Community
San Diego Humane Society reports record dog crowding
The nonprofit cared for a record 766 adult dogs in August and was operating at 162% of its dog capacity when Axios reported the figures.
Image credit: Indra Beaufort / U.S. Navy, public domain; archival January 2026 animal-shelter photo in Bahrain, not San Diego Humane Society
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Axios San Diego reported September 22 that the San Diego Humane Society reached a record 766 adult dogs in its care during August, up from 690 a year earlier. A Humane Society spokesperson said the organization was operating at 162% of its capacity for dogs. Recent large intakes from households facing eviction added to crowding that had already been building.
What it means locally
The Humane Society attributed the pressure to several overlapping factors, including housing costs, pet restrictions in rental housing, rising veterinary expenses and dogs arriving without having been spayed or neutered. The nonprofit said adoptions had increased but were not keeping pace with intake.
The organization is encouraging residents to adopt, foster or volunteer. Axios reported that adoption fees for dogs and cats were reduced to $50 through the end of September. People who cannot adopt can also help through short-term fostering or the Dog Day Out program; the Humane Society covers foster food, supplies and medical care. The accompanying U.S. Navy photograph is illustrative and was not taken at a San Diego Humane Society facility.
Full report and further details: Read original report →