Wednesday, August 12 through Tuesday, August 18, 2026
This week’s roundup focuses on practical steps that help pets stay safe, housed, and connected to the people who love them. We cover H5N1 safety for cats, food and veterinary resources, emotional support animal housing rules, community cat programs, volunteer opportunities, and confirmed recurring services across the Bay Area.
Community Pet Welfare Spotlight: H5N1 Safety for Cats
H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus that can infect cats. Cornell’s Feline Health Center reports that illness may be life-threatening, with up to 70 percent of infected cats dying. Early signs can include fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Some cats then worsen quickly, developing eye or nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, breathing difficulty, incoordination, tremors, seizures, or blindness. (Cornell Feline Health Center) [1]
The most useful prevention steps are straightforward:
- Keep cats indoors, away from sick or dead birds, poultry, livestock, and contaminated environments.
- Do not feed raw meat, raw poultry, raw pet food, freeze-dried raw diets, or unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
- Wash your hands after handling animals, wild birds, bird feeders, or outdoor equipment.
- If a cat becomes sick after a possible exposure, separate the cat from other pets and people as much as possible.
- Call a veterinarian before bringing the cat into a clinic. The veterinary team may need to take precautions to protect other animals, staff, and clients. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; California Department of Public Health) [2] [3]
This guidance matters for families who use lower-cost food options. Avoiding raw food does not require buying the most expensive brand. Guardians can ask a veterinarian, food pantry, or animal welfare organization about safe, complete, commercially prepared alternatives. Do not replace a cat’s regular diet with homemade food without veterinary guidance. Cats need specific nutrients, and an improvised diet can create new health problems.
Call a veterinarian promptly if your cat has breathing trouble, sudden neurologic changes, seizures, severe weakness, or rapid deterioration. Cornell advises isolating a cat with compatible signs and contacting a veterinarian immediately. Do not arrive unannounced with a potentially exposed animal. (Cornell Feline Health Center) [1]
Resources for Pet Owners in Need
Berkeley Humane Pet Food Pantry
Location: 936 Carleton Street, Berkeley.
Eligibility: Open to the public. The program cannot provide food for feral cat colony caretakers because of limited supply.
Cost: Free.
Hours: Once monthly, 10 a.m. to noon. The August distribution took place Sunday, August 2. The next listed date is Sunday, September 6.
Contact and registration: No appointment is required. Food is distributed first come, first served, with approximately a two-week supply of dog or cat food. Confirm details before traveling. (Berkeley Humane) [10]
Contra Costa Humane Society AniMeals
Location: Distribution sites in Martinez, Pittsburg, and Rodeo.
Eligibility: Contra Costa County pet guardians. The county resource list directs readers to the Contra Costa Humane Society for current access details.
Cost: Contact the provider regarding current availability and requirements.
Hours: Distribution times are not consistently published in the county listing.
Contact and registration: Call or email Contra Costa Humane Society before visiting. Ask about the nearest site, current supply, identification requirements, and whether registration is needed. (Contra Costa County pet food resource list) [11]
Joybound FoodShare Pantry
Location: Joybound’s Walnut Creek campus, not Richmond.
Eligibility: Contra Costa County residents. Public listings state that proof of residency, household income, and photo identification may be required.
Cost: Free, subject to program requirements and supply.
Hours: The recurring pattern is the first Saturday of each month. The August 8 event has passed and is not an event during this roundup period.
Contact and registration: The available listing does not establish a current appointment requirement. Contact Joybound directly for the next date, registration path, and documentation requirements. (Joybound FoodShare information) [11]
HAPI Oakland
Location: Oakland community outreach sites, including mobile outreach in neighborhoods and encampments.
Eligibility: Oakland pet guardians who need assistance. HAPI states that proof of need is not required.
Cost: Free.
Hours: Outreach dates and locations change.
Contact and registration: Check HAPI’s current “Where to Find Us” schedule or email treasurer@hapi.pet. Services may include pet food, supplies, vaccinations, microchips, flea treatment, dewormer, and basic medications. (Human and Pet Initiative) [13]
SF SPCA Community Veterinary Clinic
Location: 4527 Mission Street, San Francisco.
Eligibility: Pet guardians seeking low-cost preventive care and treatment for minor conditions.
Cost: Low-cost fees vary by service. Ask for the current price before booking.
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., by appointment.
