Mid-year results: 20,000 animals helped. Thousands of lives saved.
It’s been half a year since we began providing animal services in six additional cities, and the impact has been monumental for the San Diego Region. We’re serving more than 2.2 million people across 620-square-miles, and our Humane Law Enforcement division is now among the largest in California.
San Diego Humane Society expects to care for nearly 50,000 animals in 2019—double the number we have helped in the past.
In those six months, we:
- Took in 15,944 homeless companion animals.
- Cared for 1,289 neonate kittens in our nursery, and another 3,900 juvenile kittens.
- Altered 9,773 pets: 2,304 of which were through our community spay/neuter program.
- Recruited 1,083 foster families who opened their homes to 2,653 animals.
- Responded to 12,556 field calls.
- Admitted 4,616 wild animals to our Project Wildlife program.
- Provided 465,407 meals for PAWS San Diego clients; and 427,147 meals for Rescue Partners.
- Enrolled 233 new animals to the Behavior Center and performed 430 training consultations to families adopting new pets.
Each of these numbers represents a life. Like the #84Birds we recently rescued from a one-bedroom apartment in Rancho Bernardo. Most of the birds were cockatiels flying freely inside the unit, living in unsanitary conditions. We were able to get the birds to safety where they’re receiving all the care they need as we work toward getting them ready for adoption. This remains an open investigation for our Humane Law Enforcement division.
Or the nine, 10-day old puppies who were just abandoned inside a sealed bag at a park in Escondido. Our Humane Officers rescued the puppies who are recovering in the comfort of foster homes. They’re getting plenty of love and nourishment, until they’re old enough for adoption.
We’re proud to be entrusted with this role but we couldn’t do this important work without you. With your support, we’re truly changing the landscape of our community for vulnerable animals and the people who care about them. Thank you for helping us create a more humane San Diego.
Gary Weitzman, DVM, MPH, CAWA
President and CEO, San Diego Humane Society
Published: February 15, 2019
