Overcrowding has led the San Diego Humane Society, which has set a record with canines in its care, to regularly offer special deals to help dogs in need of a second chance find new homes.

In the past year, SDHS, which serves nearly 70% of San Diego County, observed a 20% increase in lost pets not retrieved by their owners. SDHS noted families have relinquished their pets for a variety of reasons including escalating costs of care, insufficient housing options for pet owners, and limited access to veterinary care.

At least 400 dogs and 29 puppies are now ready for a new home and are available for adoption across the organization’s campuses in Escondido, El Cajon, Oceanside, and San Diego.
Besides the 429 adoptable dogs and puppies, SDHS is currently caring for another 318 dogs, for a total of 747 canines. On Oct. 20, the organization set a new all-time high with 757 canines in care.

“We’ve never seen a year like this with dogs before,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, SDHS’s president/CEO. “October was one of our highest months in history for dog admissions. These dogs need homes or foster homes, and we are asking the community to help provide second chances for them.”
Adopting from SDHS serves a variety of purposes including:
*   Helping create space in the shelter for other animals in need.
*   Knowing you’re getting an animal who has been properly assessed and cared for.
*   Ensuring your pet has been microchipped, spayed/neutered, and vaccinated.
*   Access to SDHS’s services including an adoption guarantee, training advice, pet supplies, and educational information to support pet families for the life of their animals.
People who’ve adopted pets and availed themselves of SDHS’s services talked about their experiences. “Bean’ is one of three pets Kathleen Aburto has adopted from SDHS recently joining “Joey” another dog they adopted in 2021.

“The wonderful people at SDHS went over her medical information thoroughly, and explained that Bean had been spayed and got all her vaccinations,” said Aburto adding, “They gave us a bag of Purina Pro Plan and many other coupons and information to help us on our way with a new pet. From day one we fell in love with Bean, and Bean immediately loved all of us in return.”

“She has become a full-fledged member of our family,” continued Aburto. “Even Joey welcomed her too.  He’s now her big brother. They sunbathe together, go on walks together, play together, and patrol our yard together. She is so affectionate with all of us showering us with kisses and making us laugh with all her crazy antics. We are grateful to have found our perfect dog, or rather, dogs, at SDHS.”

Kiran Vashishta talked about Remington “Remi,” adopted from SDHS.

“Remi was rescued in March 2019, after being abandoned,” said Vashishta. “Due to untold abuse and neglect, he was a skeleton weighing a meager 18 pounds who lacked the energy to stand up. Thanks to the time, effort, compassion, and dedication of countless staff at SDHS, Remi recovered medically and started to learn what it meant to be loved. SDHS frequently provided social media posts, pictures, and videos of this sweet boy, documenting his slow and steady progress, which is how I first learned about him.”

“When Remi was finally medically cleared in May of 2019, I had the privilege of adopting him,” added Vashishta. “Everyone I encountered at SDHS was incredibly helpful and kind, and the staff set this first-time dog mom up for success by walking me through the quick and painless process of adoption. I was sent home with not only a goofy likes-to-lick-your-face pup but also access to several available resources and the knowledge that I had an unwavering partner in this rewarding adventure. Thanks to SDHS and their ongoing support, Remi’s life was quite literally saved, and he is now thriving at nearly 60 pounds and has all the love, treats, playtime, and adventures he could ever want… and then some.”

SDHS is open for walk-in adoptions Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at its campuses in Escondido, El Cajon, Oceanside, and San Diego. Visit http://www.sdhumane.org/adopt to view animals available for adoption.
Adoption fees are 50% off for all kittens, puppies, and adult dogs, Nov. 7-12, thanks to Purina. To view animals available for adoption, visit sdhumane.org/adopt.