San Diego Animal Shelter Statistics FY 2024–25
San Diego Humane Society · California · Reporting period FY 2024–25
Last updated:
Source: San Diego Humane Society — Statistics ↗✓ Last verified November 3, 2026
Figures are based on the most recent publicly available reports and are subject to verification. Adoptions, adjusted (in-care) euthanasia of 2,578 and the ~91% live release rate are from San Diego Humane Society's FY 2024–25 Asilomar statistics; the organization reports zero euthanasia of healthy or treatable animals. Intake, return-to-owner and transfer figures are preliminary.
- Intake
- 38,400
- Adoptions
- 18,570
- Euthanasia
- 2,578
- 6.7% of intake
- live release rate
- ~91%
- National: 82%
Outcomes, FY 2024–25
| Metric | Count | Share of intake |
|---|---|---|
| Total intakePreliminary | 38,400 | 100% |
| DogsPreliminary | 14,100 | 37% |
| CatsPreliminary | 18,700 | 49% |
| AdoptionsVerified | 18,570 | 48% |
| Returned to ownerPreliminary | 5,200 | 14% |
| Transferred to partnersPreliminary | 8,900 | 23% |
| Total live outcomesPreliminary | 32,670 | 85% |
| EuthanasiaVerified | 2,578 | 6.7% |
| live release rateVerifiedPublished by San Diego Humane Society | ~91% | State calc. (tracked): 89.8% |
Additional outcome figures are preliminary and will be updated when official reports are confirmed.
Data period FY 2024–25 · Last verified November 3, 2026 · View official source ↗
What the numbers mean
San Diego Humane Society provides animal services for most of San Diego County and maintains one of the highest live outcome rates among large California shelters. In FY 2024–25, San Diego Humane Society reported 38,400 animal intakes and 18,570 adoptions, and published a live release rate of ~91% — above the 82% national estimate.
The most common way animals left the shelter alive was adoption, accounting for 57% of live outcomes. Adoptions made up 57%, transfers 27% and returns to owner 16%. Cats made up the larger share of intake (18,700 vs. 14,100 dogs).
2,578 animals were euthanized, equal to 6.7% of intake. Among the 10 shelters SaveAPaw tracks, San Diego ranks #4 by headline outcome rate and meets the commonly used 90% no-kill benchmark. Figures come from San Diego Humane Society — Statistics and were last verified on November 3, 2026; see the source for California reporting definitions. Adoptions, adjusted (in-care) euthanasia of 2,578 and the ~91% live release rate are from San Diego Humane Society's FY 2024–25 Asilomar statistics; the organization reports zero euthanasia of healthy or treatable animals. Intake, return-to-owner and transfer figures are preliminary.
Frequently asked questions
- How many animals does San Diego Humane Society take in each year?
- San Diego Humane Society reported 38,400 animal intakes in FY 2024–25. This figure is preliminary.
- What is the live outcome rate in San Diego?
- San Diego Humane Society reported a live release rate of ~91% for FY 2024–25.
- Is San Diego a no-kill shelter?
- Yes — its FY 2024–25 live release rate of ~91% meets the commonly used 90% benchmark.
- How many animals were euthanized in San Diego?
- 2,578 in FY 2024–25, about 6.7% of intake.
- Where does this data come from?
- San Diego Humane Society — Statistics. SaveAPaw last verified these figures on November 3, 2026.