San Diego Humane Society: Adoption, Lost Pets, Services and Locations
San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) provides pet adoption, shelter services, animal protection, wildlife rehabilitation and support for pet families. Use this guide to choose the appropriate service, find a campus, report an animal concern or prepare for an adoption or surrender appointment.
Animal-related emergency within San Diego Humane Society's jurisdiction: Call 619-299-7012 and press 1. For immediate danger to human life, call 911. Outside the organization's jurisdiction, contact the responsible animal control agency.
Independent guide. This website is not affiliated with San Diego Humane Society. Use the organization's official channels for reports, appointments and personal documents. Confirm current hours, fees and program availability before visiting.
Which Service or Agency Should You Contact?
San Diego Humane Society is a local, independent animal welfare organization. Its animal protection and municipal shelter responsibilities depend on location. Other programs, including adoption, wildlife assistance and pet food support, have their own participation rules.
| What you need | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Report an injured domestic animal, suspected cruelty or another urgent animal concern | Use the emergency contact above for incidents within SDHS jurisdiction, or the responsible animal control agency elsewhere. |
| Adopt a pet | Review the official adoption process, then visit the campus where the animal is located. |
| Find a missing pet or report a found animal | Use the Lost and Found Pets page and identify the location where the animal disappeared or was found. |
| Help injured, sick or possibly orphaned wildlife | Follow the species-specific instructions in the Wildlife Help Hub. |
| Purchase or renew a dog license | Check your address and licensing options through San Diego Humane Society's DocuPet portal. |
| Find affordable veterinary care or pet food | Check the veterinary service programs or Community Pet Pantry. |
| Arrange an owner surrender or adoption return | Call 619-299-7012 to arrange an appointment. |
Animal protection service area
San Diego Humane Society handles animal complaints for Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista.
For calls outside those cities, its official jurisdiction information identifies these starting points:
| Location | Agency | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista and Lemon Grove | Chula Vista Animal Care and Control | 619-476-2476 |
| Coronado | Coronado Police Department | 619-522-7350 |
| National City | National City Police Department | 619-336-4411 |
| Unincorporated San Diego County | County of San Diego Department of Animal Services | 619-236-2341 |
Use the exact incident or found-animal location when selecting an agency. If the jurisdiction is unclear, check the lookup linked from the Humane Law and Animal Protection page. A mailing city or ZIP Code alone may not establish the responsible agency.
Campus Locations and Visit Planning
Confirm both the service and the address before traveling. San Diego admissions and adoptions use different entrances, and Oceanside has separate facilities for dogs and for cats and small animals.
| Location | Address | Visit information |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Campus — Admissions | 5480 Gaines St. San Diego, CA 92110 |
Admissions entrance; also listed for Community Pet Pantry distribution. |
| San Diego Campus — Adoptions | 5500 Gaines St. San Diego, CA 92110 |
Adoptions and the organization's mailing address. |
| El Cajon Campus | 1373 N. Marshall Ave. El Cajon, CA 92020 |
Regional campus serving El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee. |
| Escondido Campus | 3500 Burnet Drive Escondido, CA 92027 |
Regional campus serving Escondido, Poway and San Marcos. |
| Oceanside Campus — Dogs | 2905 San Luis Rey Road Oceanside, CA 92058 |
Dog facility. |
| Oceanside Campus — Cats and Small Animals | 572 Airport Road Oceanside, CA 92058 |
Cats and small animals; also listed for Community Pet Pantry distribution. |
| Pilar and Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center | 5433 Gaines St. San Diego, CA 92110 |
Primary Project Wildlife drop-off location. |
| Ramona Wildlife Center | 18740 Highland Valley Road Ramona, CA 92065 |
Confirm species-specific intake instructions before transporting wildlife. |
The Oceanside campuses serve Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Oceanside, Solana Beach and Vista. The San Diego Campus is described as serving central and southern San Diego. These regional descriptions do not mean that every service is offered at every entrance.
Use the official Hours and Locations page for the selected campus's current schedule. Adoption hours, general business hours and wildlife intake hours can differ. Call 619-299-7012 if the time or destination is unclear.
Adoption, Fees and Trial Placements
Adoptions are completed in person on a first-come, first-served basis. Browse available animals through the official adoption page and note the animal's campus before visiting. An online listing does not reserve the animal.
An adoption counselor helps you understand the pet's available history and care needs. For details about visiting, identification and transportation, see:
Fees and included services
Fees vary by species and age, and advertised promotions may temporarily change the amount. Check the fee schedule on the official adoption page for the animal you are considering, including any additional campus fees or charges for a pet carrier.
Depending on the animal, adoption benefits may include spay or neuter surgery, current vaccinations, microchip identification and a certificate for a complimentary veterinary examination. A one-year dog license is included for qualifying adopters in participating cities. Ask the counselor which benefits apply and whether any follow-up care is needed.
The organization also publishes military adoption discounts. Confirm current eligibility and any required documentation before checkout.
Adoption trials
The Adoption Trial Program offers eligible prospective adopters up to 14 days with an eligible adult pet before finalizing an adoption. Participants must live within SDHS jurisdiction, and the animal must remain within San Diego County during the trial.
Ask an adoption counselor whether the selected animal qualifies and review the trial instructions on the official adoption process page. Confirm the agreement's eligibility, medical-care and return requirements. A trial is intended for someone considering adoption of a specific pet; fostering provides temporary care while an animal remains available for adoption.
SDHS also offers post-adoption behavior support and an Adoption Guarantee. If you need to return an adopted pet, review the rehoming, surrender and return information below.
Lost and Found Pets
The official Lost and Found Pets page provides separate instructions for a missing pet and a found animal. Start with the option that matches your situation.
