PawPrints Magazine: Summer 2017

SUMMER 2017

WE’RE ON A MISSION TO SAVE PETS PAGE |

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CELEBRATING 60 YEARS PAGE |

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Published For Friends of the Arizona Humane Society

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Every pet deserves a good life. This passionate belief has driven the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) to serve a critical role in our community for nearly 60 years.

With a vision to end animal suffering, homelessness and needless euthanasia, we safeguard, rescue, heal, adopt and advocate for animals, while inspiring community action and compassion on their behalf.

L O V E AT F I R S T S I G H T Luna arrived at the Arizona Humane Society suffering from a tick infestation. Thanks to your support, Luna received the proper care and treatment and eventually found a loving home in Phoenix. New mom, Ellen, explains how this 1-year-old Lab mix has become a loyal companion who provides endless love to her new family.

Luna (formerly Lilly) never let a tough life get her down. At the shelter, all she wanted to do was play and lay down for belly rubs and that hasn’t changed much since she came home. We learned that Luna was kept tied up outside before being surrendered to the shelter and had never been inside. Well, Luna has made the quickest transition, from outside dog to inside dog, the world has ever seen. When she is not showing what a loyal dog she is following her people around the house, she is curled up on the couch or bed (and has even learned to use a pillow). Although she will still go outside to run, play, or participate in her favorite activity (going to the dog park), she is always the first one back in the house, tail wagging, happy to be home.

L O C AT I O N S & S E R V I C E S NINA MASON PULLIAM CAMPUS FOR COMPASSION

MESA THRIFT STORE Shop · Donate

Adoptions · Veterinary Clinic · Petique ·

1110 W. Southern Avenue,

EAMT™ · Pet Resource Center

Suite 20, Mesa, AZ 85210

1521 W. Dobbins Rd.

480.366.4617

Phoenix, AZ 85041 602.997.7585

CAVE CREEK THRIFT STORE

SUNNYSLOPE CAMPUS

Shop · Donate

Admissions · Adoptions · Veterinary Clinic · Thrift Store · Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™ · Petique 9226 N. 13th Avenue/1311 W. Hatcher Road Phoenix, AZ 85021 602.997.7585

Dr. Steven R. Hansen President & CEO 2017 AHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Suzanne Pearl, Chair Andrea Marconi, Vice Chair Bryan Albue, Vice Chair Kerry Milligan, Secretary Matthew Waller, Treasurer Ann Damiano, Past Chair Susie Ingold, Governance and Board Relations Committee Chair Melinda Gulick, Facility Development Committee Chair BOARD MEMBERS Anthony Alfonso Katherine Cecala Deborah J. DePaoli Mary Frances Ewing Melissa Rupoli Katz Tracey Lyons Kimberlee Reimann Padilla Ann Siner Patricia Tate Dr. Craig Thatcher Jennifer Weinbrenner Ron Wilson

13401 N. Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ 85024 602.765.4497 PETIQUE AT THE SHOPS AT NORTERRA Adoptions · Retail 2460 W. Happy Valley Road, St. 1149 Phoenix, AZ 85085 623.582.2513

AZHUMANE.ORG PET FINDER | DONATE LEARN | SHARE

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Dog Abandoned for 22 Days

Gets Second Chance at Happiness When Arizona Humane Society Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ arrived to the scene of a home in Phoenix, they found a messy ball of fur so severely matted that they weren’t even able to determine the gender of the 4-year-old dog. The Poodle, named Seal, had been abandoned in the home for 22 days after his owner had been hospitalized.

Seal was rushed to our Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital ™, where he received a muchneeded mercy groom. Underneath all the matted

fur was a friendly pup ready for a second chance at life. Seal eventually found a forever home with a new family in Phoenix.

Each year, our trauma hospital treats nearly 9,000 sick and injured homeless animals, even those who are considered untreatable by other shelters. It’s thanks to your generosity that we can give hope to pets like Seal and prove that no one does more to save pets.

