A closer look at 10 nonprofits we are supporting this year who are making a huge impact
We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary with something that we’re calling a 10×100 Campaign. We wanted to give back to the world that has given so much to us, so we’re donating $100, each, to 10 nonprofits throughout the year. This month, we’re giving $100 to the San Diego Humane Society, and sharing this Q&A with SDHS’s President & CEO Gary Weitzman.
Left to right: Gary Weitzman, President of San Diego Humane Society,
Sheri Nasim, President & CEO of Center for Executive Excellence,
and the goodest girl Missy, adoptee 848506.
When was the San Diego Humane Society founded and how does it fulfill its mission?
The San Diego Humane Society was founded in 1880. Our mission is to create a more humane world by inspiring compassion, providing hope and advancing the welfare of animals and people.
Who does the San Diego Humane Society serve and why it’s important to the community?
San Diego Humane Society, an open-admission shelter, is creating a more humane world by inspiring compassion and advancing the welfare of animals and people. Our lifesaving safety net has helped San Diego become the largest city in the U.S. to keep healthy and treatable shelter animals from being euthanized. We are a private, independent, nonprofit organization that is not affiliated with any other humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
With campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona and San Diego, we provide animal services for 14 cities within San Diego County. We not only care for more than 40,000 animals in our communities annually, but also share the expertise we have gained through our innovative programs with shelters nationwide so they can save more lives in their communities.
While our influence is expanding nationally, our top priority is meeting the needs of San Diego. We provide exceptional care for all animals through world-class veterinary medicine, shelter and most of all: love.
What is the easiest way for donors to make a contribution to the San Diego Humane Society?
We are a non-profit and can only do the work we do thanks to generous support from the community. If you’d like to donate to support our work, visit www.sdhumane.org and click on the donate button on the front page. We’re also on Venmo now with the handle @sdhumane, if that is easier.
How can people help San Diego Humane Society other than making a financial contribution?
We understand that not everyone can adopt a pet. Thankfully there are many other ways to get involved. By becoming a foster volunteer, for instance, you give an animal a temporary break from the shelter and create space for other animals with nowhere else to turn.
We’re also always looking for compassionate, dedicated volunteers to help us care for more than 40,000 animals in need each year. Across our campuses and at our events, we rely on nearly 4,000 volunteers each year for their time, love and support. There is definitely a need for volunteer support; we’ll put you to work. And we get great feedback from many of our volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to get involved.
What else to you want people to know about the San Diego Humane Society?
San Diego Humane Society’s scope of social responsibility goes beyond adopting animals. We offer programs that strengthen the human-animal bond, prevent cruelty and neglect, provide medical care, educate the community and serve as a safety net for all pet families.
To learn more about the impact made by the San Diego Humane Society, click here.
