The Animal Pad

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The Animal Pad

All Breed / All Need Rescue in San Diego. Lots of dogs, and the occasional cat. 🐾
Donation-Based and Volunteer Run. Join the pack.

As a 501c3 nonprofit all-breed dog rescue, we are always looking for adopters, fosters, volunteers, and donations. Please let us know if you would like to get involved by contacting us at [email protected]. To donate:
Venmo
PayPal [email protected]
OR visit our donations page on our website! https://www.theanimalpad.org/donate

We're on Amazon Smile!! Donate just by

making your regular purchases. http://smile.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2FORROEC1AV9F/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_v

05/04/2026

This month marks 3 years that our guy Hippo has been in our care. He is one of our most beloved long-timers. But as much as we love him, we would love for him to find his forever home even more.

We are dedicating this month to Hippo. We will be posting him in some way, shape, or form every day... in hopes that the family he is supposed to be with- the family that’s been waiting for him and vice versa- sees him.

Please watch his video. Learn about everyone’s favorite house hippo. Tag someone, share, and repost. Do all of this for Hippo, to get our guy seen and home. 🦛

Learn more about Hippo at theanimalpad.org/adopt.

01/22/2026

When local businesses show up for rescue dogs, magic happens ✨
A big thank you to David Tam and the team at Tam Wealth Management for their $3,000 donation! Your generosity helps us continue lifesaving work and care for dogs who need it most. We are so grateful, and we couldn’t do this work without partners like you. 🐾

01/15/2026

Bilbo’s abuser is in court this morning awaiting sentencing as we post this, so we thought it was an appropriate time to celebrate the dog we are in awe of every day, and also give some news that we have been holding on to, wishing we didn’t have to share.

Bilbo Baggins came into The Animal Pad’s care in January 2024 after he was rescued from a horrific hoarding situation with a fraudulent “rescue” for special needs dogs in Chandler, Arizona. He was among 55 survivor dogs to make it out of the “House of Horrors” alive.

Bilbo’s journey has not been an easy, or linear one. After 2 years as a complex medical case under our care, multiple surgeries to better his life, and so much love-his past sadly caught up with him. Bilbo has been diagnosed with an untreatable infection in his bone, due to a bad amputation and lack of proper care in his former life, and while we can’t change his prognosis, we can change the rest of his story.

We’re creating a bucket list for Bilbo-one filled with comfort, joy, and all the things a good boy like Bil deserves: special treats, attention, adventures, and of course, love. This time isn’t about “fixing” him; it’s about honoring him. And we plan to do that to the very fullest, every single day.

If you are in the position to donate today, every penny will go directly toward giving Bilbo the very best days possible- whether that’s a new experience, extra support from his medical team, or simply spoiling him rotten for as long as he’s with us. Every contribution, big or small, helps us show up for Bilbo and give him not only the ongoing care he needs, but also a beautiful and enriched prolonged send-off that feels right for him.

And any leftover donations, if there are some, will be put toward an amputation fund in Blibo’s name to help future TAP dogs get the proper and successful amputation surgeries Bilbo wasn’t offered the first time around. Bil’s idea.

Every donation of a certain amount comes with a free gift from Bil himself, so please consider supporting today, and thank you for loving him like we do. 💚

https://givebutter.com/bilbosbucketlist

01/09/2026

Just living in our world today can be so much. Our hope is that looking at these almost unbelievable creatures may provide some mild relief.

That’s been these puppies’ very important job all week, and let me tell you, they’ve been working hard. On Wednesday, these pups got to visit headquarters and make a couple of awesome kids wishes come true through the Make-A-Wish program. And on Sunday, they will be the special guests at Sound Healing, hosted by . If you could use some snuggles, a calming of the nervous system, or just a distraction, there are 4 tickets left and a portion of the proceeds going back to our rescue dogs. ✨
Get tix here: https://theanimalpad.org/events/sound-healing-jan-2025/

These pups and their mama (pictured on the last slide- also soon-to-be adoptable and also adorable) were rescued from a rough situation in San Bernardino. Mama gave birth in a house with nearly 20 other dogs, all of which have received rescue help now. We were asked to take in this little family, and we are so glad we did, because the amount of joy they bring every day is as ridiculous as they are. Honestly, AI could never.

While they aren’t yet posted to our website, they are just under 7 weeks old and will be ready for foster-to-adopt homes in a little over a week! Mama is named Olive. She’s super petite full-grown, and also young, probably around a year or so old. So, if you are looking for a new canine companion who might be the size of a hamster but has the spirit of something much bigger, you can apply now at theanimalpad.org/adopt. Just note your interest in Olive’s litter and our team will be in touch with details. 💚

12/31/2025

TAP WRAPPED 🎶🐾
Our top hits this year: lives saved, second chances given, and a community that showed up every step of the way. Thank you for being part of our 2025 story. 🫶

We can’t wait for what’s coming. 💚

12/13/2025

Tag a friend you want to meet at Tinsel + Tails in EXACTLY ONE WEEK! 🎄🎁🎉

Tinsel + Tails - TAP’s Holiday Extravaganza
5-10pm at BRICK Liberty Station

Free entry, open to the public, family & dog friendly, food trucks, $5 drinks, raffle, silent auction, pawliday market, photo booth, and music all night long from DJ C-Riz!

SEE YA THERE! 💚

https://givebutter.com/c/TinselandTails2025?fbclid=PAVERFWAOpqwdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAafElmptZNR3LeDogwlIgMnloneWacWCsZa-PKBU2mAeuRRXxLcuzLQ-lE6Afw_aem_RqHNRWo45JZg0vKwwI0glg

Address

4620 Avocado Boulevard
La Mesa, CA
91941

Website

http://theanimalpad.org/

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