At Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS), we create second chances. RCHS finds homes for almost 1,000 dogs, cats and rabbits each year. More than 90% of these companion animals come from shelters that are struggling with overcrowding and high euthanasia rates. To meet the needs of our growing community, RCHS is about to undertake a campus-wide expansion that will build a state-of-the-art medical center, a modern learning center, a pet food storage facility, and a refreshed Welcome Center, which will remain in the same little yellow house where RCHS was founded in 1960.

RCHS is best known for its personalized pet adoption process, where we match the needs of the animal with the desires of the adopter. Our youth programs, including Animal Camp, Kids Community Service and Happy Tales, teach your children responsible pet ownership and co-existence with wildlife. RCHS is also recognized for programs and services that strengthen the human-animal bond, including the Animal Safehouse Program, the Community Pet Food Bank, Pet-Assisted Therapy and Pet Loss Support programs, Veterinary Care Program for Seniors and other community outreach that provides a “helping paw” to people in crisis. At RCHS, we believe everyone should be able to keep their beloved pets safe, healthy and at home – where all companion animals belong.

RCHS is recognized nationally as a top-rated 4-star charity by Charity Navigator, achieving a perfect 100-point overall score, one of 5 animal shelters in the nation and the only one in Southern California to receive this distinction. RCHS has a Platinum Seal of Transparency through Candid (formerly Guide Star) and charity accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. As a member of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition, RCHS abides by the pledge that NO healthy, treatable animal will ever be euthanized for time or space. As a limited admission shelter, we have time and, thanks to your generous support, funds to address medical and behavioral issues which might have caused a pet to end up in a shelter in the first place. We have no government contracts and are supported only by individual donors, grants and foundations, and, of course, our extraordinary Thrift Shop in Cardiff.

If you would like to learn more about RCHS, please visit SDPets.org. Join us on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at our gala event, Celebration of Second Chances – Unleashing the Magic, to get an insider’s view on the plans to enhance our campus so that we can embrace a future where Every Animal Deserves a Tomorrow®.