San Diego Humane Society

We are thrilled to share that we have been named a Top Workplace by The San Diego Union Tribune for a fifth year — a distinction given to only 39 organizations with 500 or more employees in San Diego! This award is based entirely on feedback from our amazing employees. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful team dedicated to supporting the animals, our community and each other. If you'd like to join our team working to save lives, check out our available jobs at sdhumane.org/careers!

Please join us in congratulating our newest Employee of the Month, Becca Wong! As a senior guest experience specialist, Becca exemplifies professionalism, leadership and dedication in everything she does — ensuring every interaction reflects the compassion and excellence at the heart of our mission. Becca goes above and beyond to support her team, from mentoring new staff to refining training materials. Her attention to detail, thoughtful communication and proactive approach make a lasting impact across our organization. Becca approaches every challenge with warmth, precision and care, making both guests and colleagues feel supported and valued. Thank you, Becca, for all that you do to make San Diego Humane Society a welcoming place!

A huge WIN for animals! 🎉We're thrilled to share Gov. Gavin Newsom signed all three bills in the “Stop The Puppy Mill Pipeline” legislative package designed to reduce consumer fraud and animal abuse in pet sales! Prompted by investigative journalism from the Los Angeles Times, SB 312 (Umberg), AB 506 (Bennett) and AB 519 (Berman) will protect consumers and animals from deceptive practices in the pet industry, close loopholes undermining California law and further protect consumers from fraudulent breeders. All three bills passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support in both the Assembly and the Senate, and will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. This marks a huge stride toward a more compassionate, humane future for animals across California! 

Please join us in congratulating our newest Employee of the Month, Amanda Doroteo! As a veterinary assistant at our Oceanside Campus, Amanda exemplifies compassion, courage and integrity in everything she does — making a lasting impact on her team, our patients and our community. Amanda approaches every animal with care and empathy, bringing calm and comfort even in the most stressful moments. She’s always the first to lend a hand and does so with an infectious positive attitude that lifts everyone’s spirits. Amanda’s kindness, enthusiasm and teamwork help create an inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone feels valued. We’re so grateful for all that she brings to San Diego Humane Society — thank you, Amanda, for your exceptional care and commitment!

Let’s all take a collective deep breath and soak in this moment: a majestic great-horned owl soaring off into the sunset after 127 days in our care. This resilient bird had a rough start. Displaced from his nest, he fell onto a community member’s car — only to be attacked by other birds right after! Thankfully, the finder rushed him to our Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center, where he received two weeks of care before being transferred to our Ramona Campus to finish his recovery. Day by day, our Project Wildlife teams helped him grow stronger until he was finally ready to return to the wild. And when that moment came, the picture-perfect release (courtesy of our incredible Wildlife Vet Assistant) was every bit as breathtaking as this owl deserved.

Please join us in congratulating our newest Employee of the Month, Abrey Hughes! As an admissions associate, Abrey brings so much heart and care to everything she does — making a meaningful difference for both animals and people every single day. Abrey is incredibly thoughtful when accepting a new animal into our care, taking the time to ensure each pet feels safe and calm. Her patience and empathy shine through in every interaction, whether she’s comforting an animal or supporting a guest during a difficult decision. That compassion helps create a positive experience in even the toughest moments. She’s known as the kind of teammate who’s always ready to step up and lend a hand. Abrey’s dedication, positivity and genuine love for her work inspire everyone around her. Thank you for all that you do, Abrey!

After a red-shouldered hawk struck a window at a community member’s home, they quickly brought the bird to our Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center for help. Upon intake, the hawk was completely stunned — unable to move, unresponsive to handling and showing no eye movement. Our Project Wildlife team was concerned the bird had suffered neurological or ocular trauma from the impact. They immediately began supportive care and closely monitoring the hawk’s condition. After just a few days, the hawk began flying again — a promising sign — but still refused to eat on their own. Our team continued daily hand-feedings, eye exams and flight assessments to ensure the bird was steadily regaining strength. Eventually, the hawk began eating independently and was strong enough to begin flight conditioning and continue recovering at our Ramona Campus. We can’t wait until this beautiful bird is ready to return to their wild home!

You’re probably familiar with striped skunks — but have you seen their pint-sized, polka-dotted family member? Meet the Western spotted skunk! Fun fact: When they feel threatened, these magnificent critters can do handstands before spraying to ward off predators. Talk about flair with function! Western spotted skunks are a rare sight in our care. Over the past nine years, just 14 have been admitted to our Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center and Ramona Wildlife Center. But earlier this month, this spotted skunk was found orphaned in a community member’s backyard before being brought to us. They are still an infant, so they will require time to grow and learn how to survive in the wild before they can be released. Because of how seldom spotted skunks arrive, it’s always a special experience for the team who gets to care for them!

Did you know Virginia opossums are the only marsupials native to North America and that their ancient marsupial ancestors have been around for more than 70 million years? These incredible animals are often misunderstood, but they’re full of fascinating traits and play a key role in our ecosystem. Opossums help maintain ecological balance by consuming insects, snails, slugs and even carrion, acting as nature’s built-in cleanup crew. They're also relatively disease-free, and it's very rare for them to carry rabies, parvovirus or distemper. This is due to their lower body temperature, which makes it harder for many viruses to survive. Our Project Wildlife team cares for nearly 1,000 opossums every year — like this one here — giving these unique animals a second chance. We think that deserves a round of op-plause!

Please join us in congratulating our newest Employee of the Month, Lauren Scofield! As a senior adoption specialist at our Oceanside Campus, Lauren brings more than a decade of dedication, compassion and expertise to everything she does — making her a true cornerstone of the Adoptions team. Lauren’s reliability, kindness and collaborative spirit help create an environment where both people and animals thrive. She brings a thoughtful, proactive approach to everything she does, always looking for ways to improve the experience for guests, support her teammates and ensure animals receive the best possible care. Whether she’s helping a family find their perfect match or supporting a busy day behind the scenes, Lauren’s impact is felt in meaningful ways every single day. We’re so grateful for the care, thoughtfulness and passion Lauren brings to our mission. Thank you, Lauren, for all that you do — and for inspiring everyone around you!