San Diego Humane Society Extends Summer Adoption Hours

The organization aims to help clear crowded shelters by making adoptions more accessible.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:23pm

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A blurred, impressionistic photograph of a person's hands gently petting a dog's head, with the background a soft, warm-toned blur of color and light, conveying a sense of comfort and connection between human and animal.The San Diego Humane Society's extended summer adoption hours aim to connect more pets with loving homes in a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere.San Diego Today

The San Diego Humane Society announced that it is extending adoption hours at its four campuses across the city, keeping them open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday starting April 17 and running through September 13. The move is an effort to help clear crowded shelters, as the organization has seen a 22% increase in animals in its care compared to the start of 2025, with the biggest jump being in dog intakes.

Why it matters

With more animals in shelters and adoption rates down nearly 10% compared to last year, the extended hours aim to make it more convenient for the community to visit and meet the over 700 animals ready for adoption at SDHS campuses across San Diego.

The details

SDHS President and CEO Gary Weitzman said the organization is "working harder than ever to make adoption the best option for anyone looking to add a pet to their family." The extended hours will apply to the adoption centers at SDHS' El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside and San Diego locations.

  • The extended summer hours will begin on April 17, 2026 and run through September 13, 2026.
  • SDHS entered 2026 with a 22% increase in animals compared to the start of 2025, a trend that has continued into early April 2026.

The players

San Diego Humane Society

A non-profit organization that operates animal shelters and provides animal welfare services across San Diego County.

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.”

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

What’s next

SDHS will continue to monitor adoption rates and animal intakes throughout the summer to determine if the extended hours have the desired impact of helping clear crowded shelters.

The takeaway

The San Diego Humane Society's decision to extend summer adoption hours reflects the organization's commitment to finding loving homes for the growing number of animals in its care. This proactive step aims to make the adoption process more accessible to the community and alleviate the strain on local animal shelters.