Humane Society of Oceanside

The staff was excellent! Shannon and Amy spent a lot of time with us, making sure this was the right dog for us. A dog is a lifetime commitment and it is so important to make sure the animal is the right fit for your family. I really appreciate the fact that they talked with us at length to make sure this formerly destructive dog would do well with us. She is the sweetest girl ever! High energy to be sure, but with enough attention and exercise, she has been great. I see a few negative reviews, and that is a shame. We have nothing but good things to say about our experience.

I got my rat terrier Brutis from this location almost a year ago.
We go to the Oceanaside and/​or Escondido location every single weekend but have been to all of them.
We can’t adopt anymore animals but we love to go give the dogs some attention.
I love all the San Diego Locations.
They have very detailed information, to the best of their ability, on the animals they have and are always very eager to help. They all seem very connected and passionate about the animals.
They regularly take their animals out for little walks and/​or get them outside as much as they can.
They are also very honest with you about the positive AND negative behavioral traits, health problems, special needs, etc. of their animals. Whatever they do not know off the top of the heads, they go and get their file. These files are extremely detailed for every animal and I love it. I know exactly how any animal will or will not work in with my family.
One of my favorite things about the humane society is that they don’t make you fill out those ridiculously tedious and unnecessary «adoption contracts». They treat you like an adult who wants to responsibly rescue an animal and they make adopting fun, not overwhelming. They trust you and treat you with respect.
I went to a DIFFERENT rescue and they asked me questions for 20 minutes before telling me that I could not even PLAY with a dog I was interested in because I lived in an apartment; without even checking with my complex. Ridiculous.
The Humane Society also charge VERY fair prices for their rescues that are basically the same from animal to animal; no matter the breed or «pedigree».
The Humane Society is honest about their animals, cares for their animals, and treats everyone who comes in with kindness.
They are all about getting these rescued animals new homes and I love everything about what they do.

Wonderful place!
Staff very friendly and compassionate.
Great adoption fees also.
I can’t say enough!
I hope everyone chooses this place for all their animal needs.

My little gal went missing today… Wow if you have experienced that it is exhausting, scary and very upsetting. The associates at the Humane Society were calm and reassuring. They provided options for searching for my «Momma» which resulted in a quick return of my dog. I appreciate the care, understanding and quick follow up. Thank you for sincerely caring!!!

We couldn’t be more happy with the dog we adopted. Everyone here was beyond great and we went back 3 times before we took our boy home. They were great with us and our children interacting with our dog. We love him

Can’t say enough. We met our new forever friend here after losing our 14 yr old rescue child during holiday season. We are the proud parents of Rosie the chihuahua. Please please adopt vs buying a purebred. And we received a year free vet care from mission animal hospital around the corner plus free microchip plus free license. Thanks for changing our holiday from sad to wonderful

Although the Humane Society in Oceanside was clean and well kept, and the animals occupied accommodating and comfortable surroundings, it was the staff that I would most like to protest.
Never before have I been confronted with such imperious, condemning and self-​serving individuals. Having little to no formal education or training, a majority of the staff members regard themselves as experts. It is astounding how little the staff at the Humane Society in Oceanside truly knows. Their high and mighty behavior does not serve the animals well with regard to encouraging a new owner to adopt a new family member. I admit that I almost passed on adopting our new dog until I took another look at his sweet fury face and dismissed the staff’s contemptuous behavior in order to continue with the adoption.
That being said, the staff does appear affectionate and kind to the animals. It is other people that the staff has difficulty interacting with. Dare you ask a question about one of the animals and the staff in Oceanside will receive the question in the most negative manner possible, answering in a hostile and combative tone.
I am an advocate of the Humane Society in general, which is why I will award 3 stars to this review. The organization provides a much needed service to animals in need, and I do not wish for my review to hurt an animals chance at a new home.
I simply wish to warn any prospective customer to spend as little time with the staff as possible. Although the staff does seem to like animals, it is people that challenge them most; that and their misguided sense of self and deficient education regarding animal health and behaviors.
Shame on the staff at the Humane Society is Oceanside. Your misguided arrogance is self serving and obnoxious, and it does not do justice to those poor desperate creatures in need of a new home.
Sincerely,
Otis and Eeyore’s Mommy

