ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY®
WINTER 2023
COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS TO PAPAGO PARK PAGE 4
GIVE BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON PAGE 5
ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS EVOLVING 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: We heard the Valley’s cutest TV show is celebrating its 65th anniversary...can you both tell us about that? Dawn: You bet we can, we love to talk about Pets on Parade! Dusk: Dawn and I are big fans. We tune in to 3TV (on Arizona’s Family of networks) every Saturday at 11:30 AM while we eat our breakfast pellets. Who doesn’t love a good parade? Especially one that features some of the awesome pets here at the Arizona Humane Society. Dawn: Did you know that Pets on Parade is Arizona’s longest-running TV show? How cool is that? Dusk: That’s right, 65 years of proudly showing off adoptable cats, canines and critters to our community. We might be a little biased, but Kelsey is the best host a TV show could have! Dawn: She really is. And the many volunteers and Foster Heroes that join her each week are the best, too! Dusk: Beyond the pets, the show is also great for learning about animal care tips and AHS’ lifesaving programs and services. Dawn: If you’re not already catching it every week, now is the time to start! Dusk and Dawn: Happy 65th anniversary Pets on Parade!
Dr. Steven R. Hansen President & CEO
2023 AHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Committee Dr. Craig Thatcher, Vice Chair
Matthew Waller, Treasurer
Suzanne Hensing, Vice Chair
Andrea Marconi, Past Chair
Julie Johnson, Secretary
Board Members Bryan Albue
Deepa Lohse
Yvonne A. Betts
Chad Makovsky
Andrea L. Claus
Edgardo Rivera
Ann Damiano
Kristin Slyker
Dyan Getz
Patricia Tate
Susie Ingold
Dr. Steven R. Hansen, Ex-Officio Board Member
Suzy Juneau
Kelsey Dickerson and AHS President & CEO Dr. Hansen
AZHUMANE .ORG
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PROJECT RESOLUTION AIMED AT KEEPING PETS IN HOMES As the Arizona Humane Society continues to navigate a severe pet overpopulation crisis that has impacted most shelters across the country and led to a 22% increase in the number of pets we cared for last year, we have piloted a trailblazing program to help keep pets in homes with the families who love them. Called Project Resolution, the program pairs a shelter veterinarian to accompany an Emergency Animal Medical Technician™ or Animal Cruelty Investigator on a recurring basis to provide potential in-home treatment for animals. The goal is to bring free medical care to deserving families who are facing the possibility of surrendering a beloved pet, simply because they are unable to afford an unexpected medical bill. The pilot program began on August 8 with EAMT Cynthia McGuire and Staff Veterinarian Dr. Christine Kreutzfeld, and in the three months since, the duo completed 22 in-home visits, treated 17 animals and ultimately helped 11 families keep their beloved pets. We are so proud and couldn’t be more excited to see what Project Resolution will accomplish in the future!
PIT BULLS
RECEIVED SOME SERIOUS LOVE THIS FALL During National Pit Bull Awareness Month in October, the Arizona Humane Society not only found homes for dozens of pitties through adoption but also promoted spaying/neutering for the breed by providing these surgeries for just $20 at the Sunnyslope Campus’ Marge Wright Veterinary Clinic. Thanks to the support of AHS’ cherished Circle of Friends, 102 pit bulls underwent these vital alterations, which is a huge win in our book! The pittie party didn’t stop there, either, as AHS partnered with One Love Pit Bull Foundation in November to provide even more local land seals with their spay/ neuter surgeries. We’re big advocates for spaying or neutering your pets, which is why we’re also happy to report that the Arizona Companion Animal Spay/Neuter Committee, whose mission is to help fund the alteration surgeries of all Arizona pets in need, has underwritten the cost of 145 spay/neuter surgeries for pets in the Arizona Humane Society’s care! In total, the committee awarded $925,000 in grants to support spay/neuter efforts throughout the state this year. This grant is funded by the support and sales of the Arizona Pet Friendly License Plates, voluntary contributions by Arizona residents through personal income tax returns, and a special allocation of $550,000 from the state budget thanks to Senator John Kavanagh’s efforts. This is a huge win for Arizona’s pets and tackling the pet overpopulation issue in our state!
