Published For Friends of the Arizona Humane Society
SUMMER 2019
PUPPY RECOVERS AFTER INGESTING METH PAGE // 3
ANIMAL WELFARE 101: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
CRACKING DOWN ON ANIMAL ABUSE
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ASK EDDISON Eddison is one of our animal teachers who interacts with children at camps, birthday parties and in classrooms. In each issue of Paw Prints, Eddison will answer a question we receive from our supporters.
Our Mission Every pet deserves a good life. With a vision to end animal suffering, we rescue, heal, adopt and advocate for sick, injured and abused animals.
Our Values Innovation. Compassion. Excellence.
Q: What can I do to keep my pets safe this summer? As someone stuck in a fur coat every day, I can’t tell you how hot, and dangerous, it can get for us four-legged pets during the triple-digit Arizona summers. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help protect your pets. Never leave your pets unattended in a hot car If you see a pet or child in a hot car and believe they are in imminent danger, you can take action and break the window (see page four to learn what steps to take).
Dr. Steven R. Hansen President & CEO
Keep your pets indoors when possible Limit outdoor exercise to the early morning or evening. Be sure to avoid long walks, hikes and excessive play. Instead, cure summertime boredom by hiding portions of your dog’s breakfast or dinner around the house for them to search for. Is it too hot to walk? Hold your bare foot to the ground for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for bare feet, it’s too hot for bare paws. Make sure your pets have plenty of water And be sure to know the signs of heat stroke. Visit azhumane.org/nohotdogsaz to learn more.
2019 AHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee Andrea Marconi, Chair Dr. Craig Thatcher, Vice Chair Kerry Milligan, Secretary Matthew Waller, Treasurer (Finance Chair) Suzanne Pearl, Past Chair Deborah J. DePaoli, Governance Chair Melinda Gulick, Facility Development Committee Chair
Board Members Bryan Albue, President’s Club Steering Committee Chair Anthony Alfonso Courtney Beller Katherine Cecala Ann Damiano Dyan Getz Susie Ingold Christine Jensen, Planned Giving Chair Melissa Rupoli-Katz Tracey Lyons Kimberlee Reimann Padilla Ann Siner Patricia Tate Jennifer Weinbrenner
AZHUMANE.ORG
SUMMER 2019
Puppy Recovers After Ingesting Meth Five-month-old Hailey was found by a Phoenix Police Officer in a dumpster, where she had been tossed away like meaningless trash. She was taken to a local emergency clinic and then transferred to the Arizona Humane Society’s Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™. Hailey tested positive for methamphetamine toxicity and showed signs of drug-induced hyperthermia with a temperature of nearly 105°. Hailey was suffering from a rapid heartbeat and stumbling around. Every time she would try to turn to the side, this poor pup would fall to the ground. Over the next several weeks, AHS’ trauma team treated her with sedatives to slow down her systems and IV fluid support to help excrete the drugs from her little body. She would eventually move to the home of a Foster Hero, where she would experience the kindness, comfort and love she was denied before.
Nearly one month after her heartbreaking ordeal, Hailey is now a happy-go-lucky puppy with a new, loving family to spoil her. And more animals like Hailey urgently need you this summer.
Our Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital, Mutternity Suites, Kitten Nursery, Bottle Baby Kitten ICU and Parvo Puppy ICU save the lives of pets routinely euthanized in shelters. And you can help provide lifesaving care to animals in our community by making a gift to our Urgent Summer Fund. When you give today at azhumane.org/summer, your generosity will help support our comprehensive medical, behavioral rehabilitation, surrender intervention and spay/neuter initiatives that have saved an additional 80,000 lives over the last five years. You can also help by shopping at AJ’s Fine Foods during the month of August and donating at checkout. Be sure to tune in to a special edition of Pets on Parade on Saturday, August 24th at 12:30 p.m. on 3TV for an update on adorable Hailey.
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ANIMAL WELFARE 101: What You Need to Know
AHS Field Operations Management Team (from left to right): Tracey Miiller, Ruthie Jesus and Stephanie Johnston
Dog without shelter in a backyard? Pet locked in a hot car? Knowing what actions you can take, and what is legally allowed, when it comes to pets in need can be confusing. AHS’ Field Operations Management team breaks down your top questions.
Who do I call for a stray dog running at large? AHS’ Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ respond to calls for sick, injured and abused pets whereas Maricopa County Animal Care and Control responds to calls involving stray pets running at large, dog bites, barking complaints and dog licensing.
Can I break a car window if I see a pet inside? We encourage people to never leave their pets unattended in a vehicle. Arizona’s Good Samaritan law allows people to take action should they see a child or pet in a hot car. Simply follow these steps: Call 911, determine if the vehicle is locked, if unlocked, open the door, if locked, break the window and remain with the pets until help arrives. AHS is teaming with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on their “Don’t Leave Me Behind” campaign to help spread this important message in our community.
How do I know if a boarding facility is legitimate? When researching where to board your pets, be sure to ask friends and family for recommendations, search online reviews and then visit the facility and ask for a tour. If they are unwilling to show you the facility, that could be a red flag. In addition, ask what their protocols are should your pet become sick or injured while in their care.
SUMMER 2019
My neighbor’s dogs are chained up outside all day long. Is that okay? According to state law (ARS 13-2910), people are required to provide their pets with adequate food, water, shelter and medical treatment. Pets who are chained or tethered will often get entangled, cutting off access to these basic needs. Some Arizona cities do have tethering ordinances, including:
·P hoenix prohibits the tethering of pets in extreme weather conditions (below 32 degrees or above 100 degrees) and also prohibits restraints shorter than 10 feet in length. ·G lendale prohibits tethering for the purpose of animal confinement, regardless of weather conditions. ·T empe prohibits tethering when the temperature is below 45 degrees and above 85 degrees, and pets must be supervised by somebody physