ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY®
SUMMER 2023
NEW TELEMEDICINE BILL TO EXPAND VETERINARY ACCESS PAGE 3
BIG DOGS HAVE THESE 10 RED FLAGS PAGE 5
HOW OUR CONSTANT COMPANIONS SAVE LIVES PAGE 6
FROM DUSK TO DAWN: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR FAVORITE DUO Dusk and Dawn are two of our Animal Teachers who interact with children at camps, birthday parties and in the classroom. In each issue of Paw Prints, Dusk and Dawn will answer a question we receive from animal lovers like you.
Our Mission We save the most vulnerable animals and enrich the lives of pets and people.
Our Values Innovation. Compassion. Excellence.
Q: What makes being a Foster Hero so great, and how does it benefit our pets? Dawn: Well, how much time do you have? Dusk: (Rolls his eyes.) Dawn just means that there is a really long list of reasons why you should become a Foster Hero and temporarily open your home to pets in need. Dawn: (Giggles) Right, sorry, it’s simply one of the best ways the community and the Arizona Humane Society can both come together to help vulnerable animals!
Dr. Steven R. Hansen
Dusk: It really is. Foster Heroes do a great job at expanding our capacity for care by generously opening their homes to animals healing from injuries, mommas that are still nursing their babies or even pets that just need a break from their kennels.
2023 AHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dawn: (Checks notes.) Want to hear something super impressive? Our Foster Heroes allow us to help temporarily place anywhere from 400 to 800 pets at any given time!
President & CEO
Executive Committee Dr. Craig Thatcher, Chair
Matthew Waller, Treasurer
Bryan Albue, Vice Chair
Andrea Marconi, Past Chair
Julie Johnson, Secretary
Board Members
Dusk: That helps keep much-needed kennel space open, especially during busy seasons like the summer. Dawn: And it doesn’t stop there! Did you know that this past year, AHS had 1,486 Foster Heroes who opened their homes and their hearts to 5,317 animals that needed it most? I seriously don’t know how we’d do it without them. Dusk: We couldn’t! That’s why we’re always looking for more. If you’re interested in becoming a Foster Hero, learn more at azhumane.org/foster.
Anthony Alfonso
Suzy Juneau
Yvonne A Betts
Chad Makovsky
Andrea L. Claus
Christine Mellon
Ann Damiano
Dr. Edgardo Rivera
Dyan Getz
Kristin Slyker
Lisa Grayson
Brian Stoll
Suzanne Hensing
Patricia Tate
Susie Ingold
Dr. Steven R. Hansen, Ex-Officio Board Member
AZHUMANE .ORG
2 | PAW P R I N T S
TELEMEDICINE BILL
TO INCREASE ACCESS TO VETERINARY CARE Governor Katie Hobbs has signed into law Senate Bill 1053, which will allow veterinarians licensed in Arizona to establish a veterinary-client relationship through telemedicine. Introduced by Senator T.J. Shope and put forward by the Arizona Humane Society and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, the legislation allows veterinarians to use technology to deliver virtual care to pets in need, bridging the gap between the statewide veterinarian shortage with safe, effective and timely care. Last year alone, we saw a 13 percent increase in the number of animals that were surrendered to our shelter by their owners for medical reasons. Today, if you call our hospitals, the first available appointment is six weeks out. This new legislation helps to keep pets in loving homes and alleviate undue suffering. “Senate Bill 1053 is not just about access to veterinary care, it is about access to quality veterinary care,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, AHS President and CEO. “We know there is a shortage of veterinarians in our state, especially in rural Arizona, and the telemedicine bill will allow veterinarians and veterinary hospitals to triage and manage cases before they are severe and to help patients that need it most. We could not be more thrilled for this important piece of legislation to become law.” Arizona is now just one of a handful of states in the country to implement this exciting and lifesaving legislative action for those who need it most.
