In the heart of San Francisco, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue has long been a haven for older dogs in need of care and a second chance. But the nonprofit is now battling a crisis that threatens its ability to save lives: ongoing power issues at its new shelter, caused by Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (PG&E) failure to provide adequate electricity.

 

The Power Struggle

For Muttville, the struggle began when the shelter moved into a newly renovated building in the Mission District at the end of July 2024, reports the San Francisco Standard.

The relocation, which followed four years of careful planning and significant investment in green technologies, should have been a moment of triumph. Instead, it became a nightmare when the building lost power on August 1, leaving the facility without sufficient electricity to operate effectively.

“Dogs are basically dying because we haven’t been able to reach a conclusion with PG&E,” said Sherri Franklin, Muttville’s founder and CEO, expressing her frustration at the utility’s apparent lack of urgency in resolving the issue.

Despite multiple attempts to secure a stable power supply, Muttville has been forced to cut its intake of senior dogs from 20-25 per week to fewer than 10, potentially dooming many of these vulnerable animals to euthanasia at other shelters. Franklin’s concerns are shared by other animal welfare groups that rely on Muttville as a critical resource.

Carol Lacey of The Kern Project, a Marin County rescue organization, told the The San Francisco Standard that the power outages have already forced them to halt the transfer of dogs to Muttville, leaving high-risk animals in jeopardy at kill shelters across California.

"Shelters will euthanize for space, and the senior dogs are the first to go,” Lacey explained. The ripple effects of PG&E’s failure are being felt far beyond San Francisco.

 

PG&E’s Controversial History

PG&E has been no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to its infrastructure and management practices. The utility’s history of negligence is well-documented, with devastating consequences for California residents. From wildfires caused by poorly maintained equipment to power outages stemming from outdated infrastructure, PG&E’s failures have caused widespread harm.

In recent years, PG&E has faced scrutiny for its role in some of California’s most destructive wildfires. Five of the ten most destructive fires in the state since 2015 have been linked to PG&E’s electrical network, leading to billions of dollars in damages and numerous fatalities, reported The New York Times.

The company’s “run to failure” approach—where equipment is used until it breaks—has been criticized as prioritizing profits over safety, a sentiment echoed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has said that PG&E “cannot be trusted.” This pattern of neglect extends beyond wildfires.

A report from KTVU highlights ongoing issues with PG&E’s aging infrastructure and backlog of repairs, which have contributed to an increase in power outages across the state. The utility has struggled to maintain its vast network, leading to frequent service disruptions that have had serious consequences for customers, including Muttville.

 

A Broken System

Muttville’s plight is emblematic of broader systemic issues within PG&E’s operations. The company’s centralized utility model, which emphasizes large-scale power plants and extensive transmission networks, has been criticized for being inefficient and costly.

As The Environmental Working Group reports, PG&E’s massive investments in transmission infrastructure have driven up costs for ratepayers, while failing to deliver the reliable service that customers like Muttville desperately need. Efforts to modernize and decentralize California’s power grid have been hampered by PG&E’s resistance to change.

The utility has been accused of using its financial and political clout to stifle competition from rooftop solar and other decentralized energy sources that could offer more resilient and affordable power. This resistance to innovation has left PG&E ill-equipped to handle the challenges posed by climate change and the growing demand for reliable energy, according to The Environmental Working Group.

 

The Human Cost

The impact of PG&E’s failures extends beyond financial and operational concerns—it affects the lives of the most vulnerable. For Muttville, the inability to secure a stable power supply has meant a halt to crucial community programs, including cuddle clubs for isolated senior citizens and educational sessions for children.

“We haven’t been able to have one in a month,” Franklin lamented to the San Francisco Standard.

As Muttville continues to struggle with inadequate power, the consequences for senior dogs across the state grow more dire. Without the ability to take in animals from kill shelters, many dogs are being put down needlessly.

“If a shelter is holding a dog, a senior dog, waiting for Muttville to be able to take it—how many weeks can they hold out before they say, ‘I gotta euthanize it?’” Joyce Polhamus, a Muttville board member, asked The San Francisco Standard.

 

The Path Forward

Despite the dire situation, there is hope that PG&E’s shortcomings will eventually be addressed. The utility has stated that it is working on a long-term fix to supply adequate power to Muttville’s shelter. However, given the company’s track record, many remain skeptical.

The urgency of the situation has led Franklin and her team to seek temporary solutions, but these are stopgaps at best, providing only a fraction of the power needed to operate at full capacity. The ongoing crisis at Muttville serves as a stark reminder of the human and animal costs of PG&E’s failures.

As California continues to grapple with the challenges of maintaining a safe and reliable power grid, the need for systemic reform becomes increasingly clear. For the dogs at Muttville and the countless other lives affected by PG&E’s actions, change cannot come soon enough.

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