The San Francisco County Animal Commission meeting on April 21, 2025, featured a series of passionate presentations from candidates seeking appointment to the commission. Each candidate highlighted their unique backgrounds and commitment to animal welfare, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and community involvement.

The meeting began with a candidate who holds a climate science degree from UCLA and is set to attend law school at the University of San Francisco. This individual expressed a strong dedication to local animal issues and hopes to leverage their legal education to benefit the community.

Dana Sherwood, a long-time resident of San Francisco, shared her extensive experience in the animal field, including ten years as a zookeeper and four years as an animal control officer. She emphasized her desire to remain involved in animal advocacy and community service, particularly in rescuing native wildlife and addressing animal abuse.

Emily Guzzardi, currently a hospital chaplain, discussed her volunteer work with animal advocacy organizations. She expressed a keen interest in addressing animal cruelty, particularly in live markets, and highlighted her leadership roles within advocacy groups.

Irena Asamoi, a current commission member, reflected on her four years of service and her commitment to wildlife rehabilitation. She mentioned ongoing efforts to ban glue traps in San Francisco, a topic that has garnered media attention and community support.

Lana Lee, a graduate student in data science, spoke about her interest in combining technology with animal welfare. She shared her volunteer experiences with Compassionate Bay, a nonprofit focused on animal advocacy legislation, and expressed enthusiasm for further involvement in the commission.

Finally, Michael Angelo Torres, the current chair of the commission, provided an overview of the commission's history and accomplishments. He highlighted the evolution of animal welfare recommendations over the years and reiterated the commission's ongoing commitment to advocating for the city's animals.

The meeting underscored the diverse backgrounds and shared passion of the candidates for animal welfare in San Francisco. As the commission continues its work, these new appointments may bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to the important issues facing the city's animal community.