Since 2015, the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition has been dedicated to ensuring San Diego County Stays at Zero euthanasia of healthy or treatable shelter animals.
Through this partnership, our shelters, rescue groups and animal welfare organizations stand together to provide the most vulnerable animals in our region with a safety net they can count on.
Saving lives takes all of us. It takes a community. It’s only through the compassion and support of the animal lovers who call San Diego home that we’re able to give a second chance to every homeless pet in need.
Pets of the Month
The animals we highlight as our Pets of the Month are wonderful, deserving shelter pets being cared for in our coalition shelters and rescue groups. These animals represent our community’s collective commitment to being there for the pets who need us the most – those who, in so many other communities throughout the country, may not get the second chance they deserve.
Each of these animals has been waiting patiently for a loving family of their own — could it be you?
Kawahi
Age: 3 years
Sex: Male
Rescue Group: County of San Diego Animal Services
Smart and sweet, Kawahi has been patiently waiting since December for his new family. If his adorable face hasn't stolen your heart yet, his charming personality certainly will!
Negra
Age: Adult
Sex: Female
Rescue Group: Friends of Cats
Negra is a gentle soul who loves cozy spots for naps, quiet companionship and plenty of soothing head scratches.
Sprinkles
Age: 8 years
Sex: Female
Rescue Group: Frosted Faces Foundation
Sprinkles is affectionate, loyal and happiest right by her people’s side. House-trained and playful, she’s learning and blossoming more each day — with patience and love, she’s ready to become a truly special companion.
Kiara
Age: 4 years
Sex: Female
Rescue Group: Paws of Coronado
Kiara is the perfect mix of playful and affectionate, always excited for walks, new friends and any chance to soak up some love and attention.
Onyx & Ink
Age: 1 & 1 years old
Sex: Males
Rescue Group: San Diego House Rabbit Society
Two peas in a pod, Ink and Onyx are a lively duo of young boys who love digging, playing and keeping each other entertained. Well-behaved and big fans of treats, veggies, hay and anything tasty, they’re ready to hop into a home together.
Chris
Sex: Male
Rescue Group: San Diego Humane Society
Chris (#950920) is ready to start his next chapter in a loving home where he can enjoy the royal treatment he deserves. With a spacious setup, plenty of timothy hay, fresh greens and his favorite vitamin C treats, he’ll thrive.
Animal Shelters are in a State of Emergency
San Diego County’s leading animal welfare organizations join to urge the community to act now
San Diego’s leading animal welfare organizations have come together to raise awareness about the critical state of animal shelters in San Diego County. In a press conference on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day in 2024, 11 organizations asked the community to join them in saving lives by adopting, fostering and spaying and neutering their pets, before the situation becomes even more urgent during the busier summer months. You can see what the press conference looked like here:
City of Chula Vista Animal Services, East County Animal Rescue, Feral Cat Coalition, Friends of Cats, Frosted Faces Foundation, PAWS of Coronado, Rancho Coastal Humane Society, San Diego County Department of Animal Services, San Diego House Rabbit Society, San Diego Humane Society and Spay Neuter Action Project are all committed to staying at zero euthanasia of healthy or treatable shelter pets. However, sustaining this achievement is becoming increasingly difficult as local shelters and rescues are over capacity with animals.
Here's how the community can help:
Adopt
Adopting saves lives, and there are thousands of pets available at shelters and local rescues right now. From puppies and kittens to senior companions and small pets like rabbits and guinea pigs —shelters are overflowing with deserving animals in need of adoption. View pets available for adoption:
Foster
This is a critical – and temporary – way you can help save lives. By opening your home to foster a pet, you give them relief from the stress of the shelter and create space for other animals in need. Become a foster volunteer today by visiting any of our partner websites above or sdhumane.org/foster.
Spay/Neuter
Increasing the number of spayed/neutered animals is the only way to stop the crisis of pet overpopulation at its root. Reduced access to spay/neuter services during the pandemic exacerbated the challenges facing our shelters. We urge our community to prevent unintended litters by having their pets spayed or neutered, and supporting local programs that provide spay/neuter resources for owned animals and community cats. For a list of organizations providing affordable spay/neuter services, please visit our Reduced Fee Spay and Neuter Services page.
We are committed to “Staying at Zero” euthanasia of healthy or treatable shelter pets, but we need our community to act now to ensure San Diego County remains a safe and compassionate haven for animals. Please adopt, foster and spay/neuter before this state of emergency becomes a devastating crisis for animals and the people who love them.
