San Diego Humane Society Faces Severe Record-Breaking Overcrowding
Animal shelters across the country are struggling to keep up with record numbers of intakes — and San Diego is no exception. The San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) is sounding the alarm after reporting extreme overcrowding across all of its campuses, with its El Cajon location operating at 248% capacity.
“It is a mind-boggling number,” said Nina Thompson, Director of Public Relations for SDHS. “The amount of animals that we see come in on a daily basis is truly incredible right now.”
The overflow has reached the point where some employees are housing animals in their offices, while others have had to place multiple dogs in kennels designed for just one.
A Countywide Crisis
As of early October, SDHS is caring for nearly 2,000 animals across its campuses — including 770 dogs and 897 cats. With just 405 dog kennels, the math doesn’t add up.
Here’s how capacity looks across the region:
El Cajon Campus: 248% capacity
Escondido Campus: 159% capacity
Oceanside Campus: 192% capacity
San Diego Campus: 182% capacity
September 2025 marked a grim milestone, with an average of 726 dogs in care each day — the highest September total in SDHS history.
And this isn’t a problem unique to San Diego. Shelters nationwide are reporting similar trends: large dogs are staying longer, adoption rates are down, and more animals are being surrendered or found as strays than ever before.
Why Are Shelters So Full?
Despite major adoption campaigns like Clear the Shelters and Empty the Shelters, the intake numbers continue to outpace adoptions.
In 2025, adoptions at SDHS are down 12% compared to last year, even as thousands of animals have found homes. For every pet adopted, more are entering the system.
Contributing factors include:
Housing and financial instability, forcing pet owners to surrender animals.
Post-pandemic trends, with fewer fosters and adoptions as people return to busier lifestyles.
Unclaimed strays, many of whom never make it back to their owners.
Overcrowding affects more than space — it impacts animal welfare. Stress, illness, and behavioral decline all become more likely when shelters are over capacity.
How You Can Help
Dr. Gary Weitzman, SDHS President and CEO, is urging the community to take action:
“By opening your home to a shelter pet, you’re not only saving that animal’s life, but you’re also making room for the next one who needs us,” he said. “Right now, every adoption truly matters.”
To help ease the strain, SDHS is participating in Bissell Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” event from October 1–15, 2025, offering $50 adoption fees for adult dogs and cats.
Adopting a pet doesn’t just change their life — it can change yours, too.
Why Adoption Matters
You save a life. Every adoption opens a kennel for another animal in need.
You stay active. Daily walks and playtime benefit both pets and people.
You reduce stress. Studies show interacting with animals lowers anxiety and boosts mood.
You improve heart health. Pet owners often enjoy lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
You build connections. Pets bring joy, companionship, and a stronger sense of community.
Adopt or Get Involved
SDHS is open for walk-in adoptions Tuesday through Sunday at its El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Diego campuses.
Adoption Hours:
Tuesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
To view adoptable pets, visit sdhumane.org/adopt.
Even if you can’t adopt right now, you can make a difference by:
Fostering a dog or cat temporarily.
Donating to help fund medical care and enrichment.
Volunteering your time to walk dogs or socialize cats.
Sharing adoptable pets on social media to help them find homes faster.
The Bottom Line
Shelters like SDHS are doing everything they can — but they can’t do it alone. The overcrowding crisis highlights an urgent truth: adoption saves lives, and right now, every open home counts.
If you’ve been thinking about adopting, there’s never been a more meaningful time to act.
Learn more or find your new best friend at sdhumane.org/adopt.
Sources:
San Diego Humane Society Press Release, October 1, 2025
NBC 7 San Diego, “San Diego Humane Society’s El Cajon Campus at 248% Capacity” (Oct. 5, 2025)
San Diego Humane Society internal capacity data
