SUNNYSLOPE ADOPTIONS AND FOSTER OPERATIONS REOPEN PAGES 4–5
A SUSTAINABLY BRIGHT FUTURE FOR AHS PAGE 6 A RECORD-SETTING COMPASSION WITH FASHION PAGE 7
GIVE BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TO HELP PETS IN NEED
YEAR END DONATION
In this season of giving, your donation will help us ensure a home for the holidays for pets in need. Help us continue to provide uncompromised care with a year-end tax deductible donation.
azhumane.org/holiday
TRIBUTE
Donate in someone’s honor in lieu of a holiday gift. Show you care while making a difference in the life of a pet. We’ll send them a holiday card notifying them of your gift. azhumane.org/memorial
SHOP PETIQUE
Your source for quality pet supplies and AHS-branded goodies, where all profits go back to providing lifesaving care for homeless pets in our care. Shop on-site at any of our three shelter locations.
azhumane.org/petique
CRITTER CARDS
While you’re visiting one of our locations, pick up a gift card for the animal lover in your life. Critter Card gift cards can be used toward adoption fees, pet training and goods in Petique.
Our Mission We save the most vulnerable animals and enrich the lives of pets and people.
Our Values
Innovation. Compassion. Excellence.
Dr. Steven R. Hansen President & CEO
2024 AHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Craig Thatcher, Chair
BREAKING DOWN BIG BARRIERS FOR BIGGER DOGS
Big dogs often face significantly longer lengths of stay in animal shelters when compared to tinier companions. At the Arizona Humane Society (AHS), the average length of stay for these gentle giants has historically been 12 days, with some remaining in our care for months. This unfortunate reality is due to a variety of reasons including size, housing limitations or restrictions, breed misconceptions and preconceived notions about what their care may require.
In July, as the squeeze on our capacity tightened, we launched our Big Dog Awareness Campaign alongside an open-ended adoption special waiving fees for all dogs over 50 pounds to help address this ongoing challenge and work toward freeing up much-needed kennel space. This initiative has not only made big dog adoption more accessible but has also allowed us to raise awareness about the reality big dogs face in shelters. Today, we’re so happy to report that we’ve successfully reduced the average length of stay for big dogs from approximately 12 days to eight days, all thanks to support from our community and animal advocates like you.
Matthew Waller, Treasurer
Suzanne Hensing Vice Chair
Andrea Marconi, Past Chair Executive Committee
Julie Johnson, Secretary
Board Members
Bryan Albue
Yvonne Betts
Andrea Claus
Ann Damiano
Dyan Getz
Dr. Ingrid Haas
Susie Ingold
Ricki Dee Jennings
Suzy Juneau
Phyllis Kirk
Deepa Lohse
Chad Makovsky
Kristin Slyker
Patricia Tate
THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR BIG DOGS HAS BEEN REDUCED TO EIGHT DAYS.
12 DAYS
8 DAYS
As we push forward we invite you to join us in spreading the word about the many wonderful big dogs waiting for their forever homes at AHS. Despite their size, many big dog breeds are known for their calm and gentle nature, making them great family pets. They’re also loyal, protective, intelligent and eager to shower you with unconditional love.
Please take this opportunity to consider adopting, fostering or simply sharing our message about the joys big dogs can bring to our lives. Let’s work together to ensure that every pet finds the loving home they deserve!
ADOPTIONS AND FOSTER OPERATIONS AT SUNNYSLOPE REOPEN
AMID CONTINUED OVERCAPACITY STRUGGLES
Anchored by our Marge Wright Veterinary Clinic, Adoptions, Foster and retail operations returned on October 2 to our Sunnyslope Campus, adding to our comprehensive System of Care during a critical time for homeless pets in our community.
Reimagining this space couldn’t have come at a better time, following right on the heels of one of the busiest and most challenging summers in the Arizona Humane Society’s history. With an unprecedented intake of more than 22,000 animals projected for the year, our teams have been working tirelessly to manage the influx. Despite our community responding to our plea to adopt, foster and volunteer, our capacity remains strained.
To better accommodate this ever-evolving need, the facility that started it all has undergone improvements to create a higher quality experience for both pets and people. These include new paint and doors added to our kennels, an updated foster lobby, newly landscaped play yards and a new adoptions lobby which is now home to our third Petique location. Additionally, adoptions have been extended to seven days a week at all three of our campuses, further strengthening our commitment to giving every pet the best possible chance at finding the forever home they deserve. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us — your support is what helps us create a brighter future for Arizona’s pets.
PETSMART CHARITIES GRANT GENEROUSLY SUPPORTS SUNNYSLOPE CLINIC EXPANSION
We’re honored to recognize our dear friends at PetSmart Charities who have committed a $1.3 million Accelerator Grant to help AHS improve accessible veterinary care for owned pets in our community. This grant has been critical to the ongoing expansion of our Sunnyslope Campus’ Marge Wright Veterinary Clinic into a robust, fullservice clinic, which will be completed sometime next year.
Currently, we provide more than 10,400 owned pets with spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and microchip services at this clinic location each year and expect approximately 3,000 more pets will be helped annually through its expanded services. The grant will allow AHS to make critical capital improvements including expanded equipment and technology, staffing, medications and supplies, as well as increased outreach initiatives.
We’re so excited to see how our clinic expansion, enabled by this incredible grant, will help more families get the preventative and standard care their pets need to thrive at home and stay out of shelters!
