Paw Prints Spring 2014

Paw Prints spring 2014

become a foster hero Page 3

life saving innovation

finding new ways to save more pets Page 4

fighting overpopulation

one spay at a time Page 6

Published for Friends of the Arizona Humane Society

letter from our leadership

Dear Friend, When I first arrived at the Arizona Humane Society in October, I was introduced to a cat named Jamea who had been with us for almost five months. Jamea was a beautiful Calico who came to AHS as a stray with five adorable newborn kittens. Her babies quickly found homes, but for Jamea, it wasn’t so easy.

Without her kittens to care for, Jamea became stressed and began to regress in her kennel. She needed a change, so we placed her into the home of one of our loving volunteer foster parents, Maureen O’Conner, while she waited for a forever family. We gave her plenty of care, compassion and love, and Maureen worked hard to socialize Jamea and help her overcome her extreme shyness.

And nearly nine months after she first arrived at AHS, Jamea finally found her forever home in January.

We’re so thrilled Jamea found her happy ending, but we know we can do more for her and the 43,000 pets we take in each year. We can save more lives and find more forever homes faster, so pets like Jamea don’t have to spend nearly a year without a loving family to call their own. We’re working hard on ways to do that, and you can read about some of those out-of-thebox, forward thinking ideas on page 4 of this issue.

But we can’t achieve our goals without your support. When you share our mission with your friends or make a gift, you’re giving all of the pets like Jamea still in our care – loving cats, dogs and critters – a chance to eat, a chance to heal and a chance to experience love from our compassionate staff and volunteers while they wait for a home.

It’s my hope that we never have another Jamea, who sits in our care waiting for what seems like an eternity for a new life. But I’m confident that every homeless pet who entrusts their lives to us, whether for a day or a year, will be lovingly cared for thanks to your continued support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steven R. Hansen AHS President and CEO

Jamea

Three Legs Won’t Slow Xander Down Exhausted from wandering the streets for days with a badly injured leg, Xander hobbled into a yard and collapsed. Homeowners discovered the 2-year-old Chow Chow lying on their porch and contacted our Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™, who transferred Xander to AHS’ Second Chance Animal Hospital™. Days without medical treatment caused Xander’s leg to become infected and he needed an emergency amputation to save his life. After several weeks recovering with one of our caring foster volunteer families, Xander found his forever home in Peoria. Despite missing a leg, Xander still loves to go for walks every morning and cuddle with his new owner.

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corporate corner

Become a Hero to a Hero The Arizona Humane Society, in collaboration with PetSmart, Inc. and Credit Union West, is thrilled to announce the expansion of Project Active Duty, an AHS foster volunteer program that cares for and protects the pets of active military personnel who are serving around the world.

As the presenting sponsor of AHS’ Project Active Duty program, PetSmart has dedicated $30,000 over two years to the program. Their partnership, as well as Credit Union West’s, allows AHS to not only promote Project Active Duty, but to recruit foster volunteers for the thousands of pets who may need temporary shelter beyond what our facilities can provide.

AHS is thankful for PetSmart and Credit Union West’s dedication to this program.

For more information on Project Active Duty, visit azhumane.org/foster.

His owner went to fight a war. You picked up where he left off. While he’s off protecting our country, you’re here protecting his pet. When he returns and is reunited with his pet, he gives you a salute.

To him, you’re the hero.

Save Money and Lives at New Thrift Store There will soon be a new place to save both money and lives when AHS opens its fourth thrift location in March. The 11,000-square-foot store is located at 13401 North Cave Creek Road in Phoenix in a popular area for thrift shoppers.

The new store continues AHS’ strategic plan initiative to grow our thrift operation in hopes of diversifying the organization’s revenue streams. By 2016, the store is expected to generate $175,000 a year in net revenue to help save the lives of homeless animals.

We need your help filling the store with plenty of furniture, clothes and household items. If you have new or gently used items you’d like to donate to help our pets, we’ll pick them up for free! Call 480.290.0587 or email thriftpickup@azhumane.org to arrange for pickup. We’re also looking for volunteers to help staff the store. To volunteer, call 602.997.7585 ext. 1040.

