San Diego Humane Society on Feb. 13 held the grand opening of its redesigned Adoptions Center with a ribbon cutting at its San Diego Campus.

The milestone was celebrated with a ceremony at 5500 Gaines St. attended by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, alongside SDHS staff, volunteers, adoptable pets, and community members.

Construction on the state-of-the-art facility began in May 2022, resulting in a remarkable transformation of animal habitats, the adoption lobby, and outdoor exercise yards. The vibrant and colorful space will enhance the comfort and well-being of the resident pets while providing a better guest experience.

With an improved layout, there are now 58 dog rooms, 55 cat kennels, 11 communal cat rooms, and one large cat “aquarium” for multiple felines to stay, as well as 53 spaces for small pets. “This marks a new era for San Diego’s homeless animals,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, SDHS president and CEO. “Our renovated Adoptions Center represents a significant leap in animal welfare and will provide a better experience for countless pets in need. We believe these new habitats will increase visibility and result in shorter stays for our shelter residents, paving the way for brighter futures.”

In the past year, SDHS, which serves nearly 70% of San Diego County, has had significant issues with pet overcrowding, particularly with canines, setting a record for animals in its care. SDHS also observed a 20% increase in lost pets not retrieved by their owners. On Oct. 20, 2023, the organization set a new all-time high with 757 canines in its care.

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.

“We’ve never seen a year like this with dogs before,” said Weitzman. “October 2023 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.”
The community is invited to visit the new SDHS Adoptions Center to browse adoptable pets from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. SDHS also has locations in Escondido, El Cajon, and Oceanside. Through Feb. 18, all pets are 50% off adoption fees thanks to Purina. For more information and to view adoptable pets, visit sdhumane.org/adopt.

Adopting from SDHS serves these purposes:
– 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.

Key features of the remodeled Adoptions Center include:

– Calming enhancements to enclosures: Solar tubes for natural light, den-like housing for dogs to feel more secure, angled kennels so no dogs will have a direct view of each other, sound-proofed habitats, calming music, and pink noise, as well as improved drainage designs to allow staff to clean easier and spend more time with the animals.

– Dedicated space for small pets: Separate areas for small animals minimize stress and make it easier for visitors to view pets available for adoption.

– Expanded outdoor play areas: More play yards for dogs and outdoor “catios” for cats provide ample space for exercise and mental stimulation.