Who Needs Fisherman’s Wharf? DOG$PIRACY Comes to San Francisco

Muttville’s Sherri Franklin with author Dr. Marc Abraham. photo: Michael Angelo Torres

It’s always a treat to show a visitor around San Francisco and even more so when your visitor happens to love animals. Suddenly, the usual tourist spots begin to compete with shelter tours. Conversations about where to find the best sourdough are replaced with stories about folks working to make life better for animals.

That’s exactly the kind of San Francisco experience I hoped to give British veterinarian and animal welfare advocate Dr. Marc Abraham OBE when he arrived here in April as part of his U.S. tour promoting the documentary DOG$PIRACY.

Known throughout the United Kingdom as “Marc the Vet,” he has spent decades advocating for companion animals, helping bring animal welfare issues into the public conversation. Among other achievements, Marc led the successful 10-year campaign for Lucy’s Law, which ended the commercial sale of puppies and kittens in British pet stores. He also runs the All-Party Dog Advisory Welfare Group in the UK Parliament at Westminster, and he serves as patron to numerous animal organizations, including the Oldies Club, a foster-based rescue for senior dogs. In other words, he’s my kind of guy.

Marc has worked on animal campaigns with celebrities such as comedian Ricky Gervais and the legendary guitarist from the rock band Queen, Brian May. He brought animal adoption to 10 Downing Street when he introduced then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson to rescue dog Dylan. Along the way, he’s received a number of awards and accolades, including the prestigious Order of the British Empire presented by King Charles III for Services to Animal Welfare.

This was Marc’s first visit to San Francisco since he was a young child so there was plenty for him to do and see. But traditional tourist stops were not on our agenda (okay, there was one afternoon spent at an Irish pub in the Haight to catch the Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Chelsea; Marc hails from Brighton and naturally wanted to support his local team). For the most part, however, Marc’s visit was an introduction to the many different ways people in our city show up for animals.

We talked about the work of the Animal Commission and the role local policy plays in advancing animal protection. I shared information about some of our amazing local nonprofit organizations, such as Vets in Vans, and the importance of reducing barriers to veterinary care. We also spoke about activism and the many different approaches people take to create change.

At San Francisco Animal Care and Control, Marc toured the shelter and spent time talking to staff and learning about the work that goes into caring for animals as a city department. He was deeply touched by the compassion of the staff and volunteers he met there.

At Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, he experienced one of California’s most beloved rescue organizations firsthand. The visit made a strong impression on him, reinforcing what those of us who live here already know - that Muttville is a truly magical place. As Marc put it, “Everywhere you look, there’s empathy, compassion, kindness.”

Sherri Franklin, Michael Angelo Torres, and Dr. Marc Abraham at the film’s screening at the Roxie. photo: Marie Rochelle Macaspac

That feeling definitely carried over to the DOG$PIRACY screening at the Roxie Theater.

While San Francisco dog lovers had no shortage of events competing for attention that night, an enthusiastic audience gathered for this powerful documentary. Featuring Marc, the film examines the systems that continue to support commercial dog breeding and animal suffering, encouraging viewers to think more critically about consumer choices, rescue, and the stories often hidden behind the image of the “perfect puppy.”

Following the screening, I had the opportunity to moderate a discussion with Marc and special guest Sherri Franklin, founder of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. The conversation moved easily between difficult realities and hopeful possibilities. 

Asked what she hoped audiences would take away from the film, Sherri didn’t hesitate.

“More work needs to be done,” she said. “This is still a big-money industry, and each one of us needs to open our mouths, open our wallets, get out our pens, get on our email, and talk to legislators, and let them know how you feel.”

The post-screening discussion also explored how lasting change begins with compassion and with helping people see rescuing a dog as an opportunity. As Marc said, “We rescue each other when we rescue a dog.”

When asked how he enjoyed his visit to San Francisco, Marc responded, “You’ve shown me so many interesting places, including Muttville … and I’m still absolutely blown away.”

So who needs Fisherman’s Wharf? Even though Marc was only here for a short time, he was able to experience San Francisco in the best way possible - visiting shelters and rescue organizations and meeting people who work every day to make life better for animals. 

Next time I promise to find him some sourdough.

DOG$PIRACY is now available to stream in the United States via YouTube Movies, Google Play, Hoopla, and Amazon Prime.