For more than a century, the San Diego Humane Society has been one of the region’s most important advocates for animals and the people who care for them. Founded in 1880, the organization today provides an extraordinary range of services, from sheltering, adoption and veterinary care to humane law enforcement, pet reunification, spay-and-neuter programs, wildlife rehabilitation and emergency response. Through its campuses across San Diego County, the Humane Society expects to provide lifesaving services for more than 40,000 animals during 2026 alone.
That commitment was celebrated in grand fashion on October 3, when supporters gathered at the Humane Society’s San Diego campus for the 40th Annual Fur Ball, marking the Ruby Anniversary of one of the region’s most beloved philanthropic traditions. The dog-friendly evening brought an unmistakably San Diego twist to the traditional black-tie gala, as elegantly dressed guests arrived accompanied by four-legged companions of their own. The evening featured a cocktail reception, live and silent auctions, fine wine and a gourmet vegetarian dinner prepared by renowned Chef Jeffrey Strauss of Pamplemousse Grille, followed by an after-party with live music and dancing by Haute Chile.
Yet behind the celebration was an increasingly important mission. San Diego Humane Society continues to confront significant overcrowding at its shelters while providing medical treatment, food, safe housing and compassionate care to animals in need. Funds generated through the Fur Ball directly support these lifesaving programs and help make it possible for the organization to respond not only to homeless and abandoned pets, but also to injured wildlife, animals rescued from cruelty and families who need assistance keeping beloved pets in their homes. The need is substantial, making community support and events such as the Fur Ball an essential part of sustaining that work.
Four decades after the first Fur Ball, the event has become much more than an annual fundraiser. It is a celebration of the remarkable relationship between people and animals and of a community willing to stand behind an organization devoted to protecting both. As San Diego Humane Society President and CEO Dr. Gary Weitzman has emphasized, the generosity surrounding the event enables the organization to continue providing compassionate care at a time when shelters are facing exceptional pressures. The 40th anniversary offered a fitting reminder that behind every adoption, rescue and second chance is a network of volunteers, donors, staff members and supporters helping San Diego Humane Society create a more humane world.
Photography by Heather Broomhall
