The year was 1868. Andrew Johnson was President, top hats were en vogue, and a kind-hearted banker named James Sloan Hutchinson opened the first SPCA west of the Mississippi. This Saturday, the SF SPCA is celebrating 145 years of animal welfare work with a Carnival-themed street festival, and everyone's invited. The headlining pet costume contest has been described as "fiercely competitive," and that's not all: expect carnival games (including a dunk tank), a beer garden, photo booth and food trucks galore, plus police horses and, of course, free adoptions. Temperatures should be hovering around 80 degrees tomorrow, which we consider perfect weather for finding your next animal soulmate (and Uber will be offering free rides home for anyone who adopts on Saturday, so you really have no excuse).

As added motivation, here are some animals who are currently waiting to be adopted by a loving owner just like you.

SF SPCA 145th Anniversary Carnival
Saturday, October 5th, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Alabama Street between 16th and Treat

[SFGate]