San Diego Humane Society is facing a critical problem this summer – overcrowding. So much so, that the San Diego nonprofit operating five animal shelters countywide has launched an initiative named “Summer To Save Lives.”

The initiative invites the community to partner with them through Aug. 31 to help reduce shelter overcrowding by promoting more adoptions, temporary foster care, and volunteer opportunities to help out in shelters.

SDHS has campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona, and San Diego at 5500 Gaines St.

This summer initiative was developed because shelters nationwide are facing unprecedented challenges: record numbers of animals in care, staffing and volunteer shortages, and a critical lack of space for incoming animals. The organization is asking community members to be heroes for homeless pets and shelters in need.
Following July 4th, when SDHS took in 323 stray pets, SDHS had 2,584 animals in care, compared to 1,755 in 2022.

“We’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Gary Weitzman, president/CEO of SDHS. “Our shelters have been over capacity for the past seven months, and we saw a record number of stray animals entering our care over the July Fourth holiday. To put it bluntly, now is the time we need our community’s help.”

Nina Thompson, director of public relations for SDHS, described the current overcrowding situation in animal shelters as “never seen before. In the past, our busiest season has always been the summer, especially July 4th,” she said. “But since December of 2022, we’ve been overcapacity – and it’s never let up.”

The reasons for the huge increase are uncertain, but there are some theories.

“One of the reasons could be the economy, people moving and they can’t take their pets with them, especially large-breed dogs,” Thompson said. “Another reason could be a pause in spay/neutering, which may have caused a greater number of kittens and puppies being born during the pandemic years. There were also people who adopted pets during the pandemic, and those pets were possibly not socialized properly. Now, when those pets are a few years older, people are finding they have behavioral problems with those pets and are finding they can’t keep them.

“We have reached a critical point in our shelters with more animals relying on us than ever before,” said Thompson. “We’re doing everything we can to help the need for adoptions with having many promotions and either waiving or reducing, adoption fees. We’re also asking the community to help us by fostering animals temporarily, or volunteering at our shelter locations.”

With 2,502 animals in care, the animal shelter is looking for gently used and clean – or new – large towels and blankets. You can drop them off at any of SDHS’ locations.

HELP OVERCROWDING AT SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY’S SHELTERS
* Adopt: If you’re thinking about adding a pet to your family this summer, SDHS urges you to consider adoption first. Adoption fees are currently 50% off for adult dogs and cats (7 months and older) at all SDHS campuses.
* Foster: With shelters facing space crises, fosters are more critical than ever. By temporarily opening your home to a pet, you give them a break from the shelter — and help preserve extremely strained shelter resources. SDHS provides all the supplies, you provide the safe space and love.
* Voluntario: With all SDHS shelter campuses facing staff and volunteer shortages, support is urgently needed. Volunteers are especially needed for the 7-10 a.m. morning shifts through Aug. 31.
Reduce the risk of pets getting lost: Licenses are required by law, and they also serve as an extra form of identification to help your pet get home if they go missing. If you are within SDHS’ jurisdiction, your dog’s DocuPet license comes with free HomeSafe 24/7 lost pet service. More information at sdhumane.org/license. Make sure your pet is microchipped, and the information connected to the chip is up to date. Make sure your pets wear a collar with contact information tags. If you are hosting gatherings and parties, prepare a safe space within your home where your pet can seek shelter during the festivities. Keep dogs leashed on outings at all times.
If your pet is missing: Access SDHS’ Lost2Found program by texting “LOST” to 858-SAN-LOST (858-726-5678). You can also find more information, including how to reclaim your lost pet at San Diego Humane Society, at sdhumane.org/lost.
If you find a stray pet: Try to locate the owner on your own so you can avoid adding another pet to already overcrowded shelters. Oftentimes, the pet lives just a few blocks away. A total of 80% of lost pets are found within one mile of their home. Find more resources at sdhumane.org/found.