Adoptions Lobby
Adoption Kennels
Petique™ Retail Area
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
JAMIE MIDDLETON’S VISION FOR A SUSTAINABLY BRIGHT FUTURE
When Jamie Middleton first connected with the Arizona Humane Society, she was on a mission to find a meaningful way to give back. Today, she stands as a prominent supporter, not just as a donor but as a committed member of our President’s Club, Circle of Friends and Legacy Circle. Jamie’s journey with AHS includes many selfless contributions but has recently culminated in an extraordinarily generous initiative: funding the installation of our new Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus ’ solar panel infrastructure, which will save us a remarkable $225,000 at minimum annually.
The decision to equip the revolutionary new campus with renewable energy came after countless discussions about the importance of sustainability within the organization. “Dr. Hansen had been discussing the potential of solar energy for some time,” said Jamie. “When I learned that we could save significant funds to reinvest in animal care, it was a no-brainer.” Each year, those savings will help fund the resources we need to continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming pets in need, making the solar panels a gift that truly keeps on giving.
For Jamie, however, the impact of her contribution extends far beyond the numbers. “Each animal costs around $1,300 to care for. If we’re saving at least $225,000 a year, that’s a lot of lives we can touch,” she said.
SOLAR PANEL INFRASTRUCTURE RESULTS IN ANNUAL SAVINGS OF AT LEAST $225,000
But Jamie’s involvement doesn’t stop at monetary donations. She is also actively engaged in our community events, chairing our annual Home in One Golf Tournament and strongly supporting our beloved Compassion with Fashion fundraiser as a committee member. “I love spreading the word about these events,” she said. “When someone says they didn’t know about our golf tournament or our luncheons, it brings me joy because I get to educate the community and build a larger network of support.”
What keeps Jamie motivated is witnessing the transformative bond between pets and their families. “Seeing animals heal and families unite is incredibly rewarding,” she says. “The joy they bring to one another is unparalleled.” For Jamie, giving back isn’t just about funding; it’s about creating connections and fostering unconditional love — one life saved at a time.
$12,000 GREY MUZZLE GRANT GIVES SENIOR DOGS A SECOND CHANCE
This generous grant from the Grey Muzzle Organization will allow AHS to keep senior pets like Simba in loving homes and out of shelters with monetary assistance to pet owners through our Bridge the Gap program.
In fact, it’s already making an impact. Simba, a 7-year-old terrier mix, suffered from infected wounds after being attacked by another dog. His owner, a single mother of four in between jobs, could not afford his $2,000 treatment. Thanks to Grey Muzzle’s support, our Bridge the Gap program was able to cover a portion of the down payment and get Simba on the road to recovery.
CELEBRATING ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL COMPASSION WITH FASHION
October 6 marked the 26th annual Compassion with Fashion fundraiser for the Arizona Humane Society, and we’re so grateful to everyone who came out and showed their support! Hosted at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, this year’s theme centered around ensuring a bright future for the Valley’s most vulnerable pets and celebrated the teams and programs that help find them homes.
Thanks to our event chairs Lauren Smith and Jamie Wamsley, the Compassion with Fashion volunteer committee, event sponsors and to each and every dedicated animal advocate who attended, we were able to raise a record-breaking $2,011,793 for homeless pets this year! These vital funds will go directly toward the lifesaving work we do each day to achieve our mission. We simply couldn’t do what we do without the outpouring of support we receive from our community each year at Compassion with Fashion, and we can’t wait to see you next year!
Scott & Susan Rehorn
Garry and Holly Waldie Jan and Nita Kieser Peanut and Butter’s Family Ann Harwood and Jack Lane Chappel Family, Pack, and Pride
Jamie Middleton
Thank you TO OUR SPONSORS
Kathy and Stan Shafer Janiece Hagood The Ortega Family
Event chairwomen Lauren Smith and Jamie Wamsley
Ken Schutz & AHS chairman of the board Dr. Craig Thatcher 2024 Compassion with Fashion Committee
Event honoree Melinda Gulick with sons Zane and Jace
Event sponsor Rack Law Group
Janine Jacobs and Lisa Futo with adoptable pups Adoptable pup Scottie with Abby Ain
5501 E. Van Buren Street Phoenix, AZ 85008 azhumane.org
LEND A HELPING PAW BY VOLUNTEERING AT AHS
Animal lovers wanted — no experience necessary! Whether you prefer to work with pets or with people, we need your passion and unique talents. Come join the team voted “Best Place to Volunteer” by PHOENIX Magazine. We offer all kinds of volunteer opportunities that allow you to work directly with our animals, from your own home, at community events and more! Learn more by visiting azhumane.org/volunteer
PUT THE BRAKES ON PET HOMELESSNESS
When you purchase a petfriendly 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.
HONOR YOUR CHERISHED PETS AT OUR SOUTH MOUNTAIN CAMPUS
Give your beloved pet a place of rest in our serene Pet Columbarium, nestled in the Leo J. Czaplicki Memorial Garden at our Nina Mason Pulliam South Mountain Campus. Surrounded by rolling hills and a beautiful desert landscape, it offers a peaceful, safe space for contemplation and celebrating your pet’s life. Urns and internment packages range from $200 to $800. Learn more at azhumane.org/memorial
JOIN ARIZONA’S MOST PASSIONATE ANIMAL ADVOCATES
Annual giving through the Arizona Humane Society’s President’s Club is not just a donation; it’s a lifeline for thousands of homeless animals.
Your commitment of $1,500 or more means that our community’s most vulnerable pets have access to lifesaving medical and behavioral care, and that our organization has the resources to tackle the biggest issues facing animal welfare today.
As a President’s Club member, you are the source of meaningful impact.
