San Diego Humane Society participates in California Adopt a Pet Day

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Hundreds of furry friends from the San Diego Humane Society and the county’s two animal shelters found their forever homes on Saturday – the first “Adopt a Pet Day” in California.

During the event, adoption fees were waived for prospective pet owners at more than 150 participating shelters, including the three in San Diego.

“This is the first time the entire state has come together to reduce adoption fees,” said Nina Thompson, public relations director for the San Diego Humane Society.

According to Thompson, the event was made possible through a partnership between CalAnimals, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

By the end of the day, families adopted a total of 221 pets, the San Diego Humane Society said.

The event comes a month after the Humane Society declared a state of emergency as its facility was pushed to the brink with a record number of dogs in its care. As of Saturday, nearly 600 pets remained up for adoption, including puppies and kittens.

“All shelters in California are at capacity and overcapacity, so adoption is critical right now,” Thompson said. “So anyone who wants to add a furry member to her family, please adopt.”

A coalition of animal welfare organizations came together on April 30 to ask the community to save lives by adopting or fostering unwanted animals. They also urged people to spay and neuter their pets to avoid overcrowding in shelters, especially in the run-up to the busier summer months.

“What we see every summer, and especially during the Fourth of July holiday when pets run away because of fireworks, is that we get an influx of animals into our shelter and many of them don’t have microchips or ID tags.” Thompson said.

That’s why current pet owners were also welcome to attend the second annual SDHS “Preparation Fair,” which was held in conjunction with “Adopt a Pet Day.” Pet owners were able to get free microchips, ID tags, licenses and more at shelters in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside and San Diego.

Meanwhile, pet adoptions will be 50% off Tuesday through Sunday next week for those who missed California’s “Adopt a Pet Day” but still want to add a furry member to the family.