How does adopting from the San Diego Humane Society work, and what does it cost?
Visit one of four campuses (San Diego, El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside) Tuesday to Sunday. Typical fees: dogs $165, puppies $275, cats $115, kittens $175, with spay/neuter, shots and a microchip included.
- Dog / puppy
- $165 / $275
- Cat / kitten
- $115 / $175
- Campuses
- 4
- Phone
- 619-299-7012
Typical, 2026
Typical, 2026
Closed Mondays
The short version
- Adoption campuses: San Diego (5500 Gaines St.), El Cajon, Escondido (3500 Burnet Dr.) and Oceanside.
- Typical fees reported in 2026: dogs $165, puppies $275, cats $115, kittens $175.
- Fees can include spay/neuter, vaccinations, a microchip and a free vet-exam certificate.
- Fees are waived on events like California Adopt-a-Pet Day (June) and Clear the Shelters (late August).
- The society cares for more than 40,000 animals a year and runs animal services for 13 cities, including San Diego.
San Diego Humane Society is a private nonprofit, not a government pound, but it also holds the animal-services contracts for 13 cities including the City of San Diego. That means it handles strays, licensing and cruelty investigations there, and it's where most lost pets in the city end up.
| Campus | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 5500 Gaines St. | Morena area, off I-8; largest adoption center |
| El Cajon | East County | Adoptions |
| Escondido | 3500 Burnet Dr. | Adoptions |
| Oceanside | 2905 San Luis Rey Rd. (plus Airport Rd. site) | Adoptions |
San Diego
- Address
- 5500 Gaines St.
- Notes
- Morena area, off I-8; largest adoption center
El Cajon
- Address
- East County
- Notes
- Adoptions
Escondido
- Address
- 3500 Burnet Dr.
- Notes
- Adoptions
Oceanside
- Address
- 2905 San Luis Rey Rd. (plus Airport Rd. site)
- Notes
- Adoptions
San Diego Humane Society and NBC 7 Clear the Shelters listings, 2026.
What adopting costs
| Typical fee | Usually included | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult dog | $165 | Spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip |
| Puppy | $275 | Same |
| Adult cat | $115 | Same |
| Kitten | $175 | Same |
Typical fee
- Adult dog
- $165
- Puppy
- $275
- Adult cat
- $115
- Kitten
- $175
Usually included
- Adult dog
- Spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip
- Puppy
- Same
- Adult cat
- Same
- Kitten
- Same
Fees vary by animal and promotions are common. Adoptions also come with a free veterinary-exam certificate, and a dog license if you live in one of the society's contract cities.
When adoption fees drop
Clear the Shelters: discounts all month (August)
- 1MayReduced fees (May 2026)
- 2JunCA Adopt-a-Pet Day: free
- 3AugFree day late in the month
2026 promotions reported by Patch, KPBS and NBC 7. Dates change yearly.
How to adopt
- 01
Browse online
Adoptable pets are listed at sdhumane.org/adopt with photos and which campus they're at.
- 02
Visit Tuesday to Sunday
Campuses are closed Mondays. In 2026 adoption hours were extended to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 03
Meet and match
Staff help match you with a pet that fits your home; bring your dog for a meet-and-greet if you have one.
- 04
Take them home
The society offers an adoption guarantee and training advice afterward.
Got a new dog? Get a city dog license and find off-leash parks and beaches.
Campuses
Census geocoder and OpenStreetMap. El Cajon campus not pinned (address not confirmed).
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 8, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Prices, fees, hours and rules change, often at the start of a year or season. Confirm with the official source linked below before you rely on a number.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
KEEP READING
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
ABC 10News (KGTV)
Typical fees: dogs $165, puppies $275, cats $115, kittens $175
- PrimaryAdoption Fees
San Diego Humane Society
40,000 animals a year; adoption campuses
- PrimaryAnimal Services Fees
San Diego Humane Society
Contract cities list
NBC 7 San Diego · Aug. 2026
Campus addresses; Aug. 29 fee-waived event
Patch · June 2026
June 6 free adoptions at four campuses
Patch · May 2026
Extended hours 10–6 Tue–Sun