Govind Tekale
The San Diego Humane Society hit a breaking point last Thursday. In just 24 hours, 274 animals arrived at their door, creating an overwhelming situation for the shelter. The shelter, now home to 1,678 animals, is struggling to keep up.
“It was an extraordinary day, unlike any other,” says Nina Thompson from the Humane Society. Staff members rushed to handle the flood of animals, knowing each one needed food, space, and medical care.
The day started with 96 guinea pigs from one home in Escondido. The owner, forced to move, couldn’t keep them anymore. These aren’t just regular pets – many might be pregnant, which means the number could grow even higher in the coming weeks. Each guinea pig needs its own space and medical check-ups.
Then came a surprise delivery to their El Cajon location: 50 baby chicks, left at the post office. Someone had ordered them online from Utah but never picked them up. The chicks will be up for adoption in five days if they’re not claimed by their owner.
The pressure kept mounting as 127 dogs and cats arrived throughout the day. Among them, 44 came from packed Los Angeles shelters that had run out of space. To top it off, tribal police found a starving horse abandoned on the San Pasqual Reservation. They brought it straight to the shelter – there was no time to wait.
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The shelter’s vet team jumped into action. Every animal needed checking, vaccines, and flea treatment. Many required immediate medical care. Staff spread the animals across different locations to make space, but they were already full before this happened. Right now, they’re getting about 50 new kittens every single day due to breeding season.
This isn’t just about numbers. Each animal has its own story, needs care, and deserves a home. The shelter won’t put down healthy animals – they’re committed to finding homes for all of them. That’s why they’ve cut adoption fees in half for the next week. You can now adopt a dog or cat for around $50.
Nina Thompson puts it simply: “If you’re not able to foster or adopt, we understand that’s a huge commitment, but that’s why donations are huge.” Even sharing their social media posts helps spread the word about animals needing homes.
The shelter’s staff faces tough choices every day. Where do they put new animals when they’re already full? How do they stretch their supplies to cover so many pets? Each morning brings more animals needing help, while the shelter works to meet increasing demands.
Behind each cage and kennel is a living being that needs daily care. The staff provides essential care for every animal, hoping someone will give them a permanent home. Some pets need extra medical attention before they can be adopted.
This crisis shows how quickly things can spiral when too many pets need help at once. It’s not just about one busy day – it’s about a community system struggling to care for its animals. The Humane Society keeps working, but they need help. Whether through adoption, fostering, or donations, every bit of support means another animal gets a chance at a better life.