I had been considering adopting a dog for my mom, as her dog had recently died, for a while when I found out the San Luis Rey facility was having an event where you could adopt a dog for only $ 15 instead of the normal $ 95, so that was my cue!
We were greeted by a very polite staff person, who let us look at the dogs. We found one we were interested in and had our name put on a list. She said it would be 45 minutes or so. Two hours later we were still waiting, but I understood since they were pretty busy for this weekend event. Went to a taco place nearby and came back. After being allowed to meet with the dog in a special area, we decided it was a good match. The entire process was easy enough, even with the long wait. I was a little concerned when I realized that the dog had been exposed and treated for kennel cough, but they reassured me and showed me the records of it being treated (have to trust them here but I see no reason why they would not treat the dog). Turns out kennel cough isn’t life-​threatening anyway in most dogs.
Something nice is that they give you a certificate for VCA Pet Hospital for $ 250 worth of treatment (within 5 days). You can take the dog to the vet and if it has more medical problems than you can deal with, you can take the dog back. Since the dog we adopted was a bit older (the shelter gave 6 years as his age; 2 different vets said he was at the very least 8 and probably 10) – but anyway he did have a few minor problems, needed an x-​ray for some junky-​sounding breathing and to be dewormed and some blood work, but it was almost all covered by that certificate. He turned out to be fine, though.
I do think that shelters may (not just this one) tend to guess on the younger side of a dog’s age, thinking it would hurt its chances of adoption if it were known how old they really were. I guess I can understand that but not sure dishonesty is the best way to go. If you want a younger dog it is best to get a VET’s opinion on its age though, not take the word of the staff at the shelter.
All in all, it was a good experience. The shelter staff are very helpful and seem to really care about the dogs. The dog kennels are clean. There is a huge selection of dogs (no surprise though), big and small, mixes and some purebreds. FYI: Mixed breeds tend to be healthier and have fewer genetic problems I have learned.
Our dog is settling in great and I really like the idea of just one less dog needing a home. I highly recommend if you are considering a dog to give this (or another) shelter a chance first before considering buying a dog from a breeder. Of course PLEASE NEVER buy a dog from a puppy mill or pet store. :)

We finally got to adopt a new dog! He was amazing. And once we found him the adoption process was super easy. I will also post a pic of our handsome new guy.
I wanted to say that they really went out of their way to make sure that this would be his forever home. I’m glad they took the time to find us a perfect dog.

Adopting animals I think is the way to go, rescuing them provides a safe home and a great environment.
In terms of the facility and the animals, it’s very clean and well looked after.
The staff? Not so sure about what is up their ass. I understand they want what’s best for the animals, but they need to get rid of the condescending attitude, and stop judging other people who are trying to adopt. My experience was ridiculous.
I went with my gal friend who wanted to get a second, smaller dog. The lady who helped us was very sweet, instructed us to come back later when it’s not so busy so we can meet with the dog she wanted.
We came back, she brought her own dog to see how the other dog would get along. Long story short, they villanized my friend’s dog and were extremely uptight and and beyond rude to her. It was twilight and all the other dogs were barking, so it made my friend’s dog EXTREMELY timid and nervous, the more experienced handlers should have understood that. So in the pen, the little dog crept up behind and scared my friend’s dog, so he turned around and showed he was scared/​not expecting it. The workers yanked the dogs apart thinking my friends dog was about to attack. WRONG. They should know better. They said he was acting very dominate (he is a dominate breed) and he was going to pounce. WRONG. That was the extent of the meet and greet.
They further went on and on about how she’s not ready for another animal, and why in the world would she want a second dog. This pissed me off. Completely judging her and her dog, it was downright embarrassing– they put her down, said awful things, and were very condescending. My friend left crying, she was SO upset and humiliated. Her dog has been around PLENTY of others and has never attacked anything. They even asked how many times her dog has bit someone. UH, NEVER.
They want what’s best for the animals, yes, but don’t be assholes about it. Don’t put words in other people’s mouths or pretend like you know someone and their pet after a brief few minutes.
For the sake of the animals, we may be back, but don’t expect to be treated very well, and we won’t extend any manners to them since clearly they have no concern for customer service. Their attitude gets ZERO stars.

