SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The San Diego Humane Society is pleading with the community to help as it grapples with how to care for a record-high number of dogs in their care. 

What You Need To Know

  • The San Diego Humane Society is asking for the community's help as they care for a record high number of dogs

  • The nonprofit, dedicated to animal welfare and providing adoption and veterinarian services, has nearly 2,000 pets in its shelters, nearly half are dogs

  • The number of people adopting dogs and other pets rose during the coronavirus pandemic. However, as employers called their employees back into the office and the economy soured, many people abandoned their dogs and other pets

  • Humane Society officials said there are thousands of dogs ready to be adopted 

“Now more than ever, we need the community’s help to relieve the pressure on our shelters, including our staff, volunteers and the animals themselves,” said Nina Thompson, the Public Relations Director at the San Diego Humane Society.

The nonprofit, dedicated to animal welfare and providing adoption and veterinarian services, has nearly 2,000 pets, including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, pigs, etc., in its care across four shelters in San Diego. 

Humane Society officials said they have 822 dogs in care as of Tuesday, a new record that is unfortunately breaking every day. In 2019, before the pandemic, the society had as many as 485 dogs in its care.

“In August alone, it seems like we’re seeing more and more dogs arrive at the shelters,” said Thompson. 

Currently, the society has 352 adult dogs seven months and older and 30 puppies up for adoption. It also has 144 cats and 94 kittens ready for adoption.

More than 100 dogs have been with the society for over 90 days, officials added. None of these dogs or pets will be euthanized. 

The lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic have contributed to the overflow of dogs and other pets in shelters. 

According to the Washington Post, the number of people adopting dogs and other pets rose during the coronavirus pandemic. However, as employers called their employees back into the office and the economy soured, many people abandoned their dogs and other pets.  

Thompson said the reduced access to spaying and neutering services during the pandemic also exacerbated the shelter problem. Many owners skipped these services during that time.

“We believe there are multiple reasons,” she said of the record high number of dogs and pets in shelters. “The economy, people moving who can’t bring their dogs due to breed and weight restrictions, a pause in spay/neuter services during the pandemic has led to unwanted litters now.”

Now, Thompson asks the community to help. 

She said adopting shelter dogs and pets saves lives.

“There are thousands of pets in crowded shelters waiting for a second chance,” she said. “From puppies and kittens to senior companions and small pets like rabbits and guinea pigs — San Diego Humane Society is overflowing with deserving animals in need of adoption.”

She added that the Humane Society offers adoption guarantees “so families can have peace of mind knowing that if the pet isn’t the right match, we’ll welcome the animal back into our care.”

She also said that community members can temporarily foster dogs and other pets to relieve them from experiencing the stress of the shelter and create space for other animals in need. 

Other ways the community can help include donating to the San Diego Humane Society and spaying and neutering family pets to stop overpopulation.

Thompson added from Aug. 10 to Sept. 10, all adoption fees will be 50% off for the “Clear the Shelters” month. On Sept. 7, the adoption fees will be waived for “Clear the Shelters” day.

The San Diego Humane Society is open for walk-in adoptions Tuesday through Sunday at its campuses in Escondido, El Cajon, Oceanside and San Diego. 

For more information on how you could help, visit sdhumane.org.