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Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda for June 7, 2026

by Jeff Cambra On In Alameda Life | Comments Disabled

I DECLARE!

Alameda Post - Mouf the Roving Reporter do sits next to a sign that says "Mouf for Mayor with his photo. [1]
After hinting for months that he might run for mayor, Alameda’s roving reporter finally declares he is running for the city’s top elected position to draw attention to the need for a new animal shelter.

There was a lot of activity this week as the result of people participating in the democratic process by casting their vote at one of the many polling places set up around town. I was amazed at how many languages the ROV provides for the voting information.

Alameda Post - Mouf the dog sits next to a sign that says "Vote Here Today" with an arrow. [2]

With all this activity around elections, I figure now is a great time to announce that I have officially decided to run for Mayor of Alameda. The MOUF FOR MAYOR campaign is officially up and running. I have a few campaign signs right now and will be ordering a bunch more once I assess demand. I understand that it is customary to give these signs out to people who support you. I am planning on going in a different direction.

My decision to run is based in large part on the need for a new animal shelter. In my May 3 report [3], I covered the “F” grade that the building received and the $26 million price tag for a new shelter. Part of the reason the building failed is because the facility was generally outdated, undersized, and insufficient for modern operational efficiency and effectiveness to meet future needs.

Alameda Post - A powerpoint slide from a presentation with text circled that says "Facilities are generally outdated, undersized, and insufficient for modern operational efficiency and effectiveness, and tho meet future needs. [4]
Slides presented in the October 7, 2025 City Council meeting, Agenda #7-A [5], Presentation.
Alameda Post - A chart from a report on the analysis of city buildings in need of repairs, indicating that the animal shelter received a failing grade. [6]
A report from RRM Design Group for the City Council, indicating infrastructure ratings for buildings in Alameda. Chart from the notes of the October 7, 2025 City Council meeting, [7] Agenda # 7-A.

One example of operational inefficiency is the fact that there is only one unisex bathroom with only one old residential toilet which is shared by the FAAS staff, our wonderful ACOs, and all the volunteers who walk the dogs and take care of things like laundry. That’s a lot of use for one toilet.

Alameda Post - A bathroom with a sink, toilet, and photos of animals on the walls. [8]

Speaking of laundry, FAAS uses a lot of towels, and the one tiny laundry room is constantly overflowing into the main kennel area. I would say that this area is definitely undersized and inadequate for the intended use.

In the coming weeks, I will report on the conditions that currently exist in a building that was built in the 1980s and was designed as a prison for canines until they were adopted or euthanized. Very sad time.

Alameda Post - Overflowing large trash bins full of laundry. [9]
Alameda Post - Overflowing cabinets full of folded laundry. [10]
Alameda Post - Overflowing organizing racks full of laundry and dog toys. [11]

Back to the campaign signs. I will be offering my campaign signs to anyone who supports a new shelter and champions the FAAS mission. In exchange for receiving a campaign sign, I ask that you make a $25 (or more) donation to FAAS by going to their website [12].

Since $26 million doesn’t just appear out of nowhere like some squirrels I have encountered, I expect the Alameda City Council to vote to put some kind of an infrastructure bond measure on the November ballot. In the language for the bond measure, I want to be sure that the shelter is named as a recipient and has a specific allocated $26 million earmarked for the new shelter so that voters will know that the money will actually go to the new shelter building.

Please send your thoughts and comments to my human companion at [email protected] [13].

Ok. Time to hit the campaign trail.

Bear's paws

Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda

Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected] [13]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/ [14]. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.