SAN DIEGO — Animal shelters and organizations across San Diego County are under a state of emergency, saying they're having a difficult time caring for an influx of animals.
The situation is so serious, the region’s zero euthanasia rate is now at risk.
"This is pretty much new territory. We have never seen numbers like this. This is testing that promise in all the worst ways,” said San Diego Humane Society President and CEO Gary Weitzman.
Weitzman told CBS 8 while they're not at the point of euthanasia, it has been discussed and may be something other shelters and organizations will have to consider doing.
Regarding how crowded the San Diego Humane Society is, in 2022, they reached a record high of 494 dogs in their care each day.
In 2023, that number jumped to 540.
Now, it's at 632.
Those numbers don't include all of the other animals in their care.
Why shelters are over capacity
Some of the reasons for the influx include people being unable to afford raising a pet, or not being able to find housing where they can bring their pet.
The number one reason given is due to a lack of spaying and neutering.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of people did not spay or neuter their pets, which led to an explosion of unwanted animals.
“In just six years, two unaltered dogs and their offspring can be responsible for more than 60,000 canines. For cats, that figure doubles to 120,000! The best way to end this crisis of unwanted pets, and overpopulated shelters is through spaying and neutering,” said Dorell Sackett, Executive Director of Operations at the Spay Neuter Action Project.
The problem exists all over the county, including at Chula Vista Animal Services.
"Three years ago, we averaged 85 dogs this time of year. We now average from 120-140 every single day. We don't have a winter, we don't have a break, and we haven't seen summer yet so that number will increase,” said Ashley Milo, Deputy Director of Animal Services with the City of Chula Vista Animal Services.
“We are sounding the alarm. We need our community's help now more than ever, whether it is adopting or fostering, volunteering or donating,” added Milo.
WATCH RELATED: Animal shelters across the country are at capacity as many can't afford to keep their pets (Sept. 15, 2023)