2019 IMPACT REPORT
Whether it’s being rescued by AAWL’s team that has driven countless hours around the state, or being surrendered at our shelter, for the 4,000 homeless animals we save each year: All roads lead home.
aawl.org/AllRoads
Rescued From Across The State, But All Their Roads Lead To A Home.
ALUMNI MAP
PITAYA
SIR JACK JACK
BABY
MARIA
AUBREE
COTTON
BOBCAT NOVA
LAVENDER NATHAN
TRIDENT
FOX WOOKIE 2 Alumni Map
ALL ROADS LEAD HOME
Dear Friend: As 2019 draws to a close we hope you will read this report and think about how important your support is to the thousands of homeless animals we have helped over the last 48 years and those we will continue to help in the future. Most of our funding comes from individual donations throughout the year and, without them, we would not exist. As the saying goes, “All roads lead home” and this couldn’t be more illustrative than in the featured stories we were honored to be part of this year. They may start out with despair, challenges, and impossible situations, but each one ends with someone opening their hearts and their homes to make a difference in an animal’s life. And, of course, it always turns out that the love they give is returned many times over by the pet they saved. Please help us continue our lifesaving work and make a donation today. No amount is too small, and every dollar is critical. More than 82% of every dollar goes toward helping animals in our care. It takes all of us; staff, volunteers, adopters, and donors to make the lives of these innocent animals change from desperation to happiness, and there is no better joy than being a part of that effort. We wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous year and thank you for your support. Warm Wishes,
Judith Gardner President & CEO P.S. All donations received by December 31st, 2019 will be doubled, up to $50,000, thanks to a generous donor.
aawl.org/AllRoads I’m Arcanine, and AAWL saved my life. They drove 10 hours across Arizona, hundreds of miles to give me a chance. They didn’t know I had three separate life-threatening diseases, they didn’t know my past, but they knew I needed their help. I was rescued by my new friend Benny, he was there for me when I was too weak to climb into the truck and he carried me, he was there when I was scared in their clinic and held my paw, he was there for me through months of recovery until I found my family. Now I want to be there for them. Let me be your guide through the programs and people that save over 4,000 lives every year at AAWL and see the difference your donation makes.
All Roads Lead Home 3
RURAL RESCUE
Cold to the touch, he lifted their tiny bodies from the cardboard box; their only protection from the snowfall in the empty campground where they were dumped. The ranger stuffed them into his thick jacket as he raced to his cabin, praying he wasn’t too late. He placed a pot upon the stove with an old shirt inside, gently laid the lifeless puppies onto the shirt, and slowly heated up the oven underneath the stove; the only option in his spartan homestead. Time stopped. What felt like hours passed, until the puppies slowly opened their eyes and cried for food. With a breath he held all morning, he dialed a woman he heard rescued hundreds of animals and helped them find homes in Phoenix through AAWL’s “Rural Rescue” program. A woman who takes the hardest cases from his rural Arizona because she had the support of a nokill shelter. So small he cupped his hands around them, he knew his puppies were going to be okay.
PIXIE 249 RURAL RESCUE TRANSPORTS ACROSS THE STATE IN 2019
For weeks, the rumors swirled through the small town; a dog darting through the dark, hiding, with a muzzle strapped to her face. Knowing AAWL helped her save emergency cases before, our Rural Rescue partner tracked the dog until she spotted her. So emaciated and tired, her face trapped in a muzzle stopped her from eating or drinking. After days of attempts, she was finally trapped, then rushed to AAWL for medical treatment. Pixie’s face was covered in sores, her face rubbed raw from the muzzle, her body starved from weeks of not eating. Our medical team sat with her for days slowly hydrating her, slowly feeding her, and gently cleaning her wounds. Pixie craved any contact, forcing her head into laps for comfort. A family who adopted one of AAWL’s longest longtimer dogs, Jake, heard her story and knew they were the family she deserved; now Astrid, she and Jake host slumber parties with the family’s girls and steal the bed from their dad.