ASK EDDISON Eddison is one of our animal ambassadors who interacts with children at camps, workshops, birthday parties and in classrooms. In each issue of Paw Prints, Eddison will answer a question we receive from our supporters.

Q: You’ve found kittens in your yard. What do you do?

There are several easy steps you can take to help make a difference in the lives of these fragile felines.

Look, Wait, Watch Keep your distance and determine if the kittens have a mother who may just be away. The mom always offers a better chance of survival. If you don’t see the mom within eight hours, they are likely orphans.

Care in Place Leave the family together, while providing food, water and shelter until the kittens can eat on their own. If there is no mom, visit azhumane.org/foundkittens to assess whether you have the time and resources to help care for them in place.

Eddison

Spay/Neuter Once the kittens are approximately 8 weeks old, and provided the kittens are tame and social, spay/ neuter the kittens and mom.

Help Find Homes Be on the search for friends who are looking to adopt a loving feline.

Trap-Neuter-Return If the mother cat and/or kittens are not tame, call 602.265.SPAY to Trap-Neuter-Return the cats.

For more information, visit azhumane.org/foundkittens.

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GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUED FROM LIFE ON A TETHER Found tied up outside, without access to water or shelter, Paws’ story could have easily ended tragically had she not been rescued by Arizona Humane Society Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™.

The 3-year-old German Shepherd was taken to our Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™ where our medical team discovered a painful injury to her front leg, in which bone was exposed.

Our skilled veterinarians tended to Paws’ injury and she spent several weeks recovering in our trauma hospital before moving into the home of one of our caring foster heroes. After more than a month of love and care in her foster hero home, Paws is now enjoying a second chance at life with a new family in Phoenix.

This summer, we’re continuing to transform Maricopa County into one of the best places to be a pet, with a mission to make happy “after” stories for thou-

sands of “before” pets like Paws. So, what’s the story between “before” and “after”? Harrowing rescue, cruelty investigation, advanced medical treatment, tender care, lots of love…and YOU. Your donations put tails back where they belong and bring pets back from death’s door. Help us save the lives of pets this summer by: •

Making a lifesaving gift at azhumane.org.

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Tuning in to the 19th annual Pet Telethon August 26th at 12:30 p.m. on 3TV.

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Shopping at AJ’s Fine Foods in August and donating at checkout.

We’re on a mission to save pets this summer. Will you help? To learn more, visit azhumane.org/s2s.

his original owner beat everything out of him. except his will to survive.

WE ’ R E O N A M I S S IO N TO SAVE P E T S . WI LL YO U H E LP ?

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Kitten Duo Saved in Bottle Baby ICU Jack and Mr. Gray were just two weeks old when they arrived at the Arizona Humane Society as stray, orphaned kittens. The brothers were covered in fleas, suffering from Upper Respiratory Infections and their futures were uncertain. Without a mother to care for them, the little felines were provided 24-hour care and round-the-clock feedings in our Bottle Baby Kitten ICU before being transferred to the home of a compassionate foster hero, where they are now getting plenty of love and socialization while they prepare for their special adoption day.

Mr. Gray

Jack

L E G ACY C I R C L E : WHY I GIVE There are six cats living in my house. Actually I am living in their house! There has been a succession of dogs who also shared this cat house. All of the cats and most of the dogs were graduates of the Arizona Humane Society foster hero program and I was their foster parent. They have contributed immensely to my happiness and well-being, and in return, I want to be assured that they will have care to the end of their lives.

It is easy to support a charity that does as much good as AHS in such a variety of areas. For one, there is their support of legislative action which speaks loudly for the little ones who have no voice.

As a long-time volunteer for AHS, I know this organization works hard to fulfill its mission statement, and at the same time, uses donated funds in a fiscally responsible fashion.

I’m comfortable with every dollar sent to them, knowing it will be used wisely.

For these reasons, I’m also relaxed knowing that when it becomes necessary, my furry best friends will continue to enjoy their lives in carefully chosen new homes. If anything should happen to me, Continuing Care has us covered!

