PawPrints Magazine: Winter 2022

FROM DUSK TO DAWN: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR FAVORITE NEW DUO

Meet the Arizona Humane Society’s fourlegged new hires, introducing Animal Teachers (and ferrets) Dusk and Dawn.

Q: Ladies, would you please tell our readers a little bit more about yourselves and how you came to your new role as Animal Teachers?

Dawn: (Yawns, barely awake.) Hmmm, well, we’re almost one year old and come from a big family.

Dusk: (Shakes her head.) No Dawn we’re already one, we just had our birthday, remember?

Dawn: Um, oh yeah! The balloons and extra treats!

Dusk: Yes, and we came from the Arizona Ferret Rescue, a big family with many other ferrets. However, we love our new fur-ever home at the Arizona Humane Society and are enjoying meeting many other creatures, big and small. We especially like the small hoo-mans we teach.

Dawn: They are so great!

Dusk: Indeed they are. Our first experience working with them during the fall break Camp Compassion Crew was a rousing success! We had such a good time working to help share our message for the compassionate treatment of animals, and they were so receptive to us.

Dawn: We also helped teach them about how to care for us –

Dusk: – along with other animals children might have as pets as well as how to be a voice for our animals throughout the world. We take our new job very seriously…

Dawn: But we can still have fun, right Dusk?

Dusk: Of course, but above all, we have a responsibility, and in the coming years, we look forward to interacting with children at camps, birthday parties, and in classrooms, as well as answering questions from animal lovers like you in each issue of Paw Prints. We’ll be seeing you!

Dawn: So long for now! Can’t wait to get to know you better!

Our Mission

We save the most vulnerable animals and enrich the lives of pets and people.

Our

Values

Innovation. Compassion. Excellence.

2022 AHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Dr. Craig Thatcher, Vice Chair

Bryan Albue, Vice Chair

Julie Johnson, Secretary

Board Members

Anthony Alfonso

Yvonne A Betts

Andrea L. Claus

Ann Damiano

Dyan Getz

Lisa Grayson

Suzanne Hensing

Susie Ingold

Matthew Waller, Treasurer

Andrea Marconi, Past Chair

Suzy Juneau

Chad Makovsky

Dr. Edgardo Rivera

Ann Siner

Kristin Slyker

Brian Stoll

Patricia Tate

Dr. Steven R. Hansen, Ex-Officio Board Member

Dr. Steven R. Hansen President & CEO

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE A NEW CAMPUS!

Wow! What a difference a year makes. Over the last year, construction crews have been hard at work on our Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus, making our vision for a new state-of-the-art facility a reality. Since the spring, Ryan Companies have fully excavated the site, completed the concrete foundation, second floor, structural block and steel framing, and kennel areas. In late October, we had the ceremonial “topping out” signifying the placement of the final structural steel beam.

T he Papago Park Campus is n o longer just a dream. We are excited for this next phase as the exterior is constructed and interior work begins. Stay tuned because things are really ramping up! If you have questions or want more information about how this campus will save more of our community’s most vulnerable pets, please visit azhumane.org/transform

AHS WELCOMES THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA VETERINARY MEDICINE STUDENTS

The Arizona Humane Society takes pride in encouraging compassion toward all animals by educating future generations and cultivating talents in the field of veterinary medicine. This fall, our first University of Arizona Veterinary Medicine students completed their shelter rotation within AHS’ teaching hospital.

We expect 100 students to complete the program in the next year, and it could not come at a better time as the industry experiences a nationwide shortage of veterinarians. We hope that with SB 1271 - the loan reimbursement bill that will provide students assistance up to $100,000 - more graduates will be encouraged to choose an Arizona animal welfare organization for their practice.

Over the next several years, with the move to our Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus and the Veterinarian Student Teaching Program with integrated technology for realtime surgery viewing, we expect this program to grow exponentially. With this innovative program, the future is brighter than ever for Arizona’s pets.

The topping out of our final structural steal beam

HOLIDAY DRIVE TO SAVE LIVES BILLY O’TEA GETS A NEW HAIRDO AND LEASH ON LIFE

Billy O’Tea was in rough shape. This sweet Lhasa Apso’s fur was matted to his body, infested with ticks, and he was barely able to move. Billy was utterly helpless against it and the hoarding conditions that kept him confined. Thankfully, the Tempe Police Department, assisted by our Animal Cruelty Investigators, stepped in – and just in time, finding Billy along with 15 other dogs. Our team immediately began treating all the pups at our animal trauma hospital. In addition, little Billy received some much-needed grooming.