BREAK THE CHAIN
RAISING AWARENESS TO DANGERS OF TETHERING The Arizona Humane Society has launched a public awareness campaign to help keep dogs safe this summer. Our ‘Break the Chain’ effort is centered around reminding Arizona pet owners that chaining or tethering their dogs outside is dangerous. The Valley’s scorching temperatures can quickly turn deadly, and tethered dogs can easily become tangled and trapped without water, food or shelter. Tethering can even be against the law in certain Arizona cities. In fact, the Phoenix City Council in July approved revisions to its animal cruelty ordinance, redefining adequate shelter for a pet as being structurally sound and accessible year-round to protect the animal from extreme weather conditions, and of sufficient size to allow animals to enter, stand, turn around and lie down while also having adequate ventilation and drainage. The revision clarifies a pet’s access to food, water and shade and asserts that dry ground must always be available and that chains are no longer an acceptable option for tethering. To learn more about our tethering efforts, visit azhumane.org/breakthechain. SUMMER 2023 | 3
PIT BULL RESCUE REMINDS US HOW DANGEROUS A HOT CAR CAN BE
Even a “mild” day can quickly turn deadly for an animal, especially if they are trapped inside a vehicle. On May 12th, Arizona Humane Society Cruelty Investigators were alerted to a dog in Phoenix reported to have been left in a truck for at least two days. Upon arrival, Georgio, a 1-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier, was found tethered to the front seat of a pickup truck left in direct sunlight. Even though it was “only” 81 degrees outside, the internal temperature of the vehicle was at a sweltering 112 degrees. Georgio was already panting heavily when investigators found him, well on his way to overheating. Once rescued from the truck, Georgio was transferred to AHS’ trauma hospital where it was found that his vitals and prognosis were thankfully good. However, his situation could have quickly gone the other way had AHS not been alerted. Georgio has thankfully found his fur-ever home, but if you want to stay up to date on how you can keep your own pets cool this summer, please visit azhumane.org/nohotdogsaz.
KITTEN RESCUED
AFTER ITS PAW GETS STUCK IN AN ENGINE BELT Sometimes momma cats unintentionally teach their kittens the wrong lessons, like showing them how to hide in a vehicle’s engine block for refuge. That was the case for Spark Plug, a 2-month-old gray tabby cat, who was found with her paw stuck in a car’s engine belt. The Good Samaritan who owned the vehicle unfortunately discovered the kitten after starting her car when she heard yelps coming from under the hood. She quickly shut the car off to check for the source of the noise and saw Spark Plug with her left front paw stuck between the belts, unable to move. Our Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ (EAMT) were contacted, and soon arrived on the scene. With our EAMT’s expertise and the help of a friendly mechanic, the engine belts were loosened, and the kitten’s paw slipped right out! Spark Plug was then transferred to AHS’ trauma hospital where shelter veterinarians treated her for a large laceration, deep muscle exposure and purulent debris. After a month of daily bandage changes, cleaning and medication, Spark Plug made an incredible recovery. Spark Plug was one of the more than 14,000 pets cared for in our trauma hospital this past year. Our trauma hospital, and other lifesaving programs like our Mutternity Suites, Bottle Baby ICU and Parvo ICU help us save the lives of pets routinely euthanized in shelters. You can help us continue to save lives by supporting programs such as our trauma hospital and ICUs with a gift today at azhumane.org/give.
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BE WARNED: BIG DOGS HAVE THESE 10 ‘RED FLAGS’
…AND YOU’LL ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!
Thinking about adopting a big dog? Here’s a few things you should know before welcoming one of these adorably goofy giants into your home. 1. They make it impossible to sit around all day. These humongous furry friends are better at motivating you to move your body than any trainer would be. 2. No lap is too small. No matter the size of the lap, these gentle giants will happily take a seat. 3. It’s too obvious when they’re happy. It begins with a tail wag and turns into a full-body wiggle incapable of hiding their excitement. 4. Their smile is triple the size of a small dog’s. With grins as wide as the Valley’s horizon, sometimes it’s hard to fit all of those pearly whites in our selfies with them! 5. They are total bed hogs. Big dogs are huge spooners and always want to cuddle. Whether you’ll be the big spoon or the little spoon is up to them and only them. 6. They give way too many kisses. Some big dogs hardly have to jump up to reach someone’s face and ambush them with smooches.
7. They won’t appreciate your culinary skills. Big dogs can often be less picky eaters than smaller breeds, so you’ll have to give up your dreams of becoming a Michelin-star dog chef. 8. Forget being approached by strangers. If you take your big dog out on a walk at night, there’s no way anyone is going to bother you. 9. You’ll need to establish a chew toy budget. Few toys will last longer than a couple of days if your big dog has anything to do with it, especially if you make the mistake of playing tug-o-war. 10. Velcro isn’t even as clingy. A big dog’s favorite place in this world is right by your side, with many breeds known to have a strong sense of allegiance and loyalty. Ready to bring home a big dog? Visit azhumane.org/adopt to view all of our big dogs up for adoption.