–Camille Shepard

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A Letter From the Top Dog: Celebrating 60 Years In 1957, the Arizona Humane Society was founded by a compassionate group of volunteers seeking to end animal suffering in our community. Ever since then, we’ve believed that every pet deserves a good life and have been committed to serving both the pets and people of our community.

Thanks to the dedication and support of animal lovers just like you, we’ve saved thousands of lives and found homes for countless animals who just needed a second chance at love and happiness.

As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary in June, I’m extremely proud of all we’ve accomplished during the past six decades. But none more so than the strides we’ve made over the past four years.

For most of our existence, Maricopa County was considered one of the worst places to be a pet.

There was a flood of animals coming into our community’s shelters, many of which, sadly, weren’t making it out alive.

That wasn’t acceptable and we made a commitment to change the equation for homeless pets.

Thanks to your generosity, we’ve implemented a Parvo Puppy ICU, Kitten Nursery and Bottle Baby ICU and a Pet Resource Center devoted to providing resources to keeping pets in homes.

The result has been a remarkable 57 percent decrease in intake and an 84 percent decrease in euthanasia, and it was all made possible by your belief and investment in homeless animals.

Now, with fewer animals entering shelters, we can focus on those who need our help most – the sick, injured and abused animals who are rescued every day by our Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ and treated in our Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™, even those considered “untreatable” by other shelters.

The only thing stopping us from doing more is a fully-equipped, centrally-located facility. And as we move into the future and focus on our next 60 years, we plan to replace our 60-year-old, dilapidated Sunnyslope Campus with a new, state-of-the-art facility that will support a trauma hospital, behavior rehabilitation, rescue and cruelty investigation, resources for pet owners in need, a public veterinary clinic, adoptions, community outreach and more.

With your continued support, we will change our world for dogs and cats and save the lives of those we couldn’t save before. And, together, we’ll give every pet a good life.

Dr. Steven R. Hansen AHS President & CEO

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L O N G -T I M E V O L U N T E E R SV E T L A N A S H A R P LO O KS B AC K AT A H S ’ C H R I S T M A S PA S T

Marge Wright chatting with guests at the 1977 AHS Christmas Party.

Before our 1,100-guest Compassion with Fashion event, the Valley’s most generous animal lovers celebrated at the “AHS Christmas Party” each year.

We asked long-time AHS volunteer and donor Svetlana Sharp, who chaired the party in 1982, to take us back 35 years to that special celebration.

Q: What inspired you to chair the 1982 AHS Christmas Party?

A: Next to my family, animals are number one in my life. From my youth in Europe, to my young adult life with two young children in Toronto, so many animals have touched my life. So the first thing I did when I moved to Arizona in 1977 was to find AHS and start volunteering. I was asked by Susan Trommer, who was then serving as the volunteer president, to chair the Christmas Party six years later. About 40 people attended and guests enjoyed holiday treats, got to meet dogs and cats up for adoption, and made donations to help in our work.

Q: Who were some of your best volunteers who helped you to pull off the party?

A: The much-loved, deeply missed Marge Wright worked on the party with me, and I’ll never forget “Margie” or her love for animals. And my fellow volunteer Shirley Cairo was the most dedicated soul I’ve ever met – she spent almost every day with the animals doing tremendous work.

Q: What was your favorite memory from AHS’ Christmas Parties?

A: The year we moved to the Mountain Shadows resort felt so luxurious after hosting the party for years at the shelter. And look where we are today!

Hannah Forstrom hosts a lemonade stand fundraiser to raise money for AHS’ homeless pets.

F O R S T R O M FA M I LY H E L P I N G HOMELESS PETS FOR THREE G E N E R AT I O N S LaBelle “Cricket” Forstrom, longtime supporter of AHS, recalls the first time she was introduced to the organization 60 years ago in 1957 when her family’s pup found himself lost. The dog made his way to the newly opened AHS Sunnyslope Campus, where her family located him and brought him home. Since that day, the Forstrom family has continued their involvement in several ways with their support spanning three generations.

