What started as a mysterious bad smell at a South Bay property turned into a full-on cat rescue, after more than 30 felines were removed from a San Diego home, according to the city and the San Diego Humane Society. Officers found the cats living in poor conditions and spent days carefully rounding them up. The animals are now at the San Diego Humane Society campus, where staff say they are, surprisingly, in generally good health.
How The Rescue Unfolded
In a Facebook post, San Diego Humane Society said a property owner in the 92154 ZIP code called authorities about a suspicious smell. When police checked the home, they discovered dozens of cats inside, all living in poor conditions.
According to the post, Humane Law Enforcement officers with San Diego Humane Society then spent several days at the scene, carefully securing more than 30 shy and fearful cats before transporting them to the organization’s San Diego campus.
Where The Cats Are Now
Once removed from the home, the cats were taken to the San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego campus for triage, veterinary care and behavior support. According to the San Diego Humane Society, the organization operates on-site medical and behavior programs designed to help animals recover from neglect and get them ready for adoption or other placement.
How To Report Concerns And Get Help
People who are struggling to care for a pet, or who witness possible neglect, are urged to reach out before a situation spirals. San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement dispatch can be reached at 619-299-7012, and the City of San Diego reporting portal also directs residents to the shelter for animal-related emergencies.
The shelter notes that it offers resources and support for overwhelmed pet owners, including help for those who are having trouble keeping their animals at home.
A Wider Strain On Shelters
This is not the first large-scale intervention local animal-welfare workers have handled this year. In May, as reported by KPBS, San Diego Humane Society and partner agencies removed hundreds of animals from a Julian sanctuary, an operation that officials said could ultimately be referred to the District Attorney for review.
In the case of the South Bay cats, San Diego Humane Society has said the animals are in generally good health and will have bright futures in new homes. The organization is encouraging people to adopt or foster to help free up space for future rescues. Those interested can see who is available or learn more about support programs at the San Diego Humane Society.
