Join Telemundo 20 and NBC 7 for the annual Clear The Shelters event on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Meet the staff and some cute and adoptable animals at the San Diego County Humane Society’s Gaines Street site.
Within months of entering a nearby shelter, the majority of animals find adopted homes. However, some unfortunate creatures wait for their forever family for years of their lives.
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According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the length of time dogs—especially large dogs—spend in shelters prior to adoption has increased over the past five years, exacerbating the nation’s shelter overpopulation problem.
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Why are some pets left at shelters longer than others?
Some of the longest-serving pets were large, older male dogs, according to a 2021 study published in the National Library of Medicine that examined the traits of Austrian shelter dogs. Despite being neutered, adopters believed they belonged to a “dangerous breed.”
According to the study, stress-related behaviors were also more common in long-term canines, which may indicate that they had trouble unwinding in their shelter setting.
The majority of shelters make this information public in order to keep animals from returning to them, but they make a concerted effort to find homes who can offer these frequently misunderstood friends long-term, specialized care.
How to help
Some of the pets in our shelters in San Diego County have been waiting for their forever homes for months without any fault of their own; some may belong to breeds that are misunderstood, while others may be larger or older than their shelter counterparts, but they are all as worthy of love.
We would want to take this opportunity to showcase some of these long-term shelter pets in the hopes of finding them a forever home during NBC 7 and Telemundo 20’s month-long animal adoption event, Clear the Shelters.
Would you be a good fit for any of these pets?
Meet Roxi, the beach lover
-
Length of stay
: 522 days -
Where
: San Diego Humane Society -
Breed
: American Staffordshire Terrier Mix -
Age
: 11 years, 3 months -
Adoption fee
:Reduced 50% for Clear the Shelters
According to the staff at the San Diego Humane Society, 11-year-old Roxi is the sweetest, most laid-back girl who came from a loving family. but has ended up in the shelter as a result of sad circumstances. Roxi needs a home that can take her on walks and, her favorite, vehicle rides while she is in foster care.
“A beach walk and a car ride to the beach is probably her all time favorite thing to do,” the SDHS said.
Roxi should be the only dog in the house because she is easy to care for and does not react to people or other dogs.
Meet Mateo, your adventure pal
-
Length of stay
: 582 days -
Where
: Chula Vista Animal Care Facility -
Breed
: Siberian Husky -
Age
: 8 years -
Adoption fee
:Waived for Clear the Shelters
For the explorers, this one. Mateo will require a family that shares his active lifestyle. Hiking is advantageous! He loves to be a couch potato after a long day out, but he also likes to have some “me-time,” according to Chula Vista Animal Services. According to the staff, he is courteous, fun to play with, and excellent on a leash. He is referred to by the staff as a “independent king who is good on his own but can socialize as well.”
Meet Mimzy, a shy girl who just needs love
-
Length of stay
: Off-and-on since 2020 -
Where
: The Cat Lounge -
Breed
: Domestic longhair -
Age
: Young -
Adoption fee
: $200
Mimzy’s acute shyness has made it difficult for her to find a family. However, if someone is prepared to put in the effort to help her come out of her shell, she has a lot of love to share despite her timidity.
“She is incredibly sweet and eager to connect, but after so much upheaval, she needs a gentle, patient home where she can truly feel safe,” The Cat Lounge reported.
It will take time for her to open up, so her eventual family should be understanding, committed, and skilled in cat socialization. The reward for the appropriate individual will be a lot of purrs and devoted company. Are you a good fit?
Meet treat-loving Tipperary
-
Length of stay
: 4 years -
Where
: Rancho Coastal Humane Society -
Breed
: Shepherd Mix -
Age
: 5 years -
Adoption fee
:$200
Tipperary has been with the Rancho Coastal Humane Society for approximately four years, having joined at the age of six months. A family willing to take care of the black-and-white Shepherd mix as their only pet has been patiently waiting for her.
This puppy will do anything for a treat and enjoys chasing lizards!
According to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, they are prepared to offer continuing assistance to guarantee a successful and seamless transfer into a forever home. In order to help pets find their forever homes, she even participates in the Foster-to-Adopt program.
Meet Lilly, the life of the party
-
Length of stay
: Nearly two years -
Where
: Rescue Fenix -
Breed
: Husky Mix -
Age
: About 3 years -
Adoption fee
:$200
You need look no farther than Lilly for a loyal friend. The youthful Husky mix gets along well with children and other canines. The staff at Rescue Fenix, where she has been since she was four months old, finds it incomprehensible that she hasn’t found a home yet.
According to the organization, “She is such a mellow, easy-going pup,” CNN reported. “She has many pals at the dog park and is the park’s queen! She enjoys the company and adores other dogs and people.
She will be your snuggling partner at night, but she also enjoys excursions.
Meet silly boy Maddox
-
Length of stay
: 2 years, 7 months -
Where
: San Diego County Animal Services’ Bonita shelter -
Breed
: Husky -
Age
: 4 years -
Adoption fee
:No fee!
Maddox entered the custody of San Diego County’s animal services in January 2024 and was described by the shelter’s facilitators as a foolish lovebug. In addition to being gregarious and well-behaved, he is said to be highly energetic and playful. He gets along nicely with other dogs as well. When speaking with facilitators about Maddox, use ID number A1923240.
Meet Lola, the warrior
-
Length of stay
: 4 years -
Where
: Tragic to Magic -
Breed
: Terrier/Black Lab Mix -
Age
: 4 years -
Adoption fee
:$200
According to the staff at Tragic to Magic, Lola, who was rescued from Tijuana as a puppy, is a real fighter. She has had three leg surgeries despite having an inherited bone problem. She is a little more frail because of her condition, but she gets around just well, albeit with a small wobble.
The incredible thing is that she hasn’t let it stop her in the least. She hasn’t had any injuries since, thanks to a healthy diet and lots of love,” the rescuer stated.
She loves to eat, has a lot of love to give, and loves life.
Meet Bison, a spritely senior
-
Length of stay
: 1 year, 4 months (in an LA shelter prior) -
Where
: Frosted Faces -
Breed
: Husky -
Age
: 15 years -
Adoption fee
:
Although Bison has been in shelters for a longer period of time, he has been with Frosted Faces, a shelter that specializes in finding homes for older pets, since April 2023. Although he can be difficult at times, his love is all the more rewarding for it! However, he must be the only dog in the household.
He is characterized as a calm, kind, and self-sufficient puppy who enjoys keeping himself occupied. He was referred to by a foster as “the perfect low effort dog.”
He’s part of Frosted Faces’ Forget-Me-Not program, which helps provide him with extra love and enrichment and activities tailored just to him. To ensure Bison has a comfortable transition into a loving home, the facility will collaborate with possible adopters. He can be fostered as well!
“Now a healthy 15 years old, Bison is mellowing with age, becoming gentler while still holding onto his big, lovable spirit. He s patiently waiting for that very special family to find him,” the rescue center said.
Meet Taylor, born to be a star like her namesake
-
Length of stay
: 646 days -
Where
: Paws of Coronado -
Breed
: Mixed -
Age
: 4 years -
Adoption fee
:Sponsored by an anonymous donor
Taylor, named after a superstar pop artist making headlines with an album announcement this week, may be equally as talented as her namesake. She has an affinity for fetch, sunshine and cuddle sessions, according to Paws of Coronado, and you’ll know by some heavy tail-wagging.
“She s a true social butterfly and never misses an opportunity to make a new friend just ask any of our staff,” the rescue said.
While Taylor had to have one eye removed for health reasons, it doesn’t slow her down. She does prefer to be the only pup in the home, but does get along well with others while out and about.
