San Diego Humane Society Takes In 34 Cats From Overcrowded Stockton Shelter

OCEANSIDE, CA — San Diego Humane Society has welcomed a new group of cats and kittens from Stockton Animal Shelter.

The 34 cats and kittens arrived Wednesday at the organization's Oceanside campus to help with severe overcrowding and support disease management efforts, according to San Diego Humane Society.

The transfer marks the second time in recent months San Diego Humane Society has taken in kittens from the Stockton shelter. The organization accepted 29 kittens on Dec. 4, 2025, bringing the total number transferred from the facility to 63.

Although San Diego Humane Society remains well over capacity for dogs, the organization was able to take in the cats to provide relief to the Stockton shelter, which has experienced a surge in cats needing specialized medical care.

"Stockton Animal Care deserves credit for putting out the call for help," said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of San Diego Humane Society. "When a fellow shelter needs support, whether here in San Diego or beyond, we want to be there for them. By working together for these 34 kittens, we will ensure they receive the specialized care they need to find their new homes."

Fourteen of the kittens remain at the Oceanside campus, while 12 were transferred to the organization's San Diego campus and eight to the Escondido campus, officials said.

Several kittens are suffering from upper respiratory infections or scabies, while others are ringworm-positive at various stages of treatment. Officials said shelter medicine teams are prepared to provide isolation and treatment for the URI and ringworm cases.

Once the kittens are medically and behaviorally cleared, they will be available for adoption.