Press Releases

SAN DIEGO — On this World Wildlife Conservation Day, San Diego Humane Society is celebrating that its Project Wildlife Program has successfully released a rehabilitated hoary bat, fitted with a lightweight Motus tracking transmitter. This marks the first time a hoary bat in Southern California has been equipped with this technology.

SAN DIEGO — A man was sentenced today, Dec. 1, 2025, in a case involving the rescue of 33 animals from his San Ysidro home in August 2024. After San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement successfully brought animal cruelty charges against him, Gary Marks has been banned from owning an animal for 10 years, and his sentencing includes a Fourth Amendment Waiver (allowing law enforcement to search his home without a warrant) and mandated mental health treatment.

This Black Friday, San Diego Humane Society is asking community members to use their shopping savings to help save lives. Thanks to a generous $50,000 match by The JEM Project, gifts received by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2025, will be doubled to make twice the impact. To donate, visit sdhumane.org/GT. And you don’t have to wait for Tuesday, as each gift made starting now will go twice as far — dollar for dollar — to change lives.

As we deck the halls and indulge in festive treats for the holidays, San Diego Humane Society reminds pet owners to keep their furry friends safe and comfortable this season.

With rain expected through the weekend and into next week, San Diego Humane Society is reminding pet owners to prepare. From ensuring pets stay safe and dry, to indoor enrichment ideas, here are 5 tips for keeping pets healthy and happy on rainy days:

San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) has launched a new Adoption Trial Program. This program is designed for potential adopters who want to see how a pet fits into their home before making a lifelong commitment.

The program bridges the gap between fostering — which is an intentionally temporary commitment — and adopting. Rather than signing up as foster volunteers, participants act as “trial adopters” — bringing home a specific adult animal (7 months and up) with the intent to adopt, while having up to 14 days to ensure the pet is the right match. Community members are eligible for this program if they live within SDHS’s jurisdiction.

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a package of bills expanding access to veterinary care and strengthening California’s commitment to animal welfare. The new legislation will address the state’s critical shortage of veterinary professionals, improve care for pets in need and ensure animals receive timely, affordable treatment.

Two coyote pups who arrived at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center as orphans are now beginning a new chapter at the Virginia Living Museum, after staff determined they could not safely return to the wild.

Eleven dogs and two cats are safe, after San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement carried out a 4-day rescue effort at an abandoned apartment in Vista. The landlord reached out for help after not seeing their tenant for several weeks. With the support of the Sheriff’s Department, officers entered the unit on Oct. 1 and found dogs living in hoarding-like conditions.

San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) is calling on the community to step up for animals in urgent need of homes. To make adoption easier, the organization is participating in Bissell Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters national adoption event, offering $50 adoption fees for adult dogs and cats, Oct. 1-15, 2025.