Clean facility and healthy animals. Fair adoption fees with young to old & small to large animals to choose from. Volunteers are helpful and pleasant. Tyvm for our little Sunder «May»

They seem to take good care of the animals :)

Small parking lot, watch out for doggies! Clean, wonderful animals, and great staff!

I hate people who bash shelters, I guess those people prefer to have the animals euthanized or never find a loving home… DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE FOLKS, I adopted a kitten from them and love him more than anything! The nurse actually said goodbye to our kitten before we brought him home she was in love with him when she was taking care of him. that says a lot about this shelter. Please save a life before you go to a breeder, all the animals in this shelter need love, the staff are friendly and they want to see these animals go to a loving home, anyone who works here must love animals… this shelter is a good shelter and they do care.

Just to clarify, we went to the one with the small animals/​cats, not the dog one. (I was a little confused on why they were separated too, but we weren’t looking for a dog so it didn’t really matter.) My roommate and I came here to look for our future bunny, and the staff are all very cooperative and friendly. They answered all of our questions, and were more than willing to just let us hang out with our bunny without rushing us.
The facility was nice and clean, and the rabbit cages were very big and spacious. The cat’s were a little cramped (I like the SD Humane shelter a lot more), and it looks like they all needed attention and space. :(
Anyway, after we bought the bunny, they sent us a follow-​up email asking us how our bunny was doing and if we have any questions (and pictures!). It was nice to hear back from them. :o)

I would have to totally disagree with some other reviews on this establishment. I had a really wonderful encounter with Andrew. He was kind, helpful and informative about a stray that I had found hit by a car. He went above and beyond in his customer service and I am so very grateful to have had his help in order to handle this heartbreaking event. Thanks Andrew!

Bureaucratic, rigid and uncooperative is what I was met with today.
I saw a great German Shepard yesterday that I would like to find a home for. I simply asked to have a photo of him emailed to me so that I could pass it on to a couple people who might be interested and I was met with resistance the whole way.
I have adopted two dogs from this facility in the past and had no issues but this situation I find very annoying.
On a more positive note, the facility is clean and the dogs seem pretty happy, comfortable and well cared for.
But, come on folks, let’s try to bend a few simple, harmless rules in order to get an animal a home, shall we?

The shelter in Carlsbad is SD Department Of Animal Control (government funded). The one in Oceanside is SD Humane Society SPCA (privately funded).
Before turning in a stray animal, adopting a pet, or relinquishing an animal, I would recommend a visit to both websites to learn more about the processes and regulations.
If the animal has a license, you can go to
and enter the license number to find information to locate the owner.
Both locations can verify if the pet has been microchipped, as well as most veterinarians.
Do not turn in an animal, and then expect just to go back and change your mind. Visit the websites to know the process first.
I know of two people, in two seperate cases, that told this humane society that they would adopt the strays they turned in, if the animals were not claimed by their owners. After checking in daily, and getting put off with changing stories. They were never able to reclaim these animals.

I’m updating my review from 1 star to 4. I’m still not happy with the care of the animals (the day I adopted my dog another small dog was in with a large dog that bit its ear and caused it to bleed, it took myself and two volunteers to get someone to go help the poor thing), but I understand how over-​crowded their facility is.
I will urge everyone to go adopt ASAP and help save a dog from getting injured or becoming ill. the dog will be forever grateful.
Also, the staff is amazing. Everyone was very helpful and kind, and didn’t mind me visiting my dog daily while she was on hold and unavailable for adoption.

Love this Humane Society!
Ya know when you have those days you have no moola and just want to do something for free well go visit the Pooches and Kitty’s at the Humane Societies. Its fun and free, you never know you just might find you next four legged pal chillin’ just waiting for you to rescue them!
This Humane Society is the cleanest I’ve seen and no yucky pet smells. Its lay-​ed out just right and they have signs that are clear and tell you where the tiny to the big dogs hang! I found some cute pups today wish I could of taken them home with me one was the cutest scraggly little dog and the other a beautiful husky! I’d save all the dogs if I had the yard and money too for sure!
The next time you looking for a four legged friend go check out this Humane Society you won’t go wrong! Adopt and save an animal before purchasing one from a private party!