Because of compassionate supporters like you, our veterinary team was able to provide expert care for Billy O’Tea without delay, giving him much-needed relief with a new haircut that revealed a brandnew man. Today, Billy is happy as a lark proving the luck of the Irish with his new forever family, all thanks to your commitment to our community’s most vulnerable pets. And today, you can help twice as many pets like Billy by making a donation to our Holiday Drive to Save Lives. When you make a lifesaving gift today, VCA Animal Hospitals will match your donation up to $30,000. To join our Holiday Drive to Save Lives and help two times as many cats and dogs like Billy O’Tea, donate at azhumane.org/yearend.

LITTLE KITTEN JOAN THRIVING IN NEW HOME

Our staff got quite a surprise one morning when they found a stray kitten abandoned on the doorstep of ou r Sunnyslope Campus. Joan, an adorable grey tabby, mewed helplessly, scared and unsure of what was happening as our team took her inside and quickly transferred her to our trauma hospital.

During her check-up, Joan weighed in at under a pound! Worried that she may have underlying conditions affecting her appetite, our team did an extensive exam but found no reason for her physical malnourishment. After some comforting pets and coaxing, Joan eventually found a taste for wet food and moved to our Kitten Nursery, where our incredible volunteers sought to help her put on weight.

Eventually, she ate a healthy amount, and our amazing Foster Heroes took over. Joan thrived in the home setting, and soon she found her new home. Recently, her fur-ever family shared this update with us: “We are absolutely in love with our kitty. Joansie has made all of our lives much more full. She’s so goofy and loves all types of food! If you’re eating a snack – watch out; Joan might get it. Thank you so much.”

If you’re looking for your own Joansie just in time for the holidays, check out all our adoptable pets at azhumane.org/adopt.

PROJECT HOME AWAY FROM HOME: KEEPING PETS IN LOVING HOMES

Between the twinkling lights and mistletoe, Kenneth and his girlfriend smiled as they adopted Bro last Christmas. Unfortunately, things quickly changed in Kenneth’s love life after the New Year. He and Bro suddenly found themselves living under the stars on an extended camping trip. After several months, Kenneth knew they were in an untenable situation, and he found himself at a loss for how to care for his little buddy.

As Kenneth researched his options, he eventually found AHS’ Pet Resource Center. In speaking with our knowledgeable staff, he learned about our Project Home Away From Home program - a temporary Foster Hero program established to help prevent pet surrenders due to loss of employment or housing instability.

Kenneth’s prayers were answered, and Bro spent several weeks in a Foster Hero home and at PetSmart® PetsHotel – a partner through Project Home Away From Home – while Kenneth worked to secure a more stable living situation for them both. In the end, the two reunited, and Kenneth couldn’t be more grateful for the support during a difficult time, “He’s my kid, and it means everything that I am still able to have him with me.”

THE BANFIELD FOUNDATION SUPPORTS AHS’ HEALTHY TAILS MOBILE VETERINARY CLINIC

This fall, the Banfield Foundation generously donated nearly $240,000 to benefit the Arizona Humane Society’s mobile clinic efforts throughout the year! This generous grant and in-kind donation of more than 14,300 vaccines and preventatives will support our Healthy Tails Mobile Veterinary Clinic on the San Carlos Apache and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservations through October 2023. Thanks to this generous grant, AHS will be able to help more than 3,000 pets by providing vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries and other medical care over the course of the year. This grant is critical to our efforts to keep more pets and people together by ensuring our community has access to affordable and free veterinary care for their pets. Thank you, Banfield Foundation.

Thanks to Banfield Foundation, AHS provided free medical care and spay/neuter surgeries to 386 owned pets at the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in November.

KAREN YAMASAKI AND PATRICK O’LEARY: OF

FUR AND

FAMILY

Karen Yamasaki and Patrick O’Leary are kind and generous, long-standing supporters of the Arizona Humane Society. Inspired by our Ethical No-Kill Philosophy™ and fueled by their passion for their own pups (Buddy, Bella, and 5-month-old Winnie the Poodle), Karen and Patrick made their first donation in 2007, and have since become part of our Circle of Friends and members of our President’s Club.

