In a bid to alleviate the burden on overcrowded shelters in San Diego, the local humane society has made an unprecedented move, sending over 300 small pets to Arizona on August 7, 2023, for a new chance at finding their forever homes.
San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) staff began loading the 318 rabbits, Guinea pigs, hamsters, and rats into an air-conditioned truck early in the morning, marking the largest transport in the organization's history. This action follows a record-breaking number of animals in their care, with the SDHS facilities currently at 175% capacity for dogs and 176% capacity for cats, reported NBC San Diego.
These small pets are headed to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSAZ) in Tucson, where the inventory of available small animals for adoption is comparatively low. Additional support from local rescue partners has been enlisted to facilitate placing the pets into homes, ensuring the best chances for finding new families for these furry friends, per the Fox 5 San Diego report.
The record-breaking number of animals in SDHS care is attributed to a pause in spay and neuter services during the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with people moving and being unable to take their pets with them, and the prevailing economic conditions, as Nina Thompson of San Diego Humane Society mentioned while speaking with NBC San Diego.
With their shelters bursting at the seams, the SDHS is urging the public to help by volunteering or fostering animals in their care, with details on fostering available on their website. They also implore pet owners considering relinquishing their pets to utilize the resources provided at sdhumane.org/rehome, which may provide alternative options to bringing pets to the shelter, as suggested by Patch.
While the mass transport of these small animals offers a momentary reprieve for the overcrowded shelters in San Diego, the situation still remains critical, and continued support from the community is highly sought after. For the animals making their way to Arizona, the fresh start brings the potential for a new lease on life as they embark on a multispecies journey toward happiness in loving homes awaiting their arrival.
In a heartwarming twist, after the small animals are safely settled in their Arizona facility, SDHS staff plan to bring back nine-year-old dog, Bulma, who has been in Arizona's shelter since February. The hope is that specialized care at SDHS's Behavior Center may help Bulma find a home back in sunny California, thus ensuring that she too gets her chance at a happy ending.