LaBelle and her daughter, Shelly, are now members of AHS’ Circle of Friends, a dedicated group of donors who help raise funds for spay/neuter initiatives.

Shelly has also been a member of the Compassion with Fashion committee since 2011, playing a crucial role in planning the annual fundraiser. Their passion has also been passed down to Shelly’s daughter, Hannah, who attends summer camp, hosts neighborhood fundraisers and shares the importance of giving back with her friends. Shelly believes that charity starts at home and that it is crucial to teach our youth the importance of being a voice for animals.

The Forstrom family looks forward to keeping the AHS family tradition going strong for many years to come.

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195 7 AHS opens.

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“Pets on Parade” TV show first airs.

The first AHS ambulance heads out to rescue sick and injured animals.

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AHS and its Alliance for Companion Animal partners, with funding from PetSmart Charities and the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, launch the Fix. Adopt.Save. initiative.

The campaign brings together seven local animal welfare agencies to increase adoptions, spay/neuter services and fostering, while raising awareness about our community’s homeless animal problem.

AHS introduces expanded veterinary services to the community at the Margaret McAllister Brock Veterinary Clinic.

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AHS branches out, opening the Tri-City Shelter in Tempe.

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AHS’ Sunnyslope Campus expands its services with the addition of a veterinary hospital.

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AHS extends aid to the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina by sending 48 staff members to New Orleans.

241 homeless, sick and injured dogs and cats arrived at AHS shelters in Phoenix.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Campus for Compassion opens.

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AHS becomes a founding member of the Humane Legislative Coalition of Arizona, which has led efforts to pass laws that make it safer for animals in Arizona, including a City of Phoenix tethering ordinance and a state law that allows Good Samaritans to take action without risk of civil liability if they rescue a child or a pet from a hot car.

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AHS implements a variety of lifesaving programs, including its Kitten Nursery ICU, Waggin’ Wheels Mobile Adoption Vehicle, Admissions by Appointment, Pet Resource Center and Working Cats program.

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1996

AHS helps pass The Dog Fighting Law, making the cruel sport of dog fighting illegal in Arizona.

AHS’ Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™ is founded, allowing us to treat ill and injured homeless pets.

1997 AHS writes and sponsors “Shoka’s Law,” taking aim at the unhealthy practice of puppy-mill breeding.

AHS and other animal welfare organizations succeed in making cockfighting a felony in Arizona.

2 002 AHS launches the first-ever Emergency Animal Medical Technician™ program, whose “pet paramedics” rush to the aid of sick and injured animals throughout the Valley and investigate animal cruelty cases.

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AHS opens a Parvo Puppy ICU to treat shelter puppies and dogs infected with the highlycontagious Canine Parvovirus (parvo).

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1999

In response to the September 11th attacks, AHS launches Project Active Duty, which provides foster care for pets of military personnel being deployed for active duty.

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AHS adds a Bottle Baby Kitten ICU to provide 24-hour care to orphaned, newborn kittens.

1998

AHS launches its first Mobile Spay/Neuter and Animal Wellness Center.

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AHS’ field team, along with AHS as a whole, returns to Animal Planet for Animal Cops Phoenix, a reality TV series that follows the lifesaving work of AHS’ EAMTs.

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C O M B AT T I N G C R U E LT Y Last summer, the City of Phoenix passed a city ordinance that makes it a crime to tether an animal on less than 10 feet, in harsh weather conditions or with a collar that’s too tight, giving the Arizona Humane Society an important tool to address a common call to our animal abuse hotline.

The new law is already paying dividends, as we recently celebrated our first court victory involving a case in which two dogs had been illegally tethered during triple-digit temperatures. The dogs’ owner was found guilty and sentenced to a $250 fine for each dog plus court fees. Future offenses would result in increased fines and eventual mandatory jail time.

