From Crocker Amazon Park to the SF Zoo: What’s Next for Our City’s Animals?

And just like that …it’s May! It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the midpoint of 2026. But what better time to check in on the goals we’ve set, the progress we’ve made, and what still needs to be done in the months ahead?

That was certainly the vibe at last month’s Animal Commission meeting. Our April agenda included robust discussions of previous and ongoing issues including artificial grass at Crocker Amazon Park, mandatory spay/neuter legislation, giant pandas and the San Francisco Zoo, and glue traps and rodenticides.

Over the past year, the commission has hosted a wide range of inspiring presentations, heard feedback from a variety of community members, and advanced recommendations on issues that impact animals across the city. But as Commissioner Mikhaila Garfinkel noted during our April discussion, the question now is not just what we’ve accomplished; it’s how we focus our energy moving forward in a world that feels increasingly crowded with competing priorities.

Our April meeting began with an update on the mandatory spay and neuter legislative proposal put forward by San Francisco Animal Care & Control (SF ACC), which the commission unanimously supported at its January 2026 meeting. Since then, the Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee voted to pause further action on this proposed legislation for up to a year while additional study is conducted. While I understand the desire for more data, I consider this delay to be a setback. Action is needed now to help animals in our city, and I am concerned this temporary pause will delay related discussions on shelter overcrowding and breeding accountability. Data and thoughtful analysis are essential but so is the willingness to act in the face of an ongoing crisis. This is one of the issues I will continue to focus on in the months ahead.

Commissioners also discussed rodenticides and our recommendation to ban glue traps, which was unanimously supported at our September 2025 meeting. Both rodenticides and glue traps are known to cause prolonged suffering and unintended harm to non-target wildlife, and they are often incorrectly seen as quick, inexpensive fixes when in reality their use creates further problems down the line. These discussions have received strong support, and I hope to work with community members to encourage city supervisors to take action and advance compassionate alternatives.

Another issue in the news is Crocker Amazon Park and the use of artificial turf in our city’s natural spaces. What began as a written public comment to the commission has turned into a broader examination of synthetic surfaces and their impact on wildlife and the environment. Since the commission’s September 2025 recommendation, this issue has continued to gain traction, with more residents weighing in on what’s at stake - not just for recreation, but for the ecosystems our parks sustain. The commission is proud to have been the first city body to take a real stand against artificial turf in our parks and to support keeping Crocker Amazon Park a natural green space with real grass and its majestic tree canopy.

And, of course, what would a discussion of current animal issues be without mention of the San Francisco Zoo? Longstanding concerns have intensified with recent media coverage of a proposed city loan to support the zoo’s operations, raising questions about accountability and public funding. Discussions about the potential arrival of giant pandas have also resumed, underscoring the need to consider what kind of institution the zoo should be. Is it a place for suffering and spectacle, or can it be reimagined as something more aligned with conservation, education, and animal well-being?

What emerged from our April meeting was a clearer picture of the challenges ahead and an acknowledgment that there is no shortage of important issues. If anything, the list continues to grow. The question now is how to ensure that the commission’s efforts translate into meaningful action and keep concerns about animals and wildlife from being sidelined by City Hall.

As we move further into 2026, we look forward to advancing the work already underway, while also exploring emerging issues such as a potential ban on the sale of small animals in San Francisco and revisiting community cat concerns.

As always, the work of the commission is only one piece of a much larger effort. Real change happens when people stay informed, speak up, and find ways - big or small - to support animals in their own communities. We look forward to continuing this work together to advance the needs of animals and wildlife here and everywhere.

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, May 14, 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.