Caring for animals at the San Diego Humane Society
The San Diego Humane Society is under fire for alleged service deficiencies despite a significant financial growth, reportedly doubling contributions and grants. Mayor Todd Gloria has proposed a budget rollback that raises concerns about service quality. A recent Grand Jury report criticized the organization for failing contractual obligations, and advocates have accused it of inadequate spay and neuter services. With rising complaints and leadership salary increases, community discourse on the humane society’s effectiveness and priorities continues to evolve.
Mayor Todd Gloria announced a proposed 20% budget rollback to the city’s animal-services contractor, which would amount to a $3.5 million reduction. This decision has raised concerns within the Humane Society, where CEO Gary Weitzman warned that such funding cuts could negatively impact their ability to serve the community effectively. In light of financial discussions, a revised budget proposal surfaced in May, suggesting a $1.5 million reduction; however, disagreements regarding the contract’s amount for the coming year remain unresolved.
Public scrutiny of the Humane Society has intensified due to a Grand Jury report that criticized the organization for failing to meet its contractual obligations to the city. In addition to this, the Humane Society is presently facing a lawsuit challenging its community cat program, which permits the release of stray cats outdoors without supervision. This initiative has drawn backlash amid concerns it may exacerbate the already growing population of homeless animals.
Further compounding the situation, advocates have accused the organization of not providing adequate low-cost spay and neuter services. Reports indicate that over 4,000 volunteers associated with the Humane Society have felt undervalued and constrained in their roles, adding to the ongoing frustration among the community and stakeholders.
In terms of compensation, senior leadership, including Weitzman, received significant salary increases despite the complaints surrounding service quality. Weitzman’s salary increased by $50,000 to $488,000 last year. Such increases have led many local animal advocates to question the organization’s priorities.
Despite criticisms, the Humane Society refutes the conclusions drawn in the Grand Jury report, characterizing it as biased and misinformed. The organization emphasizes that its financial growth can largely be attributed to its assumption of animal-control responsibilities after the county reduced its services nearly a decade ago. Currently, the Humane Society acts as the animal control and enforcement agency for 14 out of 18 cities in the county and possesses the authority to issue citations and make arrests.
Financially, the organization reported $72 million in revenue against $67 million in expenditures for the last fiscal year, ending June 30, 2024. The Humane Society has raised service fees for pet owners, alongside increasing costs for the municipalities it serves. However, emergency response times have drawn critical feedback, with significant delays noted in reaching animals in distress. Priority 1 calls, which are expected to be addressed within 30 minutes, averaged 32 minutes, while Priority 2 and Priority 3 calls exceeded expectations by 16 hours and more than six days, respectively. Staffing shortages, particularly within humane law enforcement, have contributed to these delayed response times.
In an effort to enhance service capabilities, officials recently announced plans for a $10 million capital campaign to establish a new veterinary hospital. Recent operations have led to the rescue of 41 animals, including 28 dogs and a chameleon, from a home in Escondido as part of an ongoing investigation.
As of now, the San Diego Humane Society cares for 1,938 animals, with 750 available for adoption. In response to overcrowding in shelters, adoption hours have been extended on weekends. The organization reported over 600 adoptions last summer and is planning to open a public-access veterinary hospital and extended spay/neuter services by the year 2027.
As the San Diego Humane Society navigates these challenges, community discourse around its effectiveness and financial priorities continues to evolve, calling into question the balance between growth and service excellence.
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