Pilar Bahde (1927-2023)
Chuck Bahde (1925-2017)

We celebrate the extraordinary philanthropic impact of Pilar and Chuck Bahde, and their steadfast and transformative support of San Diego Humane Society.

The Bahde legacy is entrenched in San Diego Humane Society’s history, and Pilar and Chuck will forever be remembered for their incredible and unwavering commitment to animal welfare. Their support was instrumental in expanding our impact from serving 8,000 pets per year in 2003 to care for more than 40,000 companion and wild animals every year.

Pilar & Chuck were passionate about animals and philanthropy, and they were committed to leaving a legacy to help all the animals who call San Diego home. Their support over the years was not just instrumental in helping San Diego Humane Society get to — and stay at — zero euthanasia of healthy or treatable shelter animals, but also in providing a permanent, world-class facility to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured wild animals. The Bahdes’ generosity over 30 years of philanthropy helped pave the way for us to reach our ambitious goals and create a more humane world for us all.

Their gifts to expand our veterinary hospital and build and sustain our wildlife rehabilitation center were especially impactful. The renovation of our state-of-the-art Pilar & Chuck Bahde Center for Shelter Medicine allowed us to increase the number of animals served while also enabling our veterinary team to provide care above and beyond what is typically offered in a shelter environment.

Furthermore, their support to build the Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center (Bahde Wildlife Center) has helped establish San Diego Humane Society as a national leader in wildlife rehabilitation. The Bahde Wildlife Center has been home to thousands of animals since its opening in 2019 and continues to serve as our central hub for caring for orphaned, ill and injured wild animals in need of a second chance. Additionally, it remains home to an ambassador owl named in honor of Chuck.

Pilar and Chuck’s impact cannot be overstated, and their passion, kindness and generosity will be deeply missed. We are grateful to be part of their legacy and are proud to continue to honor their love of animals through the lifesaving work that they have made possible.

Timeline of Impact