More than 30 sick and vulnerable cats and kittens from a crowded Stockton shelter have landed in San Diego, where the San Diego Humane Society is squeezing them in despite already operating near capacity. The group of 34 felines, a mix of fragile neonates and adult cats, arrived this winter with a laundry list of medical issues, including upper respiratory infections, scabies and ringworm.
San Diego Humane Society steps in
According to FOX5 San Diego, the animals were transported from a Northern California shelter in December 2025 and split among three San Diego Humane Society campuses. Twelve cats headed to the San Diego campus, 14 went to Oceanside and eight were taken in at Escondido. Staff moved quickly to put the newcomers into medical isolation and begin treatment for their various conditions before any of them can be cleared for adoption.
Medical care and quarantine
San Diego Humane Society officials say their shelter-medicine teams are focused on keeping contagious illnesses from spreading while stabilizing the sickest cats. Each animal will need both medical and behavioral clearance before appearing on the adoption floor, and some may move into foster homes to free up space and allow for longer-term care. Staff across the three campuses are coordinating treatment and monitoring for communicable issues like ringworm and upper respiratory infection.
Why Stockton sought help
The City of Stockton’s animal services division turned to outside organizations after an influx of sick animals collided with serious capacity problems, according to FOX5 San Diego. Animal-welfare workers note that transfers between shelters are a tried-and-true way to deal with sudden surges in kitten intake or localized disease outbreaks, shifting animals to places that can still make room.
How you can help
Locals who want to pitch in can head to the San Diego Humane Society’s website to browse adoption and fostering opportunities, donate toward medical costs or sign up as volunteers. The shelter says it can handle caring for this Stockton group, but stresses that foster homes are one of the fastest ways to open kennels for the next wave of animals in need. Current lists of adoptable pets and the organization’s most urgent needs are available on the site.