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OUR JOURNEY TO PAPAGO PARK IS ALMOST COMPLETE It’s nearly time to usher in the new frontier of animal welfare by opening our brand-new Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus! We are as busy as Santa’s elves putting the finishing touches on what will be the Southwest’s most state-of-the-art animal shelter, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure it’ll be nothing short of perfect for the pets and people that we serve in our community. From hauling in new furniture to installing the last of the solar panels, what was once a dream is becoming a reality right before our eyes. We hope you are as excited as we are about this new lifesaving campus! Learn more at azhumane.org/transform.
Interested in fostering or volunteering at our new campus? Sign up today at azhumane.org/foster or azhumane.org/volunteer!
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GIVE BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TO HELP PETS LIKE STELLA AND VERONICA It’s truly impossible to overstate just how far a donation can go to help save innocent pets in need. Stella, for example, a precious 5-monthold Labrador Retriever mix, was found lying in the middle of the road with puncture wounds to her neck and hind legs, one of which was also discovered to be severely broken. The sweet puppy couldn’t bring herself to stand, and we knew our only option was to amputate. Because of your support, Stella was able to take the time to fully recover and acclimate to her new life on three legs. Her personality blossomed, she began to play and socialize, and everyone who had the opportunity to meet her quickly fell in love. She eventually charmed her way into the heart of her adopter and is happily living her life in her forever home.
Veronica
Veronica may have also faced the worst if it weren’t for the generous gifts AHS receives from supportive animal advocates each year. Before finding herself in our care, the beautiful 5-yearold domestic long-hair cat had been living in hoarding conditions that had negatively affected not only her quality of life but also her health. She was in rough shape when our Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ rescued her and brought her to our trauma hospital, with our veterinary staff noting that she was noticeably underweight, dehydrated and fearful. After undergoing surgery to remove her right eye due to a severe infection, Veronica was given time to heal and prepare to find her new family. Shortly after she went up for adoption, she did just that.
With the holidays in full swing, we urge you to take this opportunity to extend your giving spirit to animals in need by making a lifesaving gift. Your gift will be matched up to $30,000 through 12/31 thanks to VCA Animal Hospitals. azhumane.org/yearendmatch
Stella
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ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS IN ARIZONA ARE EVOLVING WITH OUR HELP The Arizona Humane Society plays a crucial role in addressing and preventing animal cruelty in the Valley, but according to our Director of Field Operations, Tracey Miiller, there are challenges in doing so. Abandoments, animals without water and welfare checks make up our Field Team’s top calls for service, but there are few measures they can take beyond simply responding, educating and providing resources that are supported by local laws. “Our biggest challenge is the fact that not every city has an animal cruelty ordinance,” Miiller said. “Of the cities that do, they all vary just a little. So, we are tasked with being the experts in knowing each city’s ordinance. Although there is a state law against animal cruelty, it is not as specific as ordinances can be.” However, posititve change may be on the horizon.
One such city actively working on implementing more comprehensive animal cruelty laws with advisement from AHS is Chandler. The city faced backlash this fall after a Chandler resident acting as an animal rescue owner was found to be housing over 50 special-needs dogs in deplorable conditions. Following our Field Team’s expert testimony on the matter, we’re thrilled to report that the Chandler City Council unanimously endorsed the tentative adoption of an ordinance aimed at revising the language within the city’s code pertaining to the treatment of animals. As challenges persist, AHS remains at the forefront, advocating for the well-being of animals and pushing for more comprehensive and uniform legislation. Want to join us as a voice for animals in need? Sign up for advocacy alerts at azhumane.org/advocacy.