AHS also recently partnered with the City of Phoenix to seek justice for a puppy involved in a horrific case of animal cruelty. In March, a female Boxer/Pit Bill Mix puppy was found deceased on the side of a road with a rope tied on her front and rear limbs. She also had severe injuries and may have been dragged in the roadway.

AHS teamed with Silent Witness to offer a reward up to $2,000 for tips leading to the person who committed this unspeakable act.

It’s thanks to your advocacy and support that we will continue to keep Arizona safe for animals. If you see signs of animal cruelty, please contact AHS’ Field Department at 602.997.7585 Ext. 2073.

V I C TO RY: B I L L S A I M E D TO E N D H O T- C A R D E AT H S , S U P P O R T S PAY/ N E U T E R S I G N E D I N T O L AW !

The Arizona Humane Society and the Humane Legislative Coalition of Arizona have successfully led efforts to pass a pair of state bills that will make our community safer for animals.

Calls about children and animals in distress in hot cars occur far too often during our blazing Valley summers. But now, a new Arizona law aimed to end hot-car deaths, will help curtail senseless deaths in our community. HB2494 allows Good Samaritans to take action without risk of civil liability if they rescue a child or a pet from a hot car.

Animal advocates also have a reason to celebrate next year’s tax season thanks to the signing of HB2523, which allows Arizona residents to make a voluntary contribution via a check off box to fund much-needed affordable spay/neuter services throughout Arizona. This initiative is expected to generate close to $200,000 to support spay/neuter efforts statewide.

Thank you to everyone who took action and reached out to their elected officials. You’ve helped give a voice to Arizona’s animals.

To familiarize yourself with the provisions of HB2494 and HB2523 and sign up for advocacy alerts, visit azhumane.org/advocacy.

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STORKS WILL SOON VISIT AHS MUTTERNITY SUITES! As AHS continues to transform and expand our lifesaving medical programs in order to save as many lives as possible, we are thrilled to announce that construction of our “Mutternity Suites” is underway. Initial funding from a generous, longtime donor, Shirley Vail, has made possible this planned expansion of AHS’ Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™.

Mutternity Suites will offer a quiet, contained place for mothers to give birth with medical supervision. In the event foster homes are unavailable for pregnant mothers, the suites offer a secondary, temporary birthing option and bridge the gap between available foster homes and the needs of our pregnant and nursing mothers. Once the litter is born, they will then be transferred into AHS foster hero homes.

We still need your help to get Mutternity Suites off the ground. To make a lifesaving gift to this project, please visit azhumane.org/mutternitysuites.

Register Today! azhumane.org/camps

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

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

D O N ’ T T R A D E I T, D O N AT E I T !

Have a vehicle you no longer need? Your four wheels could provide one of our four-legged friends with a much-needed tune-up and a second chance at life. When you donate your vehicle, proceeds from the sale of that vehicle go directly towards medical treatment, rescue services, food and shelter for our animals until they find a loving home. Visit azhumane.org/vehicledonation to learn more.

ONLINE FOSTER O R I E N TAT I O N

Our pets need your help…just for a little while. Becoming a foster hero has never been easier! We’ve launched an innovative way to save lives with our new online foster orientation and bottle baby kitten training. It’s easy, quick and you can take it at a time and place that is convenient for you! Register today and take your first step towards saving a life at azhumane.org/foster.

Help Save Homeless Pets Want to help us cut down on printing and mailing costs so we can buy more toys and treats for our homeless pets? If you would prefer to receive the electronic version of Paw Prints, sign up at azhumane.org/pawprints.

PETIQUE AT B I LT M O R E C LOS E S

Biltmore Fashion Park has been great to the Arizona Humane Society, but soon, another store will be replacing Petique. We’re sad to go, but more importantly, we’re celebrating the reduced-rent partnership that allowed us to adopt 7,000 pets in seven years and reminded millions to adopt, not shop. Thank you, Macerich!

You can still shop for paws and cause through our Petique Online store or any of our other Petique locations. Visit azhumane.org/ shop to learn more.

EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE Sick & Injured Rescues Report Animal Cruelty

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