The San Diego Humane Society rescued 48 cats and two dogs from their “overwhelmed” owner Friday afternoon, a spokesperson for the organization said.
The rescue was prompted when the owner, who lives in the La Mesa area, contacted the organization and asked for help with the large number of animals in the home, shelter spokesperson Nina Thompson said.
The organization trapped 50 animals and brought them in for flea treatments and vaccines. They will also undergo medical exams and be spayed or neutered.
They are being housed at the San Diego, El Cajon and Escondido campuses. Once the medical team gives the OK, the animals will be available for adoption.
The rescue comes as the organization’s shelters are already over capacity, with nearly 2,000 animals in its care — including almost 940 cats and nearly 800 dogs.
For those looking to adopt, San Diego Humane Society is running a special through the end of the month, with $25 adoption fees for dogs and cats through July 31. That amount goes for puppies and kittens as well, part of a push to empty the shelters. Learn more about pet adoptions at sdhumane,org/adopt.
The organization is also asking community members to consider fostering an animal, volunteering their time, or making a donation.
Thompson said Friday’s large intake “highlights the incredible importance of spaying and neutering to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the number of pets entering shelters.” Low-cost resources to spay or neuter pets can be found at sdhumane.org/spayneuter.