Shelters Reaching Capacity as Thousands of Cats and Dogs Await Homes
San Diego Humane Society joins animal welfare organizations across nation to ask public for help.
SAN DIEGO — Animal shelters and rescues across the nation continue to see more animals entering than leaving. This means more adoptable animals waiting for homes, which is straining the resources of shelters. To address the problem, San Diego Humane Society has joined animal welfare advocates, shelters and rescues across the country in launching Share the Care, a campaign highlighting the powerful impact people can have on homeless animals in their community through even the smallest acts of kindness. People are urged to learn how and where help is needed at San Diego Humane Society by visiting joinsharethecare.org.
The newly launched Share the Care campaign illustrates the critical role the community plays in creating positive outcomes for cats, dogs and other companion animals. Opportunities like adopting, fostering, volunteering, donating, or even sharing adoptable animals on social media can help give animals a second chance at a wonderful life.
Dana was found stray in November of 2020. She was about 4 years old and in good shape, so it was clear that someone had previously cared for her. However, no one came to claim her from San Diego Humane Society. Months have turned into years and Dana is still waiting for her family today. Dana is a pure joy. She’s active and loves adventures. She’s captured the hearts of staff, volunteers — even children who attended Animal Adventure Camp and drew her pictures — but she hasn’t been adopted yet.
Unfortunately, Dana isn’t alone. Animal shelters across the country are packed with dogs and cats with nowhere to go. It’s a drastically different situation than in 2020, when shelters and rescues saw overwhelming demand for adoptable pets. For the past 18 months, the number of pets leaving shelters has steadily dropped, bringing shelters to or near full capacity. At San Diego Humane Society, there are more than 1,700 animals in care, with more than 500 of them available for adoption, ready for new homes.
There are many ways the community can help homeless pets like Dana by participating in the Share the Care campaign:
- Adopting a pet is the most immediate and impactful way to help. See available pets at sdhumane.org/adopt.
- Fostering, which means volunteers temporarily care for animals in their own homes, increases a shelter’s capacity to house more animals. It also gives animals a break from the shelter, and the chance to learn about life in a new home! Sign up at sdhumane.org/foster.
- Promoting adoptable animals through social media spreads the word.
- Volunteering and donating to support the lifesaving work of shelters. Visit sdhumane.org to learn more!
- Preventing pets from entering shelters in the first place, through reuniting lost pets with their owners and rehoming pets directly into new families. Learn more at sdhumane.org/found.
“We rely on our community to partner with us all year and that’s especially true right now,” said San Diego Humane Society President and CEO Dr. Gary Weitzman. “Small actions make a big impact, and everyone can do something to make a difference for animals in need.”
“Without significant and immediate support from the public, data analysis of the past few years predicts adoptions will continue to decrease,” said Stephanie Filer, executive director for Shelter Animals Count.
For more information on specific actions you can take to help save animals’ lives and to pledge your support, visit joinsharethecare.org.
Published: September 19, 2022
