SF Zoo, SPCA Enter World Series Wagers

Two organizations aimed at animal care entered into World Series wagers this week, according to representatives.

The San Francisco Zoological Society and the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA) are both putting skin into the World Series games.

SF SPCA spokeswoman Krista Maloney said Wednesday the organization answered a challenge from the Great Plains SPCA to sponsor nine animal adoptions, named after Kansas City Royals players, if the Giants lose the series.

The co-presidents of the SF SPCA will also have to post photos of themselves wearing Great Plains SPCA gear.

If the Giants win, which Maloney said is more likely, the Great Plains SPCA will have to sponsor the adoption of nine animals named after Giants players and post photos dressed in orange SF SPCA gear.

Maloney said it’s not the first time the SF SPCA engaged in a World Series wager. In 2012, when the Giants played the Detroit Tigers, Maloney said the SF SPCA made a bet with the Michigan Humane Society.

The losers had to sponsor $10 off 10 adoptions at the other facility. Even though the Giants won and the Michigan Humane Society sponsored 10 adoptions at the SF SPCA, Maloney said they also sponsored 10 adoptions at their shelter.

As part of the SF SPCA’s celebration of the World Series, they are holding an “Always the Underdogs, Always the Wonderdogs” promotion by waiving adoption fees on all small, adult dogs under 20 pounds and over six months old throughout the series.

At the San Francisco Zoological Society, President Tanya Peterson said on Tuesday she spent some time talking to Randy Wisthoff, executive director of the Kansas City Zoo before hammering out a bet.

If the Giants win, Peterson said senior staff from the Kansas City Zoo will have to dress in orange and black and stand in front of the sea lion enclosure with signs that say, “We’re not lion, the Giants beat us fair and square.”

If Kansas City wins, senior staff at the San Francisco Zoo will dress in royal blue and stand in front of the lion enclosure with signs that say, “The Royals won, and we’re swallowing our pride.”

Photos of either zoo’s display will be posted on each of the zoo’s Facebook feed.

Peterson said the zoo is also celebrating the series by giving visitors wearing orange and black $1 off of their admission fee.

The World Series is tied 1-1 following Kansas City’s 7-2 victory over the Giants Wednesday night. Game 3 is scheduled for 5:07 p.m. Friday in San Francisco.

Erin Baldassari, Bay City News

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