Contact and registration: Call (415) 429-5410 or text (415) 554-3084. Services include vaccines, parasite medications, minor skin, ear, and eye care, and some minor illness treatment. This clinic does not provide emergency care, X-rays, or laboratory services. (SF SPCA Community Veterinary Clinic) [14]
Emergency and Crisis Support: Housing and Assistance Animals
HUD issued enforcement guidance on May 22 that directs its Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity office to prioritize complaints involving animals trained to perform disability-related tasks. The memorandum rescinded earlier HUD guidance concerning emotional support animals and states that HUD will generally pursue reasonable-cause findings only in cases involving trained disability-related assistance animals. (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development memorandum) [4]
That change affects federal enforcement priorities. It does not itself rewrite California law.
On July 20, the California Civil Rights Department issued a legal alert reaffirming that California renters may request emotional support animals as a reasonable accommodation when they have a disability-related need. California guidance distinguishes emotional support animals from pets and does not require an ESA to have specialized training or certification. Documentation may be requested when a disability or need is not obvious, but online certificates alone may not be reliable. (California Civil Rights Department legal alert; CRD housing FAQ) [5] [6]
California guardians should save copies of written accommodation requests, supporting documentation, and housing-provider responses. Because individual facts matter, contact CRD or a qualified fair housing advocate for advice about a specific dispute.
Community Cat and Rescue Initiatives
A recent ASPCA operation removed more than 100 cats from three overcrowded New York City homes. The cats included adults, kittens, and pregnant cats. The owners surrendered them after becoming unable to provide appropriate care. The case shows why early, nonjudgmental support matters. Food, sterilization, veterinary care, and a trusted place to ask for help can prevent a crisis from becoming an emergency. (ASPCA) [17]
Trap-neuter-return, commonly called TNR, remains a practical community cat strategy. In San Francisco, the SF SPCA Community Cats Program offers TNR appointments Tuesday through Saturday. Drop-off is generally at 10 a.m., with pickup around 5 p.m. at 201 Alabama Street. Appointments are required, and humane traps are available for rental Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Text (415) 554-3084 to request an appointment. (SF SPCA Community Cats) [15]
San José Animal Care and Services also lists TNR on Mondays and Thursdays for eligible community cats from San José, Saratoga, Cupertino, and Milpitas. Monday intake is first come, first served from 7 to 8 a.m. Thursday service requires an online request and confirmation. Cats must arrive in humane traps. (San José Animal Care and Services) [16]
Indoor living is also a sound exposure-reduction measure. Cornell recommends keeping cats indoors and away from wild birds, poultry, livestock, and their environments. Guardians can make indoor life richer with window perches, play, climbing spaces, food puzzles, and supervised access to secure patios or enclosed areas. [1]
Housing Policy Update
Three measures are worth watching, without assuming that any will become law.
- H.R. 4921, the Providing for Unhoused People and Pets Act: The bill was referred to House committees and would establish grants for pet-inclusive housing and shelter. The official record does not show enactment. (Congress.gov) [7]
- H.R. 8378, the Pets Belong with Families Act: The measure concerns pet rules in public housing, including breed, size, weight, and deposit restrictions. Readers should check the current Congress.gov record for its latest committee status and text before relying on summaries. (Congress.gov) [8]
- California SB 1296: The bill concerns rental pet-policy disclosures. The official California Legislative Information page lists it in the Assembly and places it on the August 10, 2026 third-reading file. The proposed operative date and final requirements depend on passage and the final enacted language. (California Legislative Information) [9]
Volunteer and Giving Opportunities
Shelters and rescue groups commonly need help with foster care, animal transport, adoption photography, event support, laundry, cleaning, and administrative work. Requirements vary. Confirm age, training, transportation, background-check, and time-commitment rules directly with each organization.
Mission Cats Foundation also welcomes direct support for no-cost pet care for vulnerable guardians. Support Mission Cats Foundation by donating through the approved MCF donation link. This is the roundup’s one primary call to action.
Bay Area Animal Welfare Calendar
- Wednesday through Saturday, August 12 through 15: SF SPCA Community Veterinary Clinic, 4527 Mission Street, San Francisco, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., by appointment. Call (415) 429-5410 or text (415) 554-3084. Confirm fees and availability.
- Wednesday through Saturday, August 12 through 15: SF SPCA community cat TNR appointments. Text (415) 554-3084. Typical drop-off is 10 a.m. and pickup is 5 p.m. Confirm eligibility and space.
- Thursday, August 13: San José Animal Care and Services TNR appointment day for eligible community cats. Online request and confirmation are required. Call 408-794-7297 for current instructions.
- Monday, August 17: San José TNR first-come, first-served intake, 7 to 8 a.m., at 2750 Monterey Road. Capacity is limited. Use humane traps and confirm the schedule before leaving home.
- Tuesday, August 18: East Bay SPCA Pet Food Pantry, 8323 Baldwin Street, Oakland, noon to 2 p.m. Registration opens Monday, August 10, and closes Friday, August 14, or when full. Register through the East Bay SPCA pantry page. [12]
- During the week, by confirmation: HAPI Oakland mobile outreach and supply distribution. Check the current “Where to Find Us” schedule before traveling.
- Not scheduled during this date range: Berkeley Humane’s next listed monthly pantry is Sunday, September 6, from 10 a.m. to noon. No appointment is required, but supply is limited.
- Not scheduled during this date range: Joybound’s August 8 FoodShare event has passed. Contact Joybound for the next first-Saturday distribution and current appointment or documentation requirements.
Programs can change because of staffing, supply, weather, or public health needs. Confirm every listing directly with the provider.
Sources
[1] Cornell Feline Health Center, “H5N1 Avian Influenza and Your Cat,” Cornell University, accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/h5n1-avian-influenza-and-your-cat
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Bird Flu in Pets,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/risk-factors/bird-flu-in-pets.html
[3] California Department of Public Health, “CDPH Advisory: H5 in Cats Following Raw Milk Consumption,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/CDPH-Advisory-H5-in-Cats-Following-Raw-Milk-Consumption.aspx
[4] U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “Enforcement Guidance: Assessing Requests for the Use of an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act,” May 22, 2026, https://www.hud.gov/sites/default/files/hudclips/documents/AS-Trainor-Enforcement-Guidance-Assessing-Requests-for-the-use-of-an-animal-as-a-reasonable-accommodation-under-the-fair-housing-act.pdf
[5] California Civil Rights Department, “Civil Rights Department Issues Legal Alert on Protections for Emotional Support Animals in Housing,” July 20, 2026, https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/2026/07/20/civil-rights-department-issues-legal-alert-on-protections-for-emotional-support-animals-in-housing/
[6] California Civil Rights Department, “Emotional Support Animals and Fair Housing Law FAQ,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2022/12/Emotional-Support-Animals-and-Fair-Housing-Law-FAQ_ENG.pdf
[7] Congress.gov, “H.R. 4921, Providing for Unhoused People and Pets Act,” 119th Congress, accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4921
[8] Congress.gov, “Legislation Search,” 119th Congress, accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.congress.gov/
[9] California Legislative Information, “SB-1296 Real Property: Rentals: Pet Policy,” 2025-2026 Session, accessed August 9, 2026, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1296
[10] Berkeley Humane, “Pet Food Pantry,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://berkeleyhumane.org/free-pet-food-pantry/
[11] Contra Costa County, “Pet Food Pantries and Distributions,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/83589/Pet-Food-Pantries-and-Distributions?bidId=
[12] East Bay SPCA, “Pet Food Pantry,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://eastbayspca.org/resources/pet-food-pantry
[13] Human and Pet Initiative, “Where to Find Us,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.hapi.pet/where-to-find-us
[14] San Francisco SPCA, “Community Veterinary Clinic,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.sfspca.org/veterinary-care/community-clinic/
[15] San Francisco SPCA, “Community Cats,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.sfspca.org/about/impact-results/community-cats/
[16] San José Animal Care and Services, “Trap-Neuter-Return,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/animal-care-services/services/tnr
[17] ASPCA, “ASPCA Removes More Than 100 Cats from Unsanitary, Overcrowded Conditions,” August 7, 2026, https://www.aspca.org/news/aspca-removes-more-100-cats-unsanitary-overcrowded-conditions
[18] Mission Cats Foundation, “Struggling to Feed Your Cat? 10 Bay Area Food Pantries Every Pet Owner Should Know,” accessed August 9, 2026, https://www.missioncatsfoundation.org/struggling-to-feed-your-cat-10-bay-area-food-pantries-every-pet-owner-should-know
Published weekly by Mission Cats Foundation. MCF supports the well-being of pets and the people who care for them, with a focus on seniors, low-income households, persons with disabilities, and unhoused community members. To donate, volunteer, request support, or submit a resource for future editions, visit www.missioncatsfoundation.org.
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Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute veterinary, medical, legal, financial, tax, housing, social-service, emergency, or other professional advice. Programs, resources, eligibility requirements, costs, dates, and availability may change. Readers should verify current information directly with the relevant provider and consult a licensed veterinarian or other qualified professional before acting. References to Mission Cats Foundation, outside organizations, services, or resources do not imply a guarantee of assistance, funding, availability, endorsement, partnership, or outcome.