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life-saving innovation why we give “When Maltese brothers Frasier and Niles padded into our house seven years ago, they walked into our hearts, as well. They have become our furry children and we wanted to be sure that, as such, we provided for their care if we predeceased them. We decided to establish a charitable gift annuity with the Arizona Humane Society which included a provision for the care of Frasier and Niles through AHS’ Continuing Care program. We are pleased that the donation will help other animals to live a better life and serve as a legacy to the joy that our dogs have added to our lives.”

- Betty and Don Kaiser To learn more about charitable gift annuities and other ways to support AHS in your final giving plans, contact Lauren Martich-Duhaime at 602.395.3859 or at lmartich-duhaime@azhumane.org.

A New Year Brings New Ways to Save More Pets It’s a new year, and with it comes new hope and a renewed commitment to saving the lives of more homeless pets than ever before.

With our new strategic plan in place and a goal of becoming the animal welfare organization of the future, AHS is committed to implementing innovative solutions to give more pets a second chance while also decreasing the number of unwanted animals who wind up in our care.

Last year, AHS placed more than 17,000 animals into new homes or with rescue partners. But as an open-intake facility that accepts every pet regardless of age, breed or medical condition, we’re committed to doing more. Here are just a few of the ways we’re saving more lives: • Our new offsite adoption/retail location, Petique at The Shops at Norterra, should help 1,000 more pets find new homes each year. We also expect a new mobile adoption vehicle to hit Valley roads this year, giving us the potential to find homes for an additional 1,000 animals yearly. Read more about the adoption vehicle on the back page of this Paw Prints issue.

•W e’re teaching old cats new tricks, such as high-fiving, so they can impress potential adopters who’d like to meet them.

Humane Ed Develops Programs for Middle School, Avondale PD AHS’ Humane Education team is developing a 10-week elective course for Cholla Middle School 7th graders titled “Arizona Humane Advocacy 101”. This pioneering program boasts a comprehensive curriculum covering a broad spectrum of local and national animal protection issues and challenges students to brainstorm innovative solutions to our pet overpopulation crisis.

Our Humane Ed team has also forged a partnership with the Avondale Police Department’s Pets in Police Service (PIPS) volunteers and will conduct its “AHS Extreme Empathy” presentation in Avondale classrooms in partnership with a PIPS team.

•W e’re also giving cats who develop an Upper Respiratory Infection while at AHS a place to heal and socialize with our compassionate volunteers in our new isolation space at the Nina Mason Pulliam Campus for Compassion. The space will help us save the lives of 600 more feline friends each year. The isolation space is adjacent to a new behavior modification area, where our trained behavior specialists can work with shy, fearful and high-arousal dogs in a quiet, air-conditioned space.

•W e’re exploring extended hours at some of our locations and looking at ways to better utilize technology to ensure a better customer experience.

•W e’ve begun implementing a new adoption policy that lifts many restrictions on adopters and opens up new potential homes to our pets.

As part of this transition, you’re now encouraged to give pets as gifts to a friend or family member who is ready to adopt. Because what could bring more joy than the most adorable gift in town?

•O ur total intake dropped by three percent last year, and with a continued focus on spay/neuter and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), we hope to make additional strides as we combat pet overpopulation.

“We’re determined to move to the forefront of the animal welfare community and find innovative ways to help the homeless pets we’re so passionate about,” said Dr. Steven R. Hansen, AHS President and CEO. “With your continued support, we can see real change and save many more lives.”

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get involved

Compassion With Fashion Arizona Humane Society’s 16th Annual Compassion with Fashion: Pets Make Life Sweet Saturday, March 29 Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa Join more than 1,100 sweet-tooth attendees in support of AHS’ life-saving programs and services at this cherished annual event.

Individual tickets can be purchased for $165 or bring your pet-loving pals for tables of 10 starting at $1,650. Ticket includes a delectable seated luncheon, a candy-coated silent auction and a sugar-rush of a fashion show featuring AHS’ special “sweet 16” adoptable pets.

