March Springs Forward!

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve always felt March is one of the most revealing months of a new year. It arrives early enough that people are still energized and hopeful, yet far enough along to offer a clearer sense of direction. We may not know whether the year will ultimately prove good or difficult, but by March we begin to understand where we stand and how we might meet whatever the months ahead may bring.

One thing that may be revealed this month is how the San Francisco Board of Supervisors responds to the final report issued by the Commission Streamlining Task Force. As Bay Woof readers know, the task force was charged with reducing the number of commissions and public bodies in our city, ultimately recommending the elimination of more than 40% of them.

The task force’s final report was completed on January 26 and forwarded to the City Attorney’s Office for staff lawyers to draft legislation reflecting the recommendations, with the goal of presenting it to the supervisors by March 1. In the weeks ahead, we will see how the supervisors choose to proceed.

Though there are concerns about the final recommendations and the public bodies slated for elimination - concerns I understand and share - one detail from the report stood out. Of the 667 written public comments submitted to the task force, nearly 200 of them were in support of the Animal Commission. That level of community backing speaks volumes, and my fellow commissioners and I remain incredibly grateful for that  support.

Meanwhile, at the commission’s February meeting, we heard an informative presentation on the proposed EcoPark SF from Justin Barker of SF Zoo Watch and community advocate and attorney Megan Penrose. As those who have been following this story in the media know, that proposal envisions transforming the zoo into a conservation-focused ecological park with spaces dedicated to habitat restoration, animal well-being, and public education. Rather than a traditional zoo model centered on captivity, EcoPark SF would celebrate local ecosystems while supporting wildlife rehabilitation and compassionate conservation. The proposed plans include restored habitat zones, conservation programs for native species, and a wildlife rescue and recovery hub to assist animals in need. 

Many of us in the Bay Area are inspired by the possibility of transforming the crumbling zoo into a place that truly serves the community, one that emphasizes restoration, education, and coexistence. Public opinion also appears to be moving in that direction, with recent polling showing strong support for reimagining the zoo site and moving away from a traditional captivity model. Of course, there is still much work ahead to make EcoPark SF a reality, but we look forward to learning more and helping to build the public awareness needed to move this vision forward.

At its upcoming March meeting, the commission will discuss one of the more urgent and far-reaching wildlife issues facing us: the use of rodenticides. Joining us for this discussion will be Rebecca Dmytryk of Humane Wildlife Control and Dr. Rebecca Gooley of Raptors Are The Solution, who will bring their expertise on humane rodent management and discuss the impacts poisons have on wildlife.

As we’ve previously learned, rodenticides - particularly anticoagulant “blood-thinning” poisons - are widely used to control rats and mice. These poisons are an inhumane form of control, and their impact rarely stops with rodents. Wildlife rehabilitators and state officials have documented widespread exposure, affecting animals such as hawks, owls, foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions. 

In California, testing of dead wildlife has found rodenticide exposure in a majority of animals examined, with poisoning sometimes directly causing death and in other cases weakening animals through internal bleeding. In San Francisco, a significant number of deceased parrots — our city’s official animal — are found to have died from rodenticide poisoning.

Despite California’s restrictions on the most toxic second-generation anticoagulants, exposure remains common. In urban environments like the Bay Area, this creates a hidden but persistent wildlife crisis.

Unfortunately, California regulators are now considering changes that could expand where certain rodenticides may be used. Loosening current safeguards would increase wildlife exposure and undermine the intent of protections in our state’s recent legislation. As noted above, studies have already found high exposure rates among owls, coyotes, and many other species. 

The commission’s upcoming discussion presents an important opportunity to examine safer approaches to rodent control that protect both public health and urban wildlife. Our goal is to prioritize coexistence with wildlife, and the conversation around rodenticides is a critical step toward a more humane and ecologically responsible future.

If you have any questions or are looking for resources about rodenticides, please contact the commission. We welcome the conversation and hope to see you at our next meeting.

See you at City Hall!

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The next meeting of the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare will be held at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 12, in Room 408 at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102. Information concerning remote access to meetings is on our website (agendas for upcoming meetings are published within 72 hours prior to that meeting).

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Please be aware that the views and opinions expressed in this column are those of Commissioner Torres and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare.