SPCA Monterey County to Break Ground on Major Campus Expansion For Life Saving Work and Vital Programs 

SPCA Monterey County will break ground on a major campus expansion this fall, made possible by the compassionate generosity of Claire R. Jacobson, a longtime SPCA supporter and local resident who passed away in December 2020. Claire left $22 million to the SPCA with stipulations that it must fund capital improvements and/or an endowment.

“Claire’s generational gift speaks to her trust and confidence in the SPCA,” said SPCA President & CEO Scott Delucchi. “Her incredible generosity and compassion will live on and change countless animals’ and people’s lives.”

To honor her wishes, the SPCA will renovate our Education Center, construct two new buildings on our Salinas campus across the street from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Highway 68, and establish an endowment. 

Claire Jacobson was a passionate supporter of the SPCA, devoting much of her time, energy, and resources to the care of animals. She enjoyed the company of her beloved dogs and was an accomplished horsewoman. She was also a longtime teacher in Salinas elementary schools.

“Thanks to Claire’s incredible gift, SPCA Monterey County will increase our ability to keep pets and families together by building a new Training Center and providing permanent space for our free Pet Food Bank,” says Delucchi. “We will also improve life for pets and people in our community by renovating our Education Center, providing additional space for our vital Cruelty Investigations team, building a new TLC Center to care for the most vulnerable pets, and continuing our focus on low and no cost spay neuter, humane education, and rescuing all types of animals in need.”

The SPCA’s renovated Education Center will be renamed the Claire R. Jacobson Learning Center. “There is nothing Claire would have cherished more than to see children in our county having the opportunity to experience SPCA education programs including our highly popular and impactful summer animal camp,” said Delucchi. “Our capital project will restore this campus jewel and allow us to reach and inspire even more children.” 

The SPCA’s new Training Center will more than double the SPCA’s current capacity for dog training classes and consultations. “Well-trained and socialized dogs are much less likely to be surrendered to shelters by their owners for behavior issues,” said Delucchi. “The availability of group classes and consultations will help keep loved pets in homes with their owners.”  

The Training Center will also house the SPCA’s Cruelty Investigations team. Highly trained investigators respond to 700-950 calls per year and bring animal abuse and cruelty cases to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking that we receive this many calls, but reassuring that the SPCA is always here for this work,” said Delucchi.  

The SPCA’s second new building, our TLC Building, will allow specialized staff to house and rehabilitate dogs with behavioral challenges. “It’s easier to mend a broken bone than it is to fix a broken spirit,” said Delucchi.  “The dogs we turn around over weeks or months with focused work have never received training, socialization or love. Many have never been on a leash, lived indoors, or played with other dogs. I don’t know that any part of our mission is more difficult or more important.”

The second building will also house the SPCA’s Free Pet Food Bank, a free service for the community.  Most years prior to Covid, the SPCA distributed approximately 5,000 lbs of pet food. In 2021, the SPCA gave away more than 100,000 lbs of pet food due to the growing need – which continues today – helping keep pets with their loving families.

The new Claire R. Jacobson Endowment will support annual SPCA operations, with a specific focus on critical animal care and rehabilitation, youth education, and low or no cost spay/neuter. Typically, organizations draw 4-5% annually from endowments to help fund operations, and, by law, cannot draw more than 7%. While this gift significantly increases our ability to help the animals and people who rely on us, the SPCA will remain dependent on generous supporters of all levels for the great majority of its annual funding.

“Claire’s extraordinary gift will touch every aspect of the SPCA, from lifesaving programs for dogs and cats, to care for horses, wildlife rehabilitation, low-cost spay/neuter, and our work as this area’s first responder for animals impacted by fires and other disasters,” continued Delucchi. 

For the campus expansion project, the SPCA hired Salinas-based Belli Architectural Group and Blach Construction. Construction will take 12 to 16 months. The addition of solar power will significantly reduce or eliminate the SPCA’s annual electric costs.

SPCA Monterey County is a nonprofit, independent, donor-supported humane society that has been serving the animals and people of Monterey County since 1905. The SPCA is not a chapter of any other agency and does not have a parent organization.  They shelter homeless, neglected and abused pets and livestock, and provide humane education and countless other services to the community. They are the local agency you call to investigate animal cruelty, rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife, and aid domestic animals in distress.