How We Save Lives
More Than an Animal Shelter
In 2013, Maricopa County was one of the worst places to be a pet. Shelters were facing the second worst pet overpopulation crisis in the United States. The Arizona Humane Society was a large rescue shelter taking in thousands of homeless animals, but there were still many pets with treatable illnesses being euthanized throughout the state.
We knew a radical shift in thinking was needed to save more animal lives. So, we began systematically launching multiple initiatives to care for the most vulnerable in our community. Today, we take in the pets that other shelters can’t care for: the ones who are sick, who are injured, or who would normally be euthanized in other shelters because of their tough medical needs. We serve as a safety net for the Valley’s most vulnerable pets, and our Ethical No-Kill Philosophy™ ensures we never euthanize a pet for space or based on the length of time they’ve been with us.
And every effort has been worth it. Since 2013, we’ve reduced euthanasia by 83%—that’s 150,000 additional lives saved. Here’s how we’re transforming animal welfare in Arizona.
Treating the Toughest Cases
Our Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ (EAMTs™) are out in the community seven days a week responding to reports of injured strays and abused pets. And when they find a pet who needs help, our vets are waiting for them at our trauma hospital. This hospital* is the largest shelter-based trauma hospital in the Southwest, and we treat nearly 11,000 homeless pets every year.
We’re also able to treat pets who would be automatically euthanized in other shelters through our donor-funded, lifesaving programs:
- Mutternity Suites, where pregnant dogs and cats can give birth and nurse in peace
- Bottle Baby ICU & Kitten Nursery, where kittens who need extra help are hand-fed by volunteers and get round-the-clock care
- Parvo ICU, which provides a safe isolation area to treat dogs who test positive for the highly contagious canine parvovirus
- Spay & Neuter Services, which help decrease pet overpopulation throughout the valley
*It will be known as the Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital when Papago Park Campus opens late 2023.
Justice for Abused Animals
We have contracts with several Valley cities to conduct thousands of cruelty investigations every year. Our EAMTs™ and Animal Cruelty Investigators check in on suspected cruelty situations and help local law enforcement obtain warrants to remove pets from abusive owners.
But it doesn’t stop there—we fight for animals at the highest level, advancing legislation that protects pets and creates enforceable consequences for those who neglect and abuse them. Here are the initiatives we’ve helped pass.
Keeping Pets in Homes
Many owners love their pets but struggle to care for them due to housing instability or financial struggles. We tackle this issue from multiple angles: Our two veterinary clinics provide affordable care and connect our customers with additional financial aid when needed. Our Pet Resource Center (PRC) connects members of our community with resources to help them keep their beloved pet. And through our Project Home Away From Home, we provide temporary pet foster care through our Foster Heroes until they’re able to get back on their feet.
Because pets are family, and everyone deserves to be able to care for their loved ones.
Partnerships
We believe that we’re more effective when we all work together. That’s why we partner with other pet welfare organizations in Arizona and across state lines to get pets the care they need and find them their forever homes. Project Reachout is one such partnership program, where we work with organizations like Maricopa County Animal Care and Control to transfer in at-risk pets whenever space on our adoption floors allow.
We look forward to expanding our partnership efforts—and many other initiatives—in our new Papago Park Campus coming late 2023.
Educating the Next Generation
Compassion for animals begins young, which is why we offer a host of summer camps and classroom experiences to educate the next generation. We also have relationships with several veterinary colleges throughout the state and are honored to provide hands-on experience to upcoming vets at our trauma hospital.
We Can’t Do It Alone
It costs more than $1,300 to care for each pet who comes through our doors. And because we’re a local organization that doesn’t receive funding from any other humane society or government organization, we rely on our community to keep these programs running.
Will you help save a life today?