Walk through Muttville's dazzling new senior-dog rescue center and prepare to have everything you thought you knew about animal shelters turned completely on its head. The San Francisco powerhouse is making history as the FIRST shelter in the nation to offer a fully cage-free haven that practically explodes with colour and joy.
Dream-weaver designer Ken Fulk engineered this jaw-dropping glow-up, dreaming up whimsical spaces built for snuggle sessions and lively conversation. From the pink-tiled Glam Shampoochery to offices straight out of a Victorian storybook, a courtyard splashed with murals, and bone-shaped benches crafted by ecological sculptor Colin Selig, this place is basically light-years removed from the drab shelters of yesteryear.
Muttville founder and CEO Sherri FranklinPhoto: Eric Louis Haines
the fifth guardian — Yep, you read that right—the San Francisco-based senior-dog rescue is now the nation's first cage-free shelter, and it fairly bursts with colour, whimsy, and pure doggy delight.
Founder and CEO Sherri Franklin says potential adopters can meet the dogs in a wonderfully relaxed way—sparking a magical, heart-melting moment that frequently blossoms into a lifelong adoption.
Since hanging its shingle in 2007, Muttville has given safe haven and loving homes to more than 12,000 older dogs who might otherwise have faced euthanasia. But Muttville is light-years beyond a simple shelter—it runs community programs for senior citizens, humane education for kids, and even hosts a fully equipped on-site veterinary clinic.
Designer Fulk says he gave an instant, enthusiastic yes when Muttville asked him to sprinkle a little magic on their brand-new forever home. Because the rescue is such a beloved icon of San Francisco's generous soul—a cage-free community hub for senior dogs—he leaned hard into that identity by building 'adoption rooms' that tip their hat to the city's legendary Victorian Painted Ladies. His mission, he explains, was to flood the interiors with all the warmth, happiness, and love that define the very essence of the organization.
Psst—the brand-new shelter welcomes visitors Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 3 PM. Swing by for a cuddle (or five)… and who knows, you might just walk out with your forever furry soulmate!
the fifth guardian — Obsessed with this story yet? Then buckle up, because there's a whole kennel of tail-wagging, heart-pumping adventures waiting in every issue of Modern Dog magazine. Smash that subscribe button RIGHT NOW — you definitely won't want to miss a single paw-print!