4,299 DOGS AND CATS SAVED BY AAWL IN 2019
4 Rural Rescue
31,000 LBS OF FOOD DONATED TO RURAL RESCUE PARTNERS
I can’t express in just a couple sentences how meaningful this relationship has been for our rescue and our local shelters. Many of these animals suffer from medical or behavioral challenges beyond the capability of our local groups to manage; you provide us and those animals a lifeline of hope.
47,129 MILES DRIVEN ACROSS ARIZONA FOR RURAL RESCUE THIS YEAR
– BJ, Rural Rescue Partner
ALADDIN 9,587 ADOPTIONS IN 7 YEARS FROM CHANDLER ADOPTION CENTER AFTER REPLACING A PUPPY MILL STORE
So weak he couldn’t stand, Aladdin had given up hope, given up on the world he thought had given up on him at the rural gas station he called home. As he resigned himself to a life no animal deserved, he felt a hand lift his head to drink. He pulled away instinctively; he had forgotten the touch of a kind hand. Our Rural Rescue partner carried him to her car, knowing she had the full support of AAWL to save his life, as they had done for years with her hardest rescues. Driven hundreds of miles, Aladdin was fawned over by our medical team, slowly washing away the fear and neglect he felt from years alone. Every day growing stronger, Aladdin learned the power of compassion as he ventured back into a community of caring. In the perfect fairy tale ending, his new mom had a deep love of “Rez dogs”; She had traveled with AAWL, helping build a shelter to protect dogs like him in Northern Arizona. His long road had finally led to a home.
Until AAWL’s Rural Rescue truck rolled down my dirt road, I didn’t know if my life was going to have a happy ending. Like me, there are thousands of amazing dogs and cats at rescues and shelters across Arizona looking for a chance at a better life. Rural Rescue partners are dedicated and passionate people, but many lack the resources to find us all a family of our own. AAWL’s team travels over 1,000 miles a month, sometimes 14 hour days to help 32 partners across the state. Abandoned puppies, moms fighting to protect their babies from the barren desert, animals rescued from the most dire situations, all finally given a chance to lead their best lives. Like me, they receive the best medical care, a warm bed, and love from staff and volunteers while they wait for their new family. Take it from me, when you don’t know if you’ll see the sun rise again, that truck was the greatest sight of my life. The life I now spend with a loving family.
AAWL
Rural Rescue 5
VOLUNTEER
55,000 HOURS LOGGED BY VOLUNTEERS THIS YEAR
Running a low-cost vaccine clinic every month for more than 140 families (and over 200 animals) in four hours sounds daunting to many, but the group of volunteers who run our MD PetCare’s clinics know it’s a valuable asset to the community that fills them pride. These volunteers have come together from all walks of life to share a common goal of providing affordable health care for all animals, rocking these clinics with smiles and laughter the entire time. From bilingual support, drawing vaccines, to processing paperwork and line control, the volunteers at these clinics have the process down to a science and provide the best customer service you could ask for.
1,200 VOLUNTEERS IN 2019 SUPPORTING AAWL
Volunteers are the best champions for our shelter animals. When they see an animal struggling to find its place in the shelter, they swoop them under their wings and provide them with the security and comfort they need to shine. Volunteers create social media pages for our longtimer dogs and cats to show off their personalities, take them into their homes for Gimme-A-Breaks (GAB’s) – allowing the pups a chance to decompress out of the shelter for a couple of days, and they provide some of the best marketing ideas we have ever seen – including a custom, remastered Guess Who? Game that was reworked with all shelter dogs. The volunteer behind @MEOWPHX captures the personality of AAWL’s shelter cats like no one else. She debunks the myth that good photos require a fancy state-of-the-art camera; with an iPhone and small light in hand, she sets out to document the lives of AAWL cats and kittens.
