptions; and finally, admiration of the incredible dedication of volunteers doing everything possible to help the animals.

Man in a red hoodie posing with two dogs indoors, including a large brown-and-white mastiff in the foreground.

After retiring from law enforcement as a K-9 handler and then federal agent in 2019, I decided to volunteer at the shelter. I was soon asked to be a volunteer mentor sharing my knowledge in dog handling. I prefer working with the larger more difficult dogs to teach them leash manners to make them more appealing to potential adopters. I am not only an owner but also an advocate for bully-breed dogs. When I'm not at the shelter you'll find me at the gym or spending quality time with my two dogs.

Smiling woman holding a wide-eyed orange tabby cat in a bedroom

Sonia Mahir has been a volunteer at BACS for a few years. She enjoys helping animals gain confidence and watching them grow. She is very interested in improving the lives of all cats and ensuring as many of them find good homes as possible. In her free time, she does population control research with a team that is investigating using anti-mullerian hormone as a non-surgical altenrative to spaying. Her beloved cat, Halwa, inspires her ongoing commitment to animal welfare.

Smiling woman wearing glasses holds a fluffy calico cat indoors.

I grew up with dogs and cats and have always loved them. And once I retired and my husband and I returned to the Bay Area we heard about BACS and have been volunteering there 4 afternoons a week since July 2018. A special needs cat at home keeps us pretty busy when we are not at the Shelter, however, we love getting involved with more animals that also need interaction. Sitting and socializing with the cats, helping to keep the kennels clean or providing treats and toys is such a rewarding experience and I believe improves the cats stay at the Shelter which may help them get adopted quicker. I was asked to join FoBACS a few months ago and hope to be able to make life better for the Shelter animals.

Smiling woman sitting outside a building beside a large gray-and-white dog wearing a teal harness

I began volunteering at BACS in 1998 when the shelter was located on 2nd St., and then run by the Police Dept. On my orientation day, after a brief talk in shelter kitchen, we were instructed to grab a leash, a choke chain and choose a dog to take out for a 10-min. walk, and thus was launched into the world of dog walking! Soon after that, shelter management was transferred to the City of Berkeley when things began to change for the better for the shelter. I also joined Home at Last Rescue (HAL) during those early years of high euthanasia rates at BACS to help rescue as many animals as possible, for adoption or fostering. I continue to volunteer daily at BACS as a dog walker.

Smiling woman hugging a happy black dog indoors

Allison Landa is a Berkeley-based writer whose memoir BEARDED LADY explores what makes one feel weird in the world. She is happy to serve on the FoBACS board as the four-footed set is dear to her heart. She lives in a mini-castle (really!) with her husband, young son, and manic mutt Yoshi. Visit her online at www.allisonlanda.com.