{"id":97075,"date":"2025-07-23T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T16:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sfspca.org\/?p=97075"},"modified":"2025-07-22T10:48:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T17:48:57","slug":"the-baker-familys-gift-of-compassion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sfspca.org\/blog\/the-baker-familys-gift-of-compassion\/","title":{"rendered":"The Baker Family’s Gift of Compassion"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you step into the Baker Family Cat Wing at the San Francisco SPCA Adoption Center<\/a>, it’s hard not to feel the joy in the air\u2014curious cats climbing San Francisco-themed structures, wide-eyed children peeking into condos, and families falling in love. That sense of warmth and hope is no accident. It reflects the heart of the family behind the space, the Bakers: Leslie and Brian and their daughter, Addison.<\/span><\/p>\n

Longtime animal lovers, the Bakers’ connection to the SF SPCA began more than a decade ago with volunteer work socializing cats and a shared desire to do more. “We’ve always been a cat family,” says Leslie. “There’s just nothing wrong with kittens\u2014they’re perfect.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Their first major gift supported our Shelters Preventing Outbreaks of Ringworm through Education (SPORE) Program, which helps detect and treat ringworm in shelter environments. Over time, their involvement deepened, and Leslie joined the SF SPCA Board of Directors in 2016. Today, she serves as Vice Chair, lending her leadership and insight to expand access to veterinary care and protect animals throughout California.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the heart of the Bakers’ philanthropy is a desire to inspire the next generation\u2014starting with their daughter, Addison.<\/span><\/p>\n

At just eight years old, Addison has already helped friends adopt from the shelter, donated her own hard-earned money, and recruited her friends to join her at our annual Holiday Windows and Family Day events. She dreams of growing up to be a veterinarian like her hero, Dr. Jennifer Scarlett.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Her commitment to and love for animals is so strong,” says Leslie. “And seeing her fall in love with the shelter animals here, seeing her learn about giving back\u2014this place has become a special part of our family.”<\/span><\/p>\n

That spirit of togetherness inspired the Bakers to make a transformational $1 million gift, resulting in the Baker Family Cat Wing. For them, it’s more than a beautiful space; it’s a reflection of their values. “What makes me proud is the joy that exists in this space, and that it feels like a home on the way to a forever home,” says Leslie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their hope is that the Baker Family Cat Wing continues to bring people together, offering joy, comfort, and the promise of a better future for every cat. And with Addison already following in her parents’ philanthropic footsteps, it’s clear that the Bakers’ support is a legacy in the making.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leslie sums up the spirit of philanthropic giving best: “You don’t have to do everything. Just do one little thing. If it’s meaningful to you, it will be meaningful to the animals. If we all do what we can, we can make a huge difference. That’s how change happens.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This story originally appeared in the summer 2025 issue of Our Animals\u00a0<\/em>magazine.\u00a0Download a copy to read more<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you step into the Baker Family Cat Wing at the San Francisco SPCA Adoption Center, it’s hard not to feel the joy in the air\u2014curious cats climbing San Francisco-themed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":97170,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[736],"class_list":["post-97075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-our-animals"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Baker Family's Gift of Compassion - 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