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Photos of the 76 rabbits that were transferred from SDHS to HSSA provided by SDHS
Timeline below provided by SDHS
San Diego Humane Society/Humane Society of Southern Arizona August 2023 Small Pets Transfer
Timeline of Correspondence
Monday, July 10, 8:27 p.m.
SDHS initial outreach to HSSAZ.
SDHS has over 400 small pets in care: ask whether HSSAZ are seeing a large uptick in small pets.
SDHS request opportunity to transfer small pets to HSSAZ.
Monday, July 10, 8:31 p.m.
HSSAZ request clarification on what SDHS means by “small pets”.
Monday, July 10, 8:36 p.m.
SDHS confirmation small pets are rats, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Monday, July 10, 8:43 p.m.
HSSAZ requests number breakdown of small pets and that they will see if they can take any and connect with rescue groups in Arizona to see if they have space as well.
Monday, July 10, 8:51 p.m.
SDHS provides breakdown of small pets:
Rats – 86, rabbits – 87, guinea pigs – 215
Wednesday, July 12, 8:29 p.m.
HSSAZ confirms they are waiting to hear back related to the number of animals and expect to by morning.
HSSAZ mentions questions regarding transportation to Arizona, if the number of small pets is the same so everybody has habitats ready.
Wednesday, July 12, 8:57 p.m.
SDHS confirms they will coordinate transport.
SDHS requests information on how many and which species can be accommodated for the transfer.
Thursday, July 13, 2:36 p.m.
HSSAZ requests confirmation that the rabbits have been spayed/neutered.
HSSAZ asks whether the transporting cages the animals would be coming in can remain with them.
Thursday, July 13, 3:58 p.m.
SDHS confirms rabbits will be altered and vaccinated, they will be transported in carriers and SDHS can leave them but would like to bring some back if possible.
Thursday, July 13, 4:13 p.m.
HSSAZ requests information on how many rabbits SDHS would want to transfer to HSSAZ without it being all of them.
HSSAZ also request confirmation on it being possible to transport that number of rabbits.
Thursday, July 13, 4:16 p.m.
SDHS confirm they can transfer 58 altered rabbits and request HSSAZ confirm how many they feel comfortable taking.
Thursday, July 13, 5:30 p.m.
HSSAZ ask SDHS if they can take one dog from them in return – a black and white Pitbull who has been up for adoption since February.
Tuesday, July 18, 2:40 p.m.
HSSAZ sends bio of Bulma, the Pitbull they are hoping to exchange for the small pets.
Tuesday, July 18, 5:03 p.m.
SDHS requests information on Bulma, including medical records, behavior notes, return notes in order to ensure Bulma meets SDHS’ adoption criteria.
SDHS confirms if they can’t accommodate Bulma, they can explore taking a different dog if needed.
Wednesday, July 19, 2:44 p.m.
HSSAZ send behavior, medical and return notes to SDHS regarding Bulma.
Thursday, July 20, 12:55 p.m.
SDHS unable to open PDF file containing behavior notes (entitled “new beginning”) – requests to be resent.
SDHS requests choosing a date for the following week for the transport.
Thursday, July 20, 4:20 p.m.
HSSAZ will work internally to choose a date that works for the transport.
HSSAZ ask if SDHS can take Bulma and how SDHS will be travelling.
Thursday, July 20, 4:22 p.m.
SDHS reiterates not being able to open the behavior notes (“new beginning” file), requests they be resent as SDHS will need to review these before committing to taking Bulmna.
SDHS confirms they will be transferring the pets in one van.
Thursday, July 20, 4:32 p.m. through 4:33 p.m.
Back and forth between SDHS and HSSAZ regarding behavior notes format for resending.
Friday, July 21, 1:19 p.m.
SDHS provides potential transport dates of the following Wednesday (July 26) or Thursday (July 27).
SDHS shares updated breakdown of small pets in care:
Guinea pigs – 225, rabbits – 91 (70 spayed/neutered), rats – 69
SDHS again requests Bulma’s behavior notes from HSSAZ in a different format than PDF
Friday, July 21, 3:20 p.m.
HSSAZ resends Bulma’s behavior notes
Friday, July 21, 3:24 p.m.
SDHS confirms receipts of behavior notes and they have been passed along for internal review.
SDHS requests confirmation on how many small pets to transfer to HSSAZ to begin working on arrangements and timing of travel.
Friday, July 21, 3:26 p.m.
HSSAZ confirm they would like to take all the small pets and will confirm with SDHS by Monday (July 24).
Friday, July 21, 3:45 p.m.
SDHS request a time to meet with HSSAZ on Monday (July 24) to work out logistics.
Thursday, July 27, 10:29 a.m.
HSSAZ requests moving meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, July 28) as they are still working on logistics and will have them set by EOD.
Thursday, July 27, 10:29 a.m.
SDHS confirms rescheduling.
Friday, July 28, 1:08 p.m.
SDHS request to move scheduled start time of virtual meeting.
Friday, July 28, 1:09 p.m.
HSSAZ confirmation to shuffle meeting.
Wednesday, August 2, 1:47 p.m.
SDHS request confirmation from HSSAZ that they would be willing to take guinea pigs that have recently given birth in their care – SDHS DVMs have confirmed they can be transported.
SDHS request name and email address of HSSAZ PR person.
Wednesday, August 2, 1:55 p.m.
HSSAZ confirm they are checking to see if the volume of guinea pigs can be accommodated.
HSSAZ share PR name and email address.
Wednesday, August 2, 2:53 p.m.
Email introduction connecting SDHS/HSSAZ public relations staff members.
Noted that HSSAZ would not be promoting the transfer in their community.
Wednesday, August 2, 3:58 p.m.
SDHS follow up outreach to HSSAZ – request to inform SDHS when the pets safely arrive.
Acknowledged HSSAZ will not have media at their end.
Requested more details about the dog, Bulma, being transferred to SDHS in exchange.
Friday, August 4, 3:54 p.m.
HSSAZ confirmed SDHS has been sent photos and records on Bulma previously, and shared birthday video of Bulma.
Friday, August 4, 4:05 p.m.
SDHS thanked for video and for support with small pets.
Monday, August 7 –
Small pets are transported safely to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. All pets arrive safely and in good condition and are transferred into the care of HSSA staff led by Christian Gonzalez their Chief Program Officer.