Silicon Valley Pet Project

Silicon Valley Pet Project takes a creative approach on problem solving by investing in a sustainable organization of professional and business minded community members who are committed to improving animal welfare in Santa Clara County.

Silicon Valley Pet Project (SVPP) works with the entire community (including shelters and other rescue organizations) to put an end to the problem of homeless pets. Our goals include:

Partner with local animal shelters in creative ways to promote adoption and fostering of homeless pets in the community;

Increase awareness of adoption options and value of rescued pets thru partnerships with other animal welfare and community organizations/businesses who share the goal of #adoptdontshop;

Partner with community businesses and organizations to celebrate pets through sponsored activities and events and facilitate fun new ways for the community to learn about and interact with adoptable dogs;

Provide an inclusive and positive community space for interaction with pets and other like-minded people in addition to providing guidance and ongoing support for education and training that help set up adopters, fosters and volunteers for success;

Create a social space(s) and community resource for meetings, educational events, workshops and animal-centric activities for animal lovers in Silicon Valley.

SVPP strives to create and support innovative ways to positively impact the local animal welfare landscape. We believe that our ongoing work is best served by providing a permanent venue to deliver innovative and progressive solutions that connect people with homeless pets through venues that serve to unite pet lovers, celebrate pet adoption, and educate the public about pet guardianship to improve animal welfare in Santa Clara County.

Launched in May, 2016, Silicon Valley Pet Project successfully operated San Jose’s first cat adoption lounge, The Dancing Cat. The Dancing Cat is a unique adoption venue for SVPP that focuses its efforts on finding loving homes for adult cats. Over 300 adult cats (many senior and special needs) have been adopted from this venue. The Dancing Cat also provides a creative space for educational activities and community-building events that are open to the public. To date, over 7,000 members of the community have come to spend time at the lounge or attend over 70 events.

In an effort to create a similar environment to benefit dogs and the dog lovers in the community, SVPP has recently opened a pop up dog community center called Pup Plaza. The goal of this initiative is engage the community to advance dog adoption efforts, local animal welfare activities, education and celebration of dogs; combining an adoption center venue with dog-friendly events, classes and a small retail operation.

We will continue to build a sustainable organization staffed with business professionals and powered by talented volunteers with the goal of making a significant impact on the community for years to come.

Silicon Valley Pet Project was founded in November of 2014 and over the past 8 years, we have built the following capabilities:

Rescued and rehabilitated over 1700 cats and dogs from local animal shelters, many special needs pets and seniors

Forged important partnerships with City of San Jose, local business associations, other animal welfare organizations, corporate and community organizations

Demonstrated strong leadership and cultivated a professional business-minded board, with a wide range of mentors in all areas of business, including a veterinarian

Successfully executed over 400 community events

Launched and operated The Dancing Cat, San Jose's first cat adoption lounge for two years (May 2016 - September 2018)

Built a strong base of dedicated volunteers

Invested in technology (accounting and donor database) to streamline practices and to be better positioned for growth

Launched and operates Pup Plaza, Silicon Valley's first dog community center (2018 to present)

As an innovative, business and people minded organization with significant impact in the local animal welfare landscape in the past 5 years:

1700+ lives saved (many special needs and elderly)

Innovative adoption programs, such as Golden Paw adoptions for senior citizens, Healing Paw adoptions for people affected by cancer

Opened and operated San Jose’s first cat adoption lounge, The Dancing Cat for two years

First San Jose based Best Friends Animal Society Network Partner

Vibrant volunteer workforce of 200+ in all areas of the organization

Runner-up for “Best Rescue Group, South Bay” in Bay Woof’s 2016, 2017 Beast of the Bay Awards

Created and launched Silicon Valley's first dog community center, Pup Plaza (www.pupplaza.org) in October 2018 to present