AHS spearheading Legislation to Combat Puppy Mills As the state’s leading animal welfare agency, AHS is spearheading efforts to crack down on puppy mills and large scale breeding operations in Arizona through House Bill 2242. Under current state law, there are a series of provisions regulating the operations of “pet dealers” (defined as individuals who own pet stores), which include animal care requirements, veterinary care standards, and record keeping. House Bill 2242, sponsored

by Representative John Kavanagh, adds any individual who sells 20 or more dogs in a calendar year to the definition of “pet dealer”, thereby extending the pet store regulations to large-scale backyard breeding operations. Visit azhumane.org to learn how you can join the fight to protect animals.

Compassion with Fashion: Pets Make Life Sweet is an event that’s sure to take the cake!

Register at azhumane.org/cwf For more information, contact Page Englert at 602.943.7655 Thank you to our 2014 Sponsors:

Puttin’ For Pooches April 5 Chandler Harley-Davidson

This day-long motorcycle ride for animal lovers and motorcycle enthusiasts will kick off at Chandler Harley-Davidson with breakfast, one-on-one store guidance and the opportunity to meet AHS adoptables. Participants will receive raffle tickets, a commemorative t-shirt and admission to the first-ever Phoenix Bikefest. The ride will culminate at Phoenix Bikefest at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, where riders will enjoy food, live music and exclusive demonstrations.

Donate to AHS at Your Local Safeway in FEbruary Throughout the month of February, the Arizona Humane Society is partnering with Safeway to Paws For Love and prove that even the smallest gesture can go a long way in the life of a furry friend. Shoppers at all Arizona Safeway locations will be able to donate their change in the canister at each register or add any amount on to their debit or credit card transaction to help care for our homeless pets. Thank you, Safeway, for your ongoing support of animals and for celebrating the joy they bring to our lives!

Dog Day at the Park March 2, 1:05 p.m.

Peoria Sports Complex Bring your dog out to the ballpark and enjoy a day of spring training baseball as the San Diego Padres host the Cincinnati Reds. Sit in the special “Paw-tio” section of the lawn with all proceeds from doggie tickets benefitting AHS! 5

fighting Overpopulation

Fighting Pet Overpopulation One Spay at a Time Every February, as World Spay Day approaches, the Arizona Humane Society takes our spay/neuter initiatives to a whole new level. From a world-class kick off to an all-night event, hundreds of animals will be spayed or neutered at no- or low-cost in AHS’ commitment to combat pet overpopulation.

World Spay Day Kickoff and Voucher Giveaway - February 3, Tempe Marketplace •F or the second year, AHS’ Circle of Friends handed out 500 free spay/neuter vouchers.

ADLA’s Free Roaming Cat Clinic – February 6, Sunnyslope Public Clinic • The Animal Defense League of Arizona fixed 100 outdoor cats as part of the ADLA/AHS Trap-Neuter-Return Program.

Spay Up All Night – February 12, Sunnyslope Public Clinic • 121 animals a day often signifies AHS’ intake numbers, but on this day it was AHS’ commitment to spay and neuter 121 animals, no matter how long it took.

Daryl Weil’s World Spay Day Event – February 25, AHS’ Sunnyslope and South Mountain Public Clinics • Special friends of AHS, Chip and Daryl Weil, have generously underwritten 60 free spay/neuter surgeries.

PetSmart Charities Beat the Heat Campaign - February 2013 • Valley residents can get their female cats spayed for just $20 throughout February.

Visit azhumane.org/spayneuter for more information on AHS’ World Spay Day efforts.

Fix.Adopt.Save Initiative Doing Just That Introduced in Spring 2013, the Fix.Adopt.Save initiative continues its collaborative efforts to reduce pet overpopulation in the Valley. As the Alliance’s seven Valley animal welfare organizations continue in their day-to-day lifesaving efforts, we are proud to report an additional 4,600 lives have been saved and euthanasia has decreased by 15 percent!

The campaign has also seen great success in its spay/neuter initiatives. Its most recent Feline Spay Day spearheaded by Alliance member the Animal Defense League of Arizona, included AHS public clinics as well as nine veterinary clinics throughout the Valley. Those 11 clinics performed 185 free spay/neuter surgeries in just one day.

For additional information on the initiative as well as adoption and clinic locations, please visit fixadoptsave.org.

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How You Can Help

Help Homeless Pets Every Month You can make a difference in the life of a shelter pet each and every month of the year by becoming a Constant Companion.