55 SPECIAL EVENTS TO RAISE MUCH NEEDED DONATIONS AND AWARENESS TO BATTLE PET HOMELESSNESS
I’m Arcanine, and AAWL saved They my life. drove 10 hours across hundreds do itThey all, literally. When I was sick,Arizona, they comforted meof in miles the clinic. When I was to give me a chance. They didn’t tired knowafter I had three separate life-threatening diseases, they the constant medical treatments to save my life, theydidn’t fed me by hand until I know my past, but they knew I needed theirI walked help. This Benny, he my wasconfidence, there for me when Ito was was strong. withisthem to gain I snuggled feel safe while they to me; theyme, were They give to guarantee every too weak to climb into the truck read and he carried hemy wasfamily. there when I wasthemselves scared in selflessly their clinic animal at AAWLmonths is happy.ofEvery animal whoI found now hasmy a home, and held my paw, he was there for me through recovery until family.every Nowdog who played in every scared kittenthe whoprograms blossomedand has people a volunteer thank. Thank you for I want to be there for them. Letplaygroups, me be your guide through thattosave always being there for us. over 4,000 lives every year at AAWL and see the difference your donation makes.
6 Volunteer
54 MOMS WITH 249 NURSING BABIES WERE RESCUED THROUGH FOSTER
On June 4th we celebrated the Grand Opening of our newly renovated foster building named after long-time foster parent and supporter, Roberta Pederson. The building was completely redesigned to allow for better separation of animals, better disease control, and the addition of kennels for nursing moms with their puppies. The Foster Department can now take in more underage puppies and kittens, while better coordinating care for animals who need time to heal after surgery. The bright, clean new space is a major improvement to our campus and allows us to care for even more fosters in the future.
FOSTER
Loaded gently onto a truck and driven hours across the state, Anya knew they would be safe. Her puppies, only a few hours old, would be given the life they deserve at their new home; AAWL. Kennels full, but our team knowing they had to save her, Anya spent her first few days living in an office with her puppies; proudly showing them to everyone who passed, proud of the life they would now live. Through the vet appointments, the vaccines, moving into a loving foster home, Anya always had a kind heart and the support of our foster team. After raising dozens of moms every year and hundreds of puppies, our team knew how to spoil Anya and help her puppies flourish. After weeks of intensive foster care, there was only happiness as her puppies and Anya found their forever homes.
178 FAMILIES FOSTERED 1,321 VULNERABLE PUPPIES AND KITTENS
I’m Arcanine, and AAWL saved my kittens life. They drovecome 10 hours across of miles is When in boxes through our Arizona, doors, ourhundreds foster department to give me a chance. They didn’t know I had three separate life-threatening diseases, they there. When mamas and their puppies brave hundreds of miles fordidn’t a better know my past, but they knew life, I needed help. This is Benny, was there fordogs me when fostertheir families keep them safe andhehealthy. When like meI was need a quiet to recover lifesaving surgery, there’s always roomclinic for one too weak to climb into the truck andplace he carried me,from he was there when I was scared in their Asthrough they expand theirof foster program more of the most and held my paw, he was theremore. for me months recovery untiltoI save found mylives family. Now vulnerable, reliesthrough on the community to open hearts, their I want to be there for them. Let me be AAWL your guide the programs andtheir people thatand save homes, to give animals the support they need. over 4,000 lives every year at AAWL and see the difference your donation makes.
Foster 7
MEDICAL MIRACLE FUND
$184,898 INVESTED INTO 345 MEDICAL MIRACLE FUND CASES TO GIVE SECOND CHANCES
BIG GRAY
The man came into MD PetCare, our low-cost veterinary clinic, carrying a very large cat. He was obviously distraught and worried. They had been to another vet where the owner was told his cat’s leg needed to be amputated, but he was unable to afford the surgery. Our medical team went to work –Besides the injured leg, our vet discovered Big Gray’s eye had been destroyed by Glaucoma and he also suffered from an immunodeficiency virus. The next few months were filled with surgery to remove the eye that was damaged, receiving multiple medications, surgery on his leg, and many bandage changes. His dad brought him religiously to receive treatment. Big Gray was such a gentle boy and remained calm during all of the needles and bandage changes. Thanks to a grant we received, we were able to underwrite much of his care so that the owner was able to keep his precious cat and we were able to save a life.