SUMMER 2023 | 5
DONOR SPOTLIGHT:
GIVING OUR CONSTANT COMPANIONS THE CREDIT THEY DESERVE There’s no other way to put it: The Arizona Humane Society wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our incredible Constant Companion monthly supporters. Constant Companions elect to give recurring donations that provide AHS a reliable stream of income to continue our life-saving services and care for the pets that need us most. Our dedicated Constant Companions are also often our most involved partners and support AHS in a variety of ways. Take Susan Stake for example. Not only has Susan been a beloved Constant Companion for over five years, but she is also a committed volunteer. Susan helps AHS host donor events and is a valued Legacy Circle member. She wants anyone interested in becoming a Constant Companion to know “it’s painless.” She added, “You just make the commitment. It’s charged to your credit card every month, and you don’t realize the importance of that stream of income for the organization until you think about it. It’s just a great way to make sure you’re helping to fund AHS’ daily operating expenses, which is so important.”
Susan Stake
Dale Kennedy is no exception, either. Dale has been a Constant Companion since 2015. He supports AHS as a Legacy Club member and a hardworking volunteer who offers his smiling face and warm welcome to our campuses. Since he watched his first episode of Pets on Parade, Dale knew he wanted to give back to the Valley’s most vulnerable animals. “Being a donor just makes me, and anybody that is involved as a donor, feel more a part of AHS. Like you’re actually contributing,” said Dale. “In my case, with my labor, my love, my time and my money.” And we couldn’t forget about Brian Stawicki, a Constant Companion of nine years. Brian is an outgoing volunteer who loyally maintains the beautiful nature trails at our Nina Mason Pulliam South Mountain Campus. With his can-do, positive attitude, Brian offers invaluable assistance at our Home in One golf tournament and Compassion With Fashion. “AHS gives so much back to the community,” said Brian. “I think monthly giving is very rewarding. Out of all the charities that I’ve worked with or donated to, AHS stands out. They just do so much.”
Dale Kennedy
Thank you to each and every one of our Constant Companion monthly donors just like Susan, Dale and Brian. Interested in becoming a Constant Companion and making a lifesaving impact each and every month? Sign up today at azhumane.org/ constantcompanion.
Brian Stawicki
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THE FINAL COUNTDOWN TO PAPAGO PARK CAMPUS The Arizona Humane Society is just months away from the grand opening of its Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus, and the excitement surrounding the ushering in of this new, lifesaving campus that will transform animal welfare in our community is mounting! Last month, construction reached 79% completion, and significant progress was made in the ceiling, glass and glazing and painting trades. Additionally, work has continued on the campus’ exterior finishes, offsite sidewalks and the installation of doors, ceramic tile and millwork. To learn more about the tremendous impact this state-of-the-art campus will have on our community, visit azhumane.org/transform.
YOUNG ANIMAL LOVERS TAKE IN SUMMER CAMP AHS’ award-winning summer camps welcomed more than 430 young pet enthusiasts to explore the world of animals during STEAM-based programs during June and July. For more information on upcoming youth programs, visit azhumane.org/youth.
SHOP AND SAVE LIVES AT AJ’S FINE FOODS IN SEPTEMBER Throughout September, when you shop at any of AJ’s 11 stores across the Valley, you’ll have the opportunity to support our community’s most vulnerable pets. AJ’s will be accepting donations to the Arizona Humane Society at check-out. Simply ask the cashier to add any amount to your total at the register and help save homeless, sick and abused pets. Shop, donate, and save lives!
SUMMER 2023 | 7
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Phoenix, AZ Permit No. 456
1521 W. Dobbins Road Phoenix, AZ 85041 azhumane.org
WIN BIG
FOR YOURSELF AND PETS IN NEED! It’s the dog days of summer, and the Arizona Humane Society’s 50/50 Raffle is back in August and turning up the heat! By visiting azhumaneraffle.com, you can enter and potentially walk away with tens of thousands of dollars while helping pets in need. The last lucky winner of our 50/50 Raffle took home over $20,000, and the other half of the jackpot went directly towards saving the lives of our community’s most vulnerable animals. You play, pets win!
DON’T KIT-NAP THIS KITTEN SEASON When we find a litter of kittens, our instincts tell us to rush to the aid of these fragile felines, but human intervention is typically not required. The best thing we can do is leave the kittens alone, especially as kitten capacity increases across shelters. Mom will likely return shortly, and it’s critical that the kittens remain in her care as she offers the best chance for survival. Once the kittens are eight weeks old, contact us to get the whole family spayed/ neutered. Learn more at azhumane.org/foundkittens.
PUT THE BRAKES ON PET HOMELESSNESS
When you purchase a pet-friendly license plate, you will be the driving force against pet overpopulation and homelessness. Pet-friendly Arizona plates are available for only $25, with $17 from each plate helping to support spay and neuter services for dogs and cats in Arizona. You can order your plates by going to azpetplates.org or by calling the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division office near you.