Rancho Coastal Humane Society

Rancho Coastal Humane Society Saving lives, supporting pets & people, and finding forever homes since 1960. RCHS is a non-profit 501(c)(3)
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Dedicated to the San Diego community since 1960, Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) was founded by animal lover Maria K. Lloyd who purchased property off a small dirt road in Encinitas, California. At that time the shelter was home to dogs, cats, birds, goats, sheep and even a b***o named Milton. Today, that dirt road is the I-5, but the shelter still resides in the small yellow house where Lloy

d once lived. RCHS is known for its personalized pet adoption process and humane education. We’re also recognized for programs and services that strengthen the human-animal bond, including the Animal Safehouse Program, pet food banks and community outreach that all provide a “helping paw” to people in crisis. At RCHS we believe everyone should be able to keep their beloved pets safe, healthy and by their sides. We have no government contracts and are supported only by individual donors, grants and foundations, and our Thrift Shop. Based on statistical reporting through the national database, Shelter Animals Count, RCHS currently maintains a 100% Live Release or Save Rate. This refers to the percentage of animals leaving the shelter either through adoption, transfer or return to owner. For more information on the number of people and animals served, please visit our annual highlights report. Part 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. Our shelter stands with the Coalition and abides by the Asilomar Accord when it comes to serving this community and its animals!

🏆 Foster Highlight: Claire & Vivi 🏆This Foster-a-Pet Month, we're celebrating Claire Brocato, one of our incredible Anim...
06/18/2026

🏆 Foster Highlight: Claire & Vivi 🏆

This Foster-a-Pet Month, we're celebrating Claire Brocato, one of our incredible Animal Safehouse Program (ASP) fosters!

Claire first met Vivi, a playful 10-month-old deaf French Bulldog, while volunteering at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. When Vivi's family needed support through our Animal Safehouse Program, Claire stepped up and welcomed her into her home.

During her stay, Vivi enjoyed enrichment activities, plenty of love, and even a built-in playmate with Claire's resident dog. Most importantly, Claire provided Vivi with the comfort and stability she needed while her family worked through a difficult time.

Thanks to Claire's compassion and dedication, Vivi was able to safely reunite with her family, where she is now living her best life.

Thank you, Claire and family, for opening your hearts and home to pets and people in need. ❤️

Inspired by Claire's story? Become a foster volunteer and help provide a safe place for animals when they need it most. Visit SDPets.org/foster or click the link in our bio to learn more.

Adoption Update: Freddy Spaghetti (aka Bucky)We recently received a wonderful update from Freddy Spaghetti's family, and...
06/18/2026

Adoption Update: Freddy Spaghetti (aka Bucky)

We recently received a wonderful update from Freddy Spaghetti's family, and it sounds like he's settling into his new home beautifully!

Freddy has already become best buddies with his new dad, is doing great with potty training, and has been making steady progress building confidence and learning new skills. His family says he's doing well meeting new people, especially when treats are involved, and they absolutely adore him.

Hearing stories like Freddy's reminds us why we do what we do. Thank you to his family for giving him the loving home he deserves—we can't wait to see what adventures are next for this lovable pup!

❤️

☀️ Summer is here, and so is our next FREE Community Vaccination Clinic! 🐾Join us on Saturday, July 11 from 9 a.m. – 12 ...
06/17/2026

☀️ Summer is here, and so is our next FREE Community Vaccination Clinic! 🐾

Join us on Saturday, July 11 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Rancho Coastal Humane Society for free vaccines and support services to help keep pets healthy all season long.

Special thanks to Love , SNAP - Spay Neuter Action Project , and San Diego Humane Society for making this event possible.

📍 Rancho Coastal Humane Society
📅 July 11 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Register today: SDPets.org/vaccineclinic or through our link in bio!

Look Who Made It Big: Ernie the Porkie!You may remember Ernie as Ewok, who was adopted from Rancho Coastal Humane Societ...
06/15/2026

Look Who Made It Big: Ernie the Porkie!

You may remember Ernie as Ewok, who was adopted from Rancho Coastal Humane Society in 2023. Today, he's sharing smiles online through his own social media accounts and spreading joy with his funny videos and big personality.

We love when adopters create social media pages for their pets because it lets us watch our former residents thrive long after they've found their forever homes. Seeing happy updates like this is one of the best parts of what we do.

Thank you to Ernie's family for sharing this update with us.

Could your pet help brighten someone’s day?Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s Pet-Assisted Therapy teams bring comfort and ...
06/13/2026

Could your pet help brighten someone’s day?

Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s Pet-Assisted Therapy teams bring comfort and connection to schools, senior communities, healthcare facilities, and more throughout San Diego County.

Interested in therapy work with your pet? Our partner, Get Pawsitive Dog Training, is offering a 6-week Heart to Heart Pet-Assisted Therapy Prep Class:

• June 16
• June 30
• July 7
• July 14
• July 18 (Facility Outing)
• July 21

Pets must be 6 months or older.

For class information: [email protected]
For PAT program information: [email protected]

Tag someone with a friendly, people-loving pet!

Did you know Rancho Coastal Humane Society offers more than just adoptions?From inspiring the next generation of animal ...
06/12/2026

Did you know Rancho Coastal Humane Society offers more than just adoptions?

From inspiring the next generation of animal lovers through Kids Animal Camp, to bringing comfort through our Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) program, we're proud to serve both people and pets throughout our community.

We also help families stay together through our Animal Safehouse Program (ASP), which provides temporary care for pets during times of crisis, and Brock’s Community Pet Food Bank, which helps pet owners access food and supplies when they need a helping paw.

These programs are just a few of the ways we're working to create a more compassionate community for animals and the people who love them. ❤️

Learn more at SDPets.org

🐾

Tomorrow night!Join us at for Benefit Bingo Night and help support the animals at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Enjoy ...
06/10/2026

Tomorrow night!

Join us at for Benefit Bingo Night and help support the animals at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Enjoy pizza, beer or wine, and a fun evening of Bingo, all while making a difference for pets in need.

📅 Thursday, June 11
⏰ 5:30–8 PM
📍 Hangar 76

All proceeds from Bingo card sales benefit Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Grab your friends and come play for a purpose!

Happy Tails Update: Miss Plankton (now Misty) 💕🐾Misty’s adopter shared that she is doing great and has really started co...
06/10/2026

Happy Tails Update: Miss Plankton (now Misty) 💕🐾

Misty’s adopter shared that she is doing great and has really started coming out of her shell after surgery earlier this week. She’s been relaxing at home, curling up on the couch for naps, and settling beautifully into her new routine.

We’re so happy to hear Misty is feeling more comfortable and loved in her forever home already. 💛

Looking for your own best friend? Visit SDPets.org to meet our adoptable animals.

Address

389 Requeza Street
Encinitas, CA
92024

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4am

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