2,383 PETS RECEIVED LOW COST VET SERVICES THROUGH MD PETCARE
ANGRY AND TERRIFIED, CAT RETURNS TO AAWL AFTER 10 YEARS
Adopted as a kitten, Flurb was angry to find himself back in the shelter 10 years later, after his family lost their home. As much as his anger might have been justified, the real source of his unhappiness was a serious ear infection that had never been treated. The medical and animal care team worked together for five months to care for him, ultimately having to solve the life-threatening ear infection through specialized surgery to remove his ear, ear canal, and all his teeth. As if by a miracle, Flurb became an incredibly sweet cat, seeking out friends, purring and head butting visitors in the cattery. Within two weeks of his medical release, Flurb was in a loving home where he continues to thrive. Thanks to AAWL’s Medical Miracle Fund, no expense was spared in saving Flurb’s life and restoring him to good health.
8,725 LOW COST VACCINES PROVIDED TO OUR COMMUNITY
FINDING HIS WAY IN THE DARK
The 3 year-old Syrus was in terrible pain with a mysterious infection in his right eye. His left eye already gone due to the infection, the pain was intolerable. Of course, he couldn’t tell anyone, but it was clear something serious was wrong. After multiple consultations with various specialists through the Medical Miracle Fund, his ophthalmologist discovered a rare disease specific to the rural area from which he was rescued. After an extensive and high-risk surgery, the pain was gone, but Syrus was now blind. AAWL’s behavior team, volunteers, and a foster family stepped up, working with him every day to teach him how to navigate this new, but pain-free, world. We know the right person is out there that will take Syrus into their home and give him the love he deserves for the rest of his life.
I’m Arcanine, and AAWL savedobjectives my life. They drovemy 10 life: hours across Arizona, hundreds of miles Simple that saved Make animals healthy, free them from their pain, give to give me a chance. They didn’t know I had three separate life-threatening diseases, they didn’t them hope, be there when others have turned away, be there for those who seek help. It was me know my past, but they being knewcarried I needed theirclinic help.for This is Benny, he Itwas for me when was to their a chance at life. wasthere my friend Syrus, or ISweetums, or Shadow thetruck weeksand after. Every month, come to their from Arizona desperate for too weak to climb into the he carried me, heanimals was there when I wasdoor scared in across their clinic chance through themonths MedicalofMiracle Fund: specifically and held my paw, he wasthat there for me through recovery untilmoney I founddonated my family. Now for the “above and beyond” extreme the cases. These funds saved countless I want to be there for them. Let memedical be yourneeds guideofthrough programs andhave people that save lives and given second chances to the most at risk. I owe my life to AAWL and the Medical Miracle Fund. over 4,000 lives every year at AAWL and see the difference your donation makes.
8 Medical Miracle Fund
As AAWL enters its 49th year of saving animals, AAWL must constantly evolve and change to meet the current and future needs of the animals we save. The animal welfare landscape in the Valley has changed dramatically in the past 7 years: The euthanasia rate has dropped by 87% and the animal intake numbers have dropped by 47%, thanks to the Fix.Adopt.Save initiative we helped pioneer. Welcoming this success, we built shelter diversion programs and increased our owner surrender program, while growing the Rural Rescue Partnerships across Arizona. Over the years, AAWL has adapted to the changing needs in the community. In early 2020, we break ground on a new medical isolation building, replacing an aging building in the center of our campus. The new isolation building will be connected to our clinic and have stateof-the-art materials and equipment for a Parvo ward, 4 individual indoor-outdoor sections for dogs (each with its own ventilation system), and a separate cat isolation area. Kennels from our original shelter built in the 80’s will also receive a total rebuild to provide the best possible environment for dogs arriving at AAWL. While they wait for our medical and behavioral teams, or recover from surgery, their kennels will have new fencing, new HVAC, and a more comfortable atmosphere in which to decompress as they wait to be released for adoption.
