The San Diego Humane Society kicked off an ambitious fundraising initiative for local animals Tuesday with two impressive donations.
The “More Humane: The Campaign for Animals,” fundraiser seeks $250 million to “create a more humane world for animals and the people who love them — and keep pets and wildlife in our community safe, now and into the future,” according to a statement from the group.
An anonymous local foundation gave $2.5 million and the Dr. Seuss Foundation gave $1 million to the initiative, SDHS officials said.
The $1 million donation endows a new Dr. Seuss Foundation Humane Educator position at the SDHS.
“We are proud to ensure that our community’s youth have access to humane education, which has shown a direct link to compassion for animals, emotional literacy and academic engagement,” said Brian E.C. Schottlaender, president of the Dr. Seuss Foundation.
“The Dr. Seuss Foundation Humane Educator will focus on under-served communities, delivering humane education while connecting them with the critical resources that San Diego Humane Society offers to help people keep their pets and coexist with wildlife.”
The anonymous gift is intended to go toward expanding spay/neuter efforts.
“We have an ambitious goal to achieve, and we are ready to rise to the challenge to ensure a safer future for animals throughout San Diego and our nation,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego Humane Society.
“Our innovative programs develop solutions to some of the most complicated challenges facing animal welfare organizations across the country.”
More information about the campaign can be found here.
City News Service contributed to this report.