The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA has merged with the Escondido Humane Society into one organization, to be called the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA. Gary Weitzman will continue as the organization’s president and CEO.
“We have been eagerly anticipating this day,” Weitzman said, “because we know how combining resources will save more of the most vulnerable animals in our community. Our organizations have been working together to save homeless pets in San Diego County for quite some time but now we can make an even greater impact together.”
“This merger enables us to increase both efficiency and effectiveness, which translates into more animals being saved,” said Sally Costello, executive director of Escondido Humane Society. Costello now begins her role at San Diego Humane Society as vice president of strategic initiatives. She will spend the next six months transitioning the two organizations through implementation of integrated practices. “We know there will be some subtle cultural differences,” Costello said, “but we are all on the same page when it comes to helping the people and animals in San Diego.”
The Escondido locale will operate as the San Diego Humane Society, Escondido campus, joining the San Diego Humane Society’s existing San Diego and Oceanside campuses. The animal control contracts managed by the Escondido Humane Society in the cities of San Marcos, Poway and Escondido will remain in place under the new arrangement and will be fulfilled as contracted.  “We’ve been saving all healthy and treatable animals for several years,” Weitzman continued. “Now, our focus is on assisting other local animal shelters reduce the number of animals euthanized for medical and behavior reasons in San Diego County. With special veterinary care, time in a foster home, rehabilitation programs and training, these animals can now be saved.”
For more information, please visit sdhumane.org.