FUTURE PLANS
ADAPTING TO THE UNEXPECTED
Earlier in 2019, AAWL was dismayed to learn one of our two transport trucks had been involved in an accident, totaling the vehicle (thankfully, no animals or people were hurt). Thanks to our generous supporters, donations were raised to purchase a new transport vehicle which will be delivered before 2020. This more powerful, 4-wheel drive, custom transport truck will help us reach our partners in the most remote and unpopulated areas of the state under any weather conditions.
To help AAWL with these and other necessary projects, please consider a donation to the aawl building fund – just note on the donation that your gift is restricted to the building fund.
I’m Arcanine, and AAWL saved my life. They drove 10 hours across Arizona, hundreds of miles to give me a chance. They didn’tcomes knowtheir I hadway, three life-threatening diseases, theyand didn’t Regardless of what theseparate Arizona Animal Welfare League continues expands know my past,their butlong theytradition knew I needed their Thisabandoned, is Benny, and he was there for meanimals. when I was of helping sick,help. injured, abused homeless As their too weak to climb intogrows, the truck carried me, he was there when Ifor wascare. scared in their clinic campus whatand theyheare truly growing is their capacity More animals will find and held my paw, he was for like me through of recovery until I found family. Nowin the homes, morethere animals me will bemonths saved from deadly diseases, moremy families made community, moreLet opportunities to guide help people whothe careprograms for animalsand across the state. I want to be there for them. me be your through people that save over 4,000 lives every year at AAWL and see the difference your donation makes.
Future Plans 9
EDUCATION PERCY I am here for them, because someone was there for me. My name is Percy, and I was rescued by AAWL. I owe them everything and have dedicated my life to saving those who are as vulnerable as I once was: Bullied children. I’m helping end the vicious cycle of bullying by visiting classrooms and teaching children responsibility, compassion, integrity, and selfcontrol. AAWL’s “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully” program shows them they aren’t alone, they have incredible people wanting to help, like they helped me. Although I can’t speak, I show them the power of words. I may have four paws and a wet nose, but the kids see themselves in me when I visit. They see who they want to be; A buddy to all, a bully to none.
She looked around the classroom, dozens of campers looking up at her from where she sat years before. Taylor’s passion for animals was incredible even from an early age: She spent her summers with AAWL’s animal ambassadors during camp, volunteer days, and any opportunity she could find to foster her love. As she grew older, she nurtured that passion in others as a camp counselor for the same camps she had attended, teaching the lessons of compassion and animal welfare. She now stood before them as a veterinary student, speaking of the great things they can achieve with the help of AAWL, her love now blossoming into a life of saving the animals that always brought her such happiness. She is the future of animal welfare, continuing to change the world around her.
2,195 CHILDREN BECAME ANIMAL ADVOCATES THROUGH YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS
213 STUDENTS TAUGHT THE VALUE OF BEING A BUDDY, NOT A BULLY
413 CAMPERS IN OUR WEEKLONG, STEM DRIVEN CAMPS TO PROMOTE ANIMAL WELFARE
I’m Arcanine, and AAWL saved my life. TheyI have drovea secret 10 hours Arizona, milesthe end to puppy Hello, my little friends. onlyacross for you: you’re hundreds the future.ofYou’re to give me a chance. They didn’t know I had three separate life-threatening diseases, they didn’t mills, the cruelty to my friends, the abandonment of innocent animals on doorsteps or tied outside. know my past, but they knewyou I needed their help. is Benny, he was there for me when I was What learn through theseThis doors in summer camp, leadership building Teen Tracks, Antiprograms Percy!), andwas dozens yearlong willtheir guide you through life. Be too weak to climb intobullying the truck and he (Hi carried me, he thereofwhen I wasactivities scared in clinic kind, celebrate differences, love animals;until buildI found the future you want to see. It may seem and held my paw, he was there for meyour through months of all recovery my family. Now a heavy but asguide you share your the message, your work will become I want to be there for like them. Let burden, me be your through programs and people thateasier, save your friends will Arcanine & His Rescuer Benny more lives bethe saved. I’m counting it; my friends are counting on you. over 4,000 lives everygrow, yearand at AAWL andwillsee difference yourondonation makes.
