Santa Cruz

Four Paws to Love was established in January of 2014 by close friends who had been part of several different animal welfare organizations over the years. These friends felt that there was a need for another rescue group that not only focuses on the importance of helping save animals' lives, but also focuses on how the love of a pet in our everyday lives affects each one of us. We are an all volunteer 501(c)(3) rescue. Our mission is to rescue homeless and at-risk pets from overcrowded shelters, thereby reducing euthanasia. We value the bond between humans and animals, and appreciate the important role that pets play in our everyday lives. Our goal is not only to help animals, but to help people whose lives are greatly enriched by adopting animals in need. Four Paws to Love is run by volunteers who generously give their time, homes and hearts in order to save lives. Through our Foster Care program, animals have a safe, healthy place to be until loving homes can be found for them. We ensure that all of our rescued animals are spayed or neutered, and we provide education to the community about the importance of spaying and neutering in order to reduce the homeless animal population.

The purpose of the Santa Cruz SPCA is to ensure the best possible quality of life for animals and to promote respect and reverence for all. Our mission is to strive to prevent cruelty to animals, to stop pet overpopulation, to promote community responsibility and for the humane care, treatment and well-being of all animals through adoption, education, information, and action. The SPCA got its start thanks to Dr. Charles Edward Graves, who graduated from a San Francisco veterinary college in 1901 and was the first veterinarian in Santa Cruz County to treat small animals. In 1938, he donated his land to the Santa Cruz SPCA. In 1955 the Santa Cruz Animal Welfare Association was incorporated. Alva Enberg, founder, was also its first executive director. When the Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority was formed in 2002, they took over the animal control contract with the county of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz SPCA became a private agency, focused on humane education, animal rescue, and community support. As a result of the SPCA's shift from a public-funded service to private agency, the only funding they receive is in the form of private donations.