San Diego Humane Society Extends Adoption Hours Amid Pet Population Surge

The organization is keeping shelters open longer to help find homes for over 1,400 animals in its care.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:23pm

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A blurred, intimate photograph of a person's hand gently petting a cat or dog, with the animal's face in soft focus and the background a hazy, colorful wash, conveying the emotional connection between people and their pets.The San Diego Humane Society's extended adoption hours aim to connect more pets with loving families during a surge in the local shelter population.San Diego Today

The San Diego Humane Society is expanding its pet adoption hours to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at all four of its county campuses. The move comes as the organization has seen a 22% increase in the number of animals in its care compared to last year, with over 1,470 pets currently housed across its shelters. Officials say the average length of stay has also increased from 55 to 67 days, while adoption rates have dropped 10%.

Why it matters

The San Diego Humane Society's decision to extend adoption hours is an effort to make it more convenient for the community to visit their shelters and find homes for the growing number of pets in need. With shelters across the country facing overcrowding issues, initiatives like this can play a crucial role in reducing euthanasia rates and ensuring more animals find loving families.

The details

The San Diego Humane Society has expanded its adoption hours to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at all four of its county campuses, including locations in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Diego. The extended hours will be in effect until September 13th. Officials say the organization is currently caring for around 1,470 animals, a 22% increase compared to the same time last year. Additionally, the average length of stay for animals has risen from 55 to 67 days, while adoption rates have dropped 10%.

  • The extended adoption hours went into effect on Friday, April 15, 2026.
  • The expanded hours will be in place until September 13, 2026.

The players

San Diego Humane Society

A nonprofit organization that provides animal welfare services, including pet adoption, in San Diego County, California.

Dr. Gary Weitzman

The president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society.

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What they’re saying

“We are working harder than ever to make adoption the best option for anyone looking to add a pet to their family. By extending our hours, we hope to make it more convenient for the community to visit our campuses and meet the more than 700 wonderful animals who are ready for their new families.”

— Dr. Gary Weitzman, President and CEO, San Diego Humane Society

What’s next

The San Diego Humane Society will continue to monitor the pet population and adoption rates in the coming months to determine if further adjustments to their hours or operations are necessary.

The takeaway

The San Diego Humane Society's decision to extend adoption hours is a proactive step to address the growing number of pets in need of homes in the region. By making it more convenient for the community to visit their shelters, the organization hopes to increase adoptions and find loving families for the hundreds of animals currently in their care.