Constant Companions are a group of loyal supporters who make monthly gifts to all of the animals in our care.

Monthly giving is a convenient and efficient way to provide our shelters with a consistent income stream to help sustain AHS’ lifesaving programs and services. Support at this level makes it possible for AHS to safeguard, rescue, shelter, heal, adopt, and advocate for companion animals in need.

As a Constant Companion, you will receive exclusive news about AHS, your gift in action and about a pet you’ve helped save. To become a Constant Companion, simply check the “Monthly” box on your Paw Prints return envelope when you make your next gift or visit azhumane.org/monthly.

In 2007, a special group of AHS supporters came together to raise funds specifically for spay/neuter initiatives. Coined the Circle of Friends, these are Arizona’s most ardent spay/ neuter advocates. Because of their generosity and commitment with gifts starting at the $1,000 level, AHS has prevented thousands of unwanted animals from suffering on Valley streets over the years.

Last year, the Circle raised an incredible $108,000, and this year they have an even greater goal in mind: $125,000. With these funds, they hope to continue our “It’s Hip to Snip” monthly, free spay/neuter days, fund

our “One Spay at a Time” low-cost surgery community outreach and help us continue to pull off unique events like “Spay Up All Night”, where our vets performed 121 surgeries in one day!

To learn more and join the 2014 Circle of Friends with a gift of $1,000 or more, contact Lauren Martich-Duhaime at 602.395.3859 or lmartich-duhaime@ azhumane.org

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Join our Circle of Friends to Fight Pet Overpopulation

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

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

Thank You, My Sister’s Closet!

Pets On Wheels Our pets may be coming soon to a neighborhood near you! AHS is currently seeking funding for a mobile adoption vehicle that could help us find forever homes for more than 1,000 additional pets every year. The vehicle is expected to be a 26-foot-long, airconditioned, walk-in unit and have the capability to take 20-24 of our dogs and cats on the road to close to 100 offsite adoption events each year.

The mobile unit will allow individuals who may not have easy access to our shelters the opportunity to meet our pets at a convenient location, opening up new potential homes to our pets.

Our holiday campaign, Fill the Holidays with Love: Stuff a Stocking for a Pet in Need, was a rousing success thanks in large part to My Sister’s Closet, My Sister’s Attic and Well Suited stores. Animal lovers and fashionistas alike were able to stuff the stockings of our shelter pets and provide donations at registers at locations Valleywide. We’d like to thank our friends at My Sister’s Closet for helping us make the holidays a little merrier and a lot warmer for shelter pets in need.

We need your help in giving our pets more chances to find a home. If you’re interested in helping to support this important initiative and save the lives or more homeless pets, please contact giving@azhumane.org.

Emergency Ambulance EAMT™ Service Sick & Injured Rescues Report Animal Cruelty

Daily 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. · 365 days a year 602.997.7585 Ext. 2073

Locations | Services Nina Mason Pulliam Campus for Compassion Adoptions · Public Clinic · Pet Emporium 1521 W. Dobbins Road Phoenix, AZ 85041 602.997.7585 Sunnyslope campus Admissions · Adoptions · Public Clinic Thrift Store · Second Chance Animal Hospital™ · EAMT™ 9226 N. 13th Avenue/ 1311 W. Hatcher Road Phoenix, AZ 85021 602.997.7585 Camelback Thrift Store Shop · Donate 4240 W. Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85019 602.242.3180

Pet-Friendly Plates Help drive pet overpopulation out of Arizona by purchasing a pet-friendly license plate! Pet-friendly Arizona plates are available for only $25 per year, and $17 from each plate helps to pay for spay and neuter services for dogs and cats throughout Arizona. Order your plates at azpetplates.org or call the ADOT Motor Vehicles Division office nearest you.

Tempe Thrift Store Shop · Donate 755 W. Baseline Road Tempe, AZ 85283 480.366.4617 Cave Creek thrift store Coming Soon!

13401 N. Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ 85024 Petique at Biltmore Fashion Park Adoptions · Retail 2502 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 167 Phoenix, AZ 85016 602.957.3113 Petique at The Shops at Norterra Adoptions · Retail 2460 W. Happy Valley Road, St. 1149 Phoenix, AZ 85085 623.582.2513

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