If your pet is missing
Use the official lost-pet resources to check found-animal listings and identify the shelter or animal services provider covering the area where your pet disappeared.
For guidance on checking shelter listings and following up on a possible match, see how to find out whether your lost pet is at a shelter.
If you find an animal
Record the exact location and time the animal was found. The responsible shelter or animal control agency depends on that location, which may differ from your home address.
Follow the official found-pet instructions before transporting the animal to a campus. For an injured animal or an active safety concern, contact the responsible dispatch service. Do not put yourself at risk trying to catch an animal.
Animal Reports and Wildlife Assistance
Report an animal concern
Within its jurisdiction, San Diego Humane Society responds to concerns such as injured animals, suspected cruelty or neglect, dog bites, stray or dangerous animals, animal noise and off-leash dogs.
For an active animal-related emergency within SDHS jurisdiction: Call 619-299-7012 and press 1. Follow the dispatch prompts and any recorded instructions. For immediate danger to human life, call 911.
For non-emergency reporting options, use the Humane Law and Animal Protection page. Provide:
- The exact address or location.
- The type and number of animals involved.
- What you personally observed and when.
- Whether the situation is happening now and what immediate danger exists.
For leash violations at City of San Diego parks and beaches, SDHS directs residents to the City's Get It Done system for park ranger follow-up. Active animal emergencies should be reported by telephone.
Injured, sick or possibly orphaned wildlife
Use the Wildlife Help Hub to select the animal's category and determine whether intervention is needed. A young animal alone is not necessarily orphaned.
Follow the species-specific instructions before handling or moving the animal. If the guidance calls for temporary containment, follow its directions for a suitable container and a quiet holding area. Do not offer food or water or attempt ongoing care yourself.
The primary drop-off location is the Pilar and Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center at 5433 Gaines St., San Diego. The Help Hub also identifies alternative drop-off options in Oceanside, Escondido and Ramona. Confirm the appropriate facility, animal type and intake hours before traveling.
For a dangerous situation, use the emergency contact above. Do not attempt to capture or transport dangerous wildlife without professional instructions.
Dog Licensing, Veterinary Care and Pet Food
Purchase or renew a dog license
San Diego Humane Society partners with DocuPet for dog licensing in participating cities. Use the SDHS DocuPet licensing portal to check whether your address is covered and review applications, renewals, current fees and document instructions.
Prepare your dog's rabies vaccination certificate and any required proof of spay or neuter. The official dog licensing page also explains mail and in-person options. Rabies-exemption applications require veterinary documentation and are accepted by mail or in person under the published instructions.
For Chula Vista, Coronado, Lemon Grove or National City, use the responsible local licensing agency. Residents of unincorporated areas should contact the County Department of Animal Services.
Keep the contact details associated with your pet's microchip and license current so a finder or shelter can reach you.
Low-cost veterinary services
The low-cost veterinary services directory links to community veterinary care, vaccinations, microchipping and spay or neuter programs.
Review the selected program's eligibility, fees, location and appointment instructions. These programs should not be assumed to provide walk-in emergency treatment. For an urgent medical problem with an owned pet, contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary provider.
Community Pet Pantry
The Community Pet Pantry provides free dog or cat food and other supplies as available. Its published campus distribution schedule is Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., without an appointment.
Participating locations are El Cajon, Escondido, the Oceanside cats and small animals campus, and the San Diego admissions location. See the campus address table above for the correct entrance.
Check the program page for schedule changes and neighborhood distribution options. Food types and supplies depend on availability.
Rehoming, Owner Surrender and Adoption Returns
If you can no longer keep a pet, the official rehoming page offers alternatives, including direct rehoming platforms and resources for medical, behavior, food or temporary-care difficulties.
Owner surrenders and adoption returns require advance arrangements. Call 619-299-7012 to schedule an appointment before bringing the pet to a campus.
Surrender fees depend on whether the owner lives within SDHS jurisdiction, and acceptance from outside the jurisdiction depends on available capacity. Livestock and large tortoises have additional space and care limitations. The organization states that there is no fee to return a pet previously adopted from SDHS.
Relinquishing an animal transfers legal ownership to the organization. If you need temporary help or would like support to keep your pet, discuss those options with staff before completing surrender paperwork.
For scheduling instructions and preparation details, see how to arrange to surrender or return a pet.
Foster and Volunteer Opportunities
Foster a shelter pet
Fostering provides temporary care outside the shelter. SDHS supplies training, essential supplies and medical support. The primary foster volunteer must be at least 18, live in San Diego County, have reliable transportation and complete the required training.
Recruitment priorities and available assignments change with shelter needs. Review the current foster requirements and application instructions before applying. Meeting the general requirements does not guarantee that an immediately available assignment will fit your household.
Foster animals must remain within San Diego County. Coordinate medical care, travel conflicts and changes in placement with the foster team. If your main goal is adopting a particular animal, ask about adoption or an eligible adoption trial.
Volunteer or participate in Dog Day Out
The volunteer opportunities page lists one-time service, ongoing shelter work, group activities, home projects, wildlife support and other ways to help. Age requirements, training and recruitment availability vary by opportunity.
Dog Day Out offers short outings with eligible shelter dogs. Check its current participation instructions. The organization states that this activity does not require a standard volunteer application and does not qualify for verified volunteer-service hours.
General Contact Information
Resource Center: 619-299-7012
Email: info@sdhumane.org
Mailing address: 5500 Gaines St., San Diego, CA 92110
The published Resource Center schedule is daily, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., excluding major holidays. Telephone and email service hours are separate from campus visiting hours. Use the official contact page for current contact details and department-specific options.