COVID-19 Updates

LAST UPDATE APRIL 1, 9:00AM

Temporary Change in Services

All San Diego Humane Society shelters are open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. by appointment only for adoptions, Lost & Found and to relinquish a pet (see more info below). Please call 619-299-7012.

We are also providing the following services to our community:

• Pet licensing can be completed online here.
• Project Wildlife will accept injured and orphaned wild animals at our Bahde Wildlife Center at 5433 Gaines St., San Diego.
• Humane Law Enforcement is responding to priority calls.
• Exceptional care for the animals in our shelter continues.
• Fostering animals is especially critical right now, since we anticipate fewer people will be coming in to adopt pets amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Thanks to our incredible volunteers, we do not currently need fosters, but that may change in the coming days. If you would like to help us be prepared for that eventuality, you can sign up here.

Pet Food and Supplies

Pet families who need extra help during the COVID-19 pandemic can turn to us. Through the PAWS San Diego pantry program, anyone can visit SDHS’s campus locations in Escondido, Oceanside or San Diego between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to pick up a bag of dog or cat food, as well as other supplies, such as cat litter, pet treats and more while supplies last.

In-Kind Donations

We are only accepting in-kind donations purchased directly through our AmazonSmile® Charity Wish List. We are so grateful for your generosity and understanding as we prioritize the safety of our human and animal friends.

For Your Kids: Humane at Home

We’ve launched a new Facebook live series, “Humane at Home.” Our education team is sharing amazing content three times a week to educate children and adults alike. So far we’ve met a one-eyed screech owl named Chuck, learned how to train dogs, met some adoptable animals and learned about a gopher named Pockets! Tune in Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 p.m. to watch live with your kids, so you can ask questions and post comments in real time. You can see all of the past videos on our website here.

Appointments for Services

Before coming for your appointment:

To protect the health of our staff, volunteers and guests, if you are experiencing any symptoms, or if you're in an “at risk” category as defined by the CDC and the State of California, we strongly ask that you not come in. Take care of yourself and we'll see you soon.

When you arrive for an appointment:

Please expect a pop-up guest check-in outside before you enter the campus. From there we can route to you to your destination. We’re also asking guests to wash their hands at the entrance to the shelter where we have portable hand-washing stations. All areas are being regularly sanitized, and janitorial services have increased cleaning protocol for public spaces.

Adoptions

In light of the state order to Stay at Home, our adoptions process is currently by appointment only. If you would like to schedule an appointment to adopt an animal, please call 619-299-7012. You will be set up with an adoption counselor for a virtual appointment before the adoption can take place.

It is imperative that we continue to find homes for the animals in our care. The flow of animals into shelters will not cease due to COVID-19, so we are pleased to be able to continue providing adoption services in this way.

Found a lost pet?

• San Diego Humane Society is admitting stray animals at all three locations between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• If you find a stray animal outside of these hours and are able to keep the animal overnight, please do so, and call us in the morning. If you are unable to safely care for the animal overnight, call us during the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., or call your local law enforcement agency outside those hours, and they will contact our on-call Humane Officers.

• However, if you are in a position to keep the animal in your home while searching for its family, please consider doing so. Visit our lost and found page for tips on searching for an owner, and notify us by email at [email protected] to file a report so we can assist you with reuniting the pet with their family.

What about a healthy adult cat or kittens who lives outside?

• We will not be accepting cats who live outside unless they are sick or injured. This decision has been made due to our temporary suspension of elective surgeries, including spay/neuter procedures, at the guidance of public health and shelter medicine specialists. You can learn more here.

• If you’ve found kittens who are being cared for by their mother and seem healthy, please leave them with their mother. If the kittens are sick, injured or in danger, please call us at 619-299-7012 to make an appointment to bring them to one of our locations. For more information about whether kittens should be brought to the shelter, please visit this web page for instructions.

• If you think kittens are abandoned, you can help us by raising them in your home! Follow our orphan kitten care guidelines.

Need to relinquish your pet?

• We understand the need for some owners to relinquish their pets. At this time, we strongly encourage owners to hold onto their pets. Please consider keeping your pet until the state-wide stay-at-home order is lifted.

• Our website also has resources that will help you find a new home for your pet. The full toolkit to re-home your pet yourself can be found here.

• Additionally, you may visit our website to learn about resources that may help you keep your pet by addressing medical, behavioral and other concerns.

• If you must relinquish your pet at this time, call 619-299-7012 to schedule an appointment.

Found injured or orphaned wildlife?

• Our Project Wildlife program rehabilitates injured, orphaned and ill wildlife, and is currently accepting these animals at the Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center, located at 5433 Gaines St., San Diego, CA 92110. If you absolutely can’t make it to this location, animals may also be dropped off at our Oceanside and Escondido campuses.

• Before capturing a wild animal, please review this information to ensure intervention is needed.