While animal shelters always expect to take in pets and stray animals, one San Diego rescue took in more than most last week.
Large amounts of the best cat food and other pet supplies are sure to be required by the San Diego Humane Society, which took in a total of 274 animals in the space of 24 hours last week, on Thursday, May 8.
“It’s been an extraordinary day at San Diego Humane Society,” the shelter said after welcoming the huge intake of new arrivals.
“In just 24 hours, at least 267 animals entered our care across multiple campuses – a testament to the urgent need for animal services in our region and beyond.”
Among the new animals are 96 guinea pigs and 50 chicks, as well as 11 adult cats, 28 kittens, and five dogs, all from an overwhelmed shelter in Los Angeles. Then, there were a few animals found as strays or surrendered by their parents, and even a horse who was found abandoned on the San Pasqual Reservation and surrendered by tribal police.
The guinea pigs all came from the same person, and they’ve been spread out among the various San Diego Humane Society locations to give them the best care possible – here are 32 tips for taking care of them. The chicks, meanwhile, came from the U.S. Postal Service and had been ordered by someone who didn’t come and collect them.
The SDHS is a zero-euthanasia shelter, and all of the animals will receive medical and behavioral evaluations before becoming available for adoption. A spokesperson said, “Our veterinary team immediately began triaging the animals and identified several who required prompt medical attention.”
The shelter also said that it was offering 50% adoption fees this week to encourage more people to give the animals new forever homes, bringing the cost to adopt a dog or cat down to about $50.
You can find out more about adopting a pet on the SDHS’s website. If you aren’t able to do so, the shelter also welcomes people who can foster animals or help out in other ways, such as by making donations.
Earlier this month, the Walk for Animals, one of the shelter’s largest and most popular events, raised over $300,000 (via ABC 10News). Over 4,000 people, many with their dogs, joined in the walk.
Read next: 8 things you need to know before getting a rescue dog or how to prepare to adopt a kitten