10Education
SPECIAL THANKS COMMUNITY PARTNERS
AAWL is proud to be one of seven animal welfare organizations in the Valley that collaborate on the Fix.Adopt.Save initiative which began in 2012. Supported by grants from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, PetSmart Charities, and the Arizona Community Foundation, we have collectively reduced the euthanasia rate in our community by 87% and the intake by 45% since we began in 2012. This incredible achievement has only been possible with hard work, cooperation, and collaboration, due to the support of our funders. For additional information visit fixadoptsave.org.
2019-2020 AAWL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Susan Bolton John Breslow Sonia Breslow Jenny Budwig Elyse Fune Lisa Grayson Roberta Pederson Jim Pederson Heidi Fransway John Fransway Paula Burgess
Don Burgess Vik Krishnaswamy Jon Lane Shane Olafson Norma Ory Adrianne Sloat Don Tapia Rich Meyer Amit Sahasrabudhe Jeanne Baldwin
AAWL 2019 BOARD MEMBERS
AAWL’S WORK IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO CARE Marjorie Chapman Memorial Fund The Moller Foundation Alicia Maharty Foundation Bissell Pet Foundation Remington Family Foundation Kroger Arizona Community Foundation The Perrin Foundation ECO Sciences Pets for Vets CopperPoint Insurance Double AA Builders Animal Medical & Surgical Center SunWest Federal Credit Union AmazonSmile Foundation Desert Financial Credit Union
BMO Harris Bank Intel Frantzman Scott Charitable Foundation USAA Quarles & Brady LLP Pet Planet Morgan Stanley Blue Cross Blue Shield of AZ JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Inc. Cox Charities Merck Animal Health The D.L. Withers Charitable Foundation Capital Power Happy Dog Phoenix
THANK YOU PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT
A special thank you to the Phoenix Police Department and their community engagement team. Whether it’s Officer Kiley Venard speaking to campers year after year about warning signs of animal abuse, K9 officers showing the professionalism and passion of their working dogs, or officers knowing AAWL will help care for the animals they find abandoned, we are proud of our work together to build a better community.
Amrita Sahasrabudhe (Chair) Kenny Farrell (Vice Chair) Pam Eggert (Treasurer) Jamie Erickson (Secretary) Diane Liberman Erika Ferrin Kyle Paskey Elyse Meyer Tina DeNicole Christine Smith Robert Abramson
STAFF
Judith Gardner President & CEO Christina Flanagan Director of Operations Michael Morefield Director of Marketing & Communications Danielle Briggs Director of Finance Whitney Steele Director of Volunteers & Special Events Susan Logan Director of Education & Training Kaitlyn Vorherr, DVM Lead Veterinarian
Special Thanks 11
25 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85034
ARIZONA ANIMAL
25
WELFARE LEAGUE & SPCA
UPCOMING EVENTS AAWL 25 N
EVENING TO PAWS March 7, 2020 WALK TO SAVE ANIMALS November 7, 2020
UNLEASHED December 1, 2020 CAMP Spring Break Camp March 9 - 13 Summer Camp June 1 -July 31
aawl.org/allroads
VACCINE CLINICS Jan 18, Feb 15, March 21, April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug 15, Sept 19, Oct 17, Nov 21, Dec 19