Dog-lovers may adopt a furry companion as the San Diego Humane Society announced waived fees for all adult dogs over the weekend.
The Humane Society made the announcement on Thursday as officials see a large number of dogs available for adoption at the organization’s campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Diego.
“We have so many great dogs waiting to give a new family unconditional love,” said Jessica Des Lauriers, COO of San Diego Humane Society. “That’s why we are waiving adoption fees this Friday through Sunday in hopes of having people open their hearts and homes so that we can make space for more animals who need our help right now.’'
Approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats, according to the ASPCA. About 810,000 animals who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners. Of those, 710,000 are dogs and 100,000 are cats.
According to their most recent impact report, the San Diego Humane Society adopted out 13,214 pets using the virtual adoption process implemented during the pandemic, reunited 4,505 pets with families, admitted 13,378 stray animals, and took in 7,293 animals from people who could no longer care form them, and stayed at Zero euthanasia of healthy and treatable shelter animals.
"Protecting the bond between humans and animals was always a cornerstone of our work, but COVID-19 gave animal shelters across the country a new perspective about what that really means. As families throughout San Diego County faced job loss, housing challenges, and illness, our commitment to keeping pets with the people who love them became even more firmly positioned at the heart of all we do," Gary Weitzman, President, and CEO, San Diego Humane Society wrote in the impact report.
According to the San Diego Humane Society, adoption benefits include:
- an animal who has been assessed behaviorally and medically;
- a Humane Society adoption guarantee, training advice, pet supplies, and educational information to support pet families for the animal’s lifespan;
- a helpline with experts to ask about any behavior or training concerns;
- creating space in the shelter for other animals in need.
The San Diego Humane Society is open for walk-in adoptions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays at its campuses in Escondido, El Cajon, Oceanside, and San Diego.
To view animals currently available for adoption, go to sdhumane.org.
