Nina Thompson with the San Diego Humane Society said the July 4 holiday is the shelter's busiest time of the year because of the fireworks. In 2023, Thompson said the shelter had 273 stray pets from July 4-7.
This year, the shelter has much more dog overcapacity than in 2023, with 785 dogs already in its care.Thompson said emergency crates and kennels are in conference rooms and hallways as they prepare. They are expecting nearly 300 additional stray pets, mostly dogs, after July 4. “We’re already full and so many times the pet does not live near the shelter so that reduces the opportunity for the pet to get reunited with their family,” Thompson said.