San Diego, California — Contributions and grants for the San Diego Humane Society have seen a significant increase over the past five years, nearly doubling. The nonprofit organization, which provides critical animal welfare services and has been granted police powers across much of the county, reported total assets of $133 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $70 million five years prior, according to federal tax records.
However, this financial growth faces challenges amid budget cuts proposed by the city. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced a 20% reduction in payments to the animal services contractor, equating to a $3.5 million cut aimed at addressing a $250 million budget deficit. Gary Weitzman, the Humane Society’s CEO, cautioned that such a reduction would undermine the organization’s ability to adequately serve the city. “It is really across the board, and it’s such a tremendous reduction we’d actually be unable to continue with the contract,” Weitzman said, highlighting the potential impact of the cuts.
In response to the pushback, Gloria revised the proposed budget cut in May to $1.5 million, although discussions continue regarding the financial future of the $18.2 million contract for the upcoming year.
This interplay between the Humane Society and city officials underscores a paradox: while the organization enjoys strong community support built over decades, it also grapples with significant criticisms. Recent public complaints, including a county grand jury report, indicated that the Humane Society has failed to meet its contractual obligations, raising concerns about the oversight of its animal control services.
Legal troubles further complicate matters for the organization, particularly related to its community cat program, which allows the release of adoptable cats outdoors without supervision. A judge’s order halted this practice last year, and an amended program awaits a final ruling imminently.
Additionally, activists and volunteers have raised criticisms regarding the Society’s efforts in providing low-cost spaying and neutering services, emphasizing that limited access exacerbates the problem of homeless animals in the community. These concerns echo sentiments among over 4,000 volunteers, many of whom feel undervalued and constrained in their roles.
Despite such criticisms, the organization has been increasing executive salaries, with Weitzman’s base pay reaching $488,000 last year—a rise of $50,000 compared to the previous year. This decision has left some animal advocates disillusioned, insisting on the need for increased oversight and accountability in light of ongoing complaints.
The San Diego Humane Society has dismissed claims from the grand jury report as biased, asserting that it is fulfilling its mission effectively and transparently. A spokesperson emphasized the society’s significant contributions to animal welfare, despite the backdrop of financial and operational challenges exacerbated by staffing issues and budget constraints.
Historically, the Humane Society has evolved significantly since its establishment in 1880. Originally formed to provide organized animal welfare services in San Diego, it has grown into one of the largest and best-funded private animal welfare agencies in the nation, assuming responsibilities previously held by the county.
The organization’s revenue figures reflect this evolution, reporting $72 million in total revenue for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024. However, as costs associated with contracts and services continue to rise, questions regarding the justification for these expenditures are becoming more pressing. For instance, the annual fees paid by San Diego under a 10-year contract have risen from $12.7 million in 2018 to $16.8 million in 2023.
The recent grand jury findings suggest a decline in service quality, highlighting that the society is not meeting its contractual obligations regarding response times and enforcement of animal-related laws. For example, the humane society averaged a 32-minute response time to Priority 1 calls, with longer delays reported for lower-priority concerns.
Amid these operational hurdles, officials from the Humane Society acknowledge some shortcomings but argue that staffing challenges and the complex nature of the work contribute to performance issues. City officials also face scrutiny regarding their oversight of the contract with the Humane Society, as indicated by the grand jury findings.
As the San Diego Humane Society continues to navigate these issues, advocates insist on improving transparency and service quality to ensure the organization’s mission aligns with community expectations. Meanwhile, plans for future improvements, such as a $10 million capital campaign to develop a new veterinary hospital, aim to address ongoing challenges within the organization.
This evolving situation underscores the complexity of animal welfare management in San Diego, where community expectations, financial realities, and operational challenges intersect.
This article was automatically written by OpenAI, and the people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate. Any article can be requested for removal, retraction, or correction by writing an email to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.