FOCAS

Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS) has been at the forefront of finding a way to exit cats and dogs out of the three San Diego Department of Animal Services shelters and into safe, loving homes for the past 20 years. More than 5,000 San Diegans have adopted one or more FOCAS pets, since 1999.

Through the years, our task was to do whatever it took to reduce euthanasia and assist shelter staff to improve the quality of life for animals staying at the shelter. We’ve hosted thousands of events, lobbied County officials and raised millions of dollars to continue our mission of finding homes for lost or forgotten animals.

FOCAS has also been willing to take on animals with medical issues that were beyond treatment guidelines or available medical space at the shelters. The majority of donations to FOCAS are spent on providing medical and rehabilitative care for pets that were not adoptable without our help.

Our work wouldn't be possible without the generous commitment of FOCAS volunteers, a strong relationship with the Department of Animal Services and the financial support of our donors/adopters.

  • To reduce euthanasia of treatable and manageable animals by at least 50 percent during the next three years. We plan to accomplish this task by building a medical fund that will be used to treat as many of those at risk as possible. The fund will pay for treatment, surgery, rehabilitation and medicines.
  • Partner and collaborate with fellow San Diego rescue organizations in an effort to exit as many animals as possible from the shelters. By combining resources – medical treatment and finding foster and adoptive homes – we can have a greater impact.

How FOCAS Helps

FOCAS assists the dogs and cats at the three county shelters in a variety of ways, including:

  • Providing an adoption counselor at shelters to help make a match between the public and cats and dogs awaiting a home
  • Organizing a FOCAS Spotlight Pet program at the county shelters to highlight wonderful pets that are being overlooked
  • Conducting weekend adoption events
  • Operating adoption catteries
  • Advertising animals for adoption
  • Paying some of the veterinary costs and adoption fees when a responsible adopter needs assistance in order to adopt a shelter animal
  • Insisting that all animals be spayed or neutered
  • Operating a foster home program
  • Promoting public education concerning responsible, committed pet ownership

Accomplishments to Date:

  • Just during the last 7 years FOCAS volunteers and staff have more than 5000 documented FOCAS adoptions.
  • In 2007, FOCAS was the leading rescue organization exiting animals.
  • We've refurbished two small houses in collaboration with Animal Medical Center (AMC) in El Cajon to serve as rehabilitation and isolation units for sick or injured animals awaiting adoption.
  • Over the years, we've worked closely with the three county shelters to refurbish kennels, build catteries and fund vaccinations.