San Diego Humane Society Received Cats From Hawaii
The local shelters are housing 19 displaced cats to help free up kennel space for pets impacted by Hurricane Lowell.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Cats
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The San Diego Humane Society accepted 19 cats that were flown from the Kauai Humane Society to San Diego International Airport. This transfer aims to provide vital support by opening up kennel space for animals affected by Hurricane Lowell.
Why it matters
Relocating these animals helps the Kauai Humane Society manage the influx of displaced pets following the storm. This partnership ensures that local shelters in Hawaii can prioritize care for animals requiring immediate assistance.
The 19 cats arrived on October 13, 2026, with 11 placed at the Escondido campus and 8 sent to the Oceanside campus. An additional 20 cats are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
The players
San Diego Humane Society
A prominent animal welfare organization serving San Diego County through rescue, adoption services, and veterinary care across multiple regional campuses.
Kauai Humane Society
The primary animal welfare agency for Kauai, Hawaii, currently managing the logistical challenges of pet displacement following severe weather events.
The details
The animals were flown from Kauai to San Diego to alleviate capacity pressures at the Kauai Humane Society. Upon landing at the airport, the cats were immediately transported to the San Diego Humane Society facilities in Escondido and Oceanside for intake and care. This coordination allows the Hawaii-based shelter to focus resources on local pets displaced by the hurricane.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: 19 cats arrived at San Diego International Airport.
October 14, 2026: The shelter officially announced the intake of the cats.
Coming weeks: 20 additional cats are scheduled to arrive in San Diego.
The Home Front
This transfer follows a pattern of inter-agency cooperation triggered by the impact of Hurricane Lowell on regional animal shelter capacity. Moving animals between organizations is a standard strategy to maintain welfare standards when local facilities face sudden, storm-driven overcrowding.
If you are looking to support displaced pets, contact the San Diego Humane Society to ask about upcoming adoption opportunities or fostering needs. Monitor the organization's official website for updates on when these specific cats become available for permanent placement.
The takeaway
Large-scale transfers help maintain high standards of care for animals in disaster-stricken areas. Keep an eye on the San Diego Humane Society website if you are interested in potentially adopting or fostering one of the relocated cats as they become available.
What happens next
Twenty additional cats are scheduled to arrive at the San Diego Humane Society in the coming weeks.
Further reading
Learn more about local pet welfare programs in our Cats section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSWB 5/69.
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