History of San Diego Humane Society in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 10, 2025

San Diego Humane Society is a nonprofit open-admission animal shelter operating across five campuses in San Diego County, California. They are committed to zero euthanasia for healthy and treatable animals. The organization provides animal services to 14 cities within the county, caring for approximately 50,000 animals annually.

1951: Animals Moved to Sherman Street Location

In 1951, the first animals were moved to the original San Diego Humane Society site, which was located on Sherman Street and formerly a milk plant. This marked a significant step in the organization's development.

2000: Lease Expiration and Consideration of New Facility

In 2000, the city of San Diego asked San Diego Humane Society to consider building a new facility adjacent to the proposed County Animal Services facility on Gaines Street as the lease was set to expire.

2002: Opening of New Facility

In 2002, San Diego Humane Society opened its new facility on Gaines Street after accepting the city's proposal to build adjacent to the County Animal Services facility.

2004: Firearms No Longer Permitted for Humane Officers

Prior to 2004, San Diego Humane Society officers who had completed the required training were permitted to carry firearms; however, in 2004, the agency no longer permitted this.

2009: Opening of Kitten Nursery

In 2009, San Diego Humane Society opened its Kitten Nursery. This program provided 24-hour care to infant kittens before they became eligible for adoption, serving as a model for other shelters.

2010: Merger with North County Humane Society & SPCA

In 2010, San Diego Humane Society merged with the former North County Humane Society & SPCA in Oceanside, California, expanding its operations through a merger agreement.

2013: Animal Abuse Reports

In 2013, San Diego Humane Society responded to 1,800 animal abuse reports. While most calls required pet owner education, 20 calls resulted in criminal charges.

2014: Merger with Escondido Humane Society

In 2014, San Diego Humane Society absorbed the Escondido Humane Society in Escondido, California through a merger agreement, further expanding its reach.

2014: Merger with PAWS San Diego

In 2014, San Diego Humane Society merged with PAWS San Diego. This merger expanded programs to help more pet owners keep their pets and created the largest pet safety net service in San Diego. PAWS San Diego became the official safety net program of San Diego Humane Society.

2014: Merger with Project Wildlife

In 2014, San Diego Humane Society merged with Project Wildlife, the local resource for animal rehabilitation, conservation, and wildlife education.

2018: Humane Law Officers Cases Resolved

Humane Law Officers resolved 24,451 cases in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

2018: Expansion of Animal Services to Six Additional Cities

In 2018, San Diego Humane Society began providing animal services to six additional cities in San Diego County. This was the biggest milestone in their 138-year history, serving over 2.2 million people across 620 square miles.

2018: Cruelty Complaints

In the 2018-19 fiscal year, San Diego Humane Society responded to 2,808 cruelty complaints.

September 2019: Opening of New Behavior Center Facility

In September 2019, San Diego Humane Society opened a new Behavior Center facility. Behavior experts work to address complex challenges and animals receive individual rehabilitation plans to help them become adoptable.

2019: Humane Law Officers Cases Resolved

Humane Law Officers resolved 24,451 cases in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

2019: Opening of the Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center

In 2019, the Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center was opened by the San Diego Humane Society.

July 2020: Retirement of PAWS Name and Introduction of HASS Model

In July 2020, the PAWS name was retired after six years of integrating the work of PAWS San Diego throughout San Diego Humane Society. The Society introduced a new model called Human Animal Support Services (HASS).

September 2020: California Governor Gavin Newsom Signed Bella’s Act

In September 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Bella’s Act (Assembly Bill 2152) to go into law on Jan. 1 to prohibit the retail sales of dogs, cats and rabbits in California.

September 2020: Welcoming of Ramona Campus

In September 2020, San Diego Humane Society welcomed its Ramona Campus, formerly known as the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in Ramona, which had been part of the Humane Society of the United States for over two decades. With this new 13-acre Ramona Wildlife Center, the work of Project Wildlife expanded to protect and care for more injured and orphaned wildlife throughout Southern California.

October 2020: Opening of El Cajon Campus

In October 2020, San Diego Humane Society opened the El Cajon Campus, taking over the management of the El Cajon Animal Shelter. This marked the first time in their 140-year history to have a shelter presence in East County, sheltering and caring for animals in El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee. Humane Law Enforcement also began providing dispatch and field services for El Cajon.

January 2021: Bella's Act Goes Into Law

In January 2021, Bella’s Act (Assembly Bill 2152) went into law in California, prohibiting the retail sales of dogs, cats and rabbits in California. This bill, sponsored by San Diego Humane Society and written by California State Assemblymember Todd Gloria, puts an end to a supply of animals who have been bred and raised in unhealthy and inhumane conditions in out-of-state puppy mills.