With their many years of experience in the field being first on the scene to rescue the Valley’s most vulnerable pets, AHS’ Animal Cruelty Investigators and Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ have become the goto source for municipalities to consult when developing their laws against animal cruelty. “We work with the local police departments and city attorneys to create or update animal cruelty ordinances,” Miiller said. “We share with them what other cities are doing and how it has been successful, or why a specific section in the ordinance needs to be updated in order to better save the lives of animals.” 6 | PAW P R I N T S
Kiska, one of the pets from the Chandler cruelty case, being reunited with his rescue.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
MARY CAROL SHEETS’ LEGACY LIVES ON WITH AHS The Arizona Humane Society is extremely fortunate to be the recipient of generous gifts from the McS Charitable Foundation, an organization with a heart as big as its sole benefactor, Mary Carol Sheets. Mary was the only child of Texas oilman H.R. Smith, who owned a cattle ranch in Alice, Texas. After her passing in 2022, Mary graciously left the ranch to Texas A&M for their Ranch Management Program. A great love of animals, especially shelter dogs, fueled Mary’s passion for her many beloved rescues. When Mary unexpectedly died at the age of 72, her last two pups, Lola and Zeke, were adopted by another beneficiary of her generosity – the first of many vet students for whom she funded their medical education! Mary’s first encounter with the Arizona Humane Society was when she met Woody, a tripod who received lifesaving medical care in AHS’ animal trauma hospital. Mary adored Woody, as she did most animals, and loved sitting on the back patio to watch Zeke, Lola and Woody play tirelessly for hours. A friend to all who crossed her path, Mary’s generous yet humble spirit lives on through the McS Charitable Foundation, whose mission aims to support animals, veterans, education and Christianity. Those who loved her still repeat the mantra “What would Mary do?” and the answer is always the same — GIVE. The Arizona Humane Society is proud to name two rooms after Mary Carol Sheets and the McS Charitable Foundation at the new Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus. Look for her plaques in two dog adoption areas, a meet-and-greet room and an adoptions play yard where Mary’s love for animals and spirit of generosity will forever be remembered.
VOLUNTEER TAMMY HARE RECEIVES AHS’ ESTEEMED PRESIDENTIAL AWARD Tammy Hare, a cherished and hardworking Arizona Humane Society volunteer, has been awarded the coveted Presidential Award for her impressive dedication to the organization. Tammy has been volunteering at AHS since 2007 and has over a whopping 27,400 hours under her belt to show for it! Through her many years of service, Tammy has fostered hundreds of kittens and played an important role in assisting our foster team in placing sick and injured pets into temporary foster homes. She’s also volunteered in our Adoptions department in addition to helping out with the filming of the iconic Pets on Parade show. She continues to volunteer weekly, and we are so grateful for her dedication to homeless pets! Want to join Mary as part of our volunteer pack? Sign up today at azhumane.org/volunteer.
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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
AHS HOSTS SUCCESSFUL PET PROFESSIONALS GUILD HOMEWARD BOUND SUMMIT In November, the Arizona Humane Society’s Nina Mason Pulliam South Mountain Campus hosted the Pet Professionals Guild Homeward Bound conference with pet behavior specialists from all around the world in attendance. During the event, guests had the opportunity to increase their knowledge and practice their skills under the guidance of fellow pet behavior and training experts. It was an honor to have so many distinguished pet professionals under our roof!
A RECORD-BREAKING COMPASSION WITH FASHION Our pets are so grateful for everyone who made this year’s 25th annual Compassion with Fashion a record-breaking success. Thanks to the support of Valley animal lovers and presenting sponsor PetSmart Charities, the silver lining for pets in need across the Valley just got even brighter, raising $2 million for our community’s most vulnerable animals. This incredible feat will help fund our lifesaving programs, providing fuel for our Emergency Animal Medical Technician™ rescue vehicles, care for neonatal kittens and puppies in our Bottle Baby ICU, critical equipment in our trauma hospital and much more.
GET A BIG YEAR-END TAX BREAK FOR YOUR VEHICLE DONATION When you donate a vehicle to the Arizona Humane Society, not only do our pets get 100% of the proceeds, but you get a bigger tax write-off! Get in the giving spirit by donating your old wheels to our award-winning Wheels for Wags program and help our community’s most vulnerable pets. Unlike most car donation programs, we sell directly to the public — so your donation has the greatest impact possible (and you don’t have to stress about any of the details). With tax season quickly approaching, this is a great opportunity to ensure that you’ll owe less than you were anticipating. Donate your vehicle today at azhumane.org/wheelsforwags!