During the pandemic, Karen, her mother Sue, a quilter, and father Jiji, a former engineer for Westinghouse with many patents to his credit, began making masks. With Jiji’s background, they made masks by the hundreds and donated them to friends, family, and hospice organizations. Karen said, “It was a fun activity that kept us busy during a difficult time.”

However, once the demand for masks decreased, they wondered what else they could do with their newly found family hobby. Fortunately, a friend of Karen’s had the answer and showed them how to make dog collars.

Now, Collars by Jiji offers high quality, adorably patterned pet collars made with genuine love and a remarkable family bond. In 2021, Karen’s family began donating Collars By Jiji to AHS. We’ve utilized these cute and colorful collars in many ways, from selling them at the Petique store to being used by our Foster department for AHS’ foster pets. These collars and this family are invaluable supporters of homeless, sick, injured, and abused animals.

Thank you, Karen, Patrick, Jiji, and Sue, for all you do to help save more of our community’s most vulnerable pets.

Jiji and Buddy share a special bond.

AHS pets wear Collars by Jiji when they head to Foster Heroes’ homes.

Collars by Jiji

WE CAN BE HEROES!

Th e Arizona Humane Society n eeds your help caring for our furry friends as we continue to experience an increase in the number of pets coming through our doors and requiring care. By fostering pets in need, “we can be heroes” for more than one day.

Our Foster Heroes are critical to our organization. They provide a safe space that allows pets to relax, heal, and become who they are so they can find their perfect family when adoption time comes. AHS’ Foster Heroes offer consistent, loving care that supports our pets and opens valuable space within our doors so that we can take in even more of our community’s most vulnerable pets. This past year, our heroes fostered more than 5,300 pets, nearly 20 percent more than the previous year. Just imagine what we could do with even more Foster Heroes like you!

Our pets would love to spend the holidays with you. If you have room in your heart and home to help, please visit azhumane.org/foster to see our current pets in need of a loving foster. Together, we can save more of our community’s most vulnerable pets.

Did you know you could book AHS pets for your event or team building experience with our Cuddle Bunch? We bring some of our cutest furry friends right to your doorstep. Whether an office gathering, team-building activity, birthday, or other special celebration, our puppies, kittens, or bunnies are sure to be the hit of the party. They even do weddings, too! Check out azhumane.org/ cuddlebunch to book your event today!

Our pets thank everyone who made this year’s 24th annual Compassion with Fashion a recordbreaking success. During this unforgettable Alice In Wonderland-themed day, your generosity raised over $1.5 million! That’s enough to save the lives of an additional 1,150 of our community’s most vulnerable pets! An incredible feat that even the Queen of Hearts could be proud of. We all had so much fun falling down the rabbit hole while saving lives!

1521 W. Dobbins Road Phoenix, AZ 85041 azhumane.org

Org. U.S. Postage PAID Phoenix, AZ Permit No. 456

SAVE THE DATE FOR HOME IN ONE!

Our 3rd annual Home in One golf tournament will be held on Friday, April 7, 2023, at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale. Join in the fun, from puppies on the putting green to doggies on the driving range, it’s sure to be a fur-tastic day. Go to azhumane.org/golf for ticket and sponsorship information. See you on the green!

THE 2023 AHS CALENDAR

IS HERE!

Celebrate the Joy of Pets all year long with this stunning glossy calendar - the perfect stocking stuffer for every pet lover. This year our calendar features a variety of paw-some pictures, including some of the most paw-sitively adorable dogs, cats, puppies, and kitties! Plus, all proceeds go directly to helping to save the lives of even more animals. Get yours today for just $20, plus shipping and handling, from azhumane.org/calendar

THE JOY OF PETS

DONATE THAT OLD CAR AND SAVE LIVES

In Arizona, the weather outside is rarely frightful, but still, a new car for the holidays would be delightful. If you have an old car or truck and you’d like to upgrade, donate it to the Arizona Humane Society. We skip the middleman, sell directly to buyers, and pick the vehicle up right from your door with our award-winning Wheels for Wags program. Then we use the proceeds to save the lives of homeless, sick, injured, and abused animals, giving you a big tax write-off just in time for the New Year! Simply visit azhumane.org/wheelsforwags.