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The Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) is one of the largest and one of the most progressive humane orgaizations in the United States. Located in San Mateo County, California, it is a private non-profit charitable organization with approximately 50,000 members. It is an animal rescue, rehabilitation and adoption operation, whose physical plant is situated at Coyote Point in the city of San Mateo. It has been responsible for considerable progress in the California Legislature with new humane laws in the state, especially since the late 1970s.

Principal services offered are animal rescue, veterinary care of sick and injured animals, adoption services and humane education. A full time staff of approximately 100 people are applied to these endeavors. Regarding animal rescue, PHS operates a fleet of rescue trucks and has associated personnel trained in wildlife rescue as well as pickup of stray domestic animals. In house veterinary care is available for intake animals who are injured or infirm. In 2005, approximately 15,000 animals were taken in, among whom all the medically suitable animals were thence adopted into qualified homes. Humane education has always been a strong part of the PHS mission; a staff of trained docents are systematically sent out to virtually all of the schools in San Mateo County as well as other venues. To supplement the full time staff PHS has approximately several hundred part time volunteers.

PHS conducts animal control functions under contract with most of the cities within San Mateo County. Where needed, these activities are coordinated with local law enforecement personnel to insure basic animal care is not being withheld, and that pet owners are able and responsible to care for their animals.

PHS also operates a low cost clinics for animal vaccination as well as spay and neuter functions. One outreach program uses docents who take pets to senior centers to provide animal contact and cheer to senior citizens, who would not otherwise have such an experience. PHS has an on site wildlife animal care center and conducts classes in animal behavior.

The Peninsula Humane Society, governed by a board of directors, has existed for about 50 years. Receiving no tax dollars for support, PHS has always functioned effectively in its mission of rescuing and receiving animals with high percentages of successful adoption {or release in the case of wildlife}. One of the early noteworthy staff was Kim Sturla, who in the 1970s and 1980s created major progress in humane education, docent training and legislative liasson.

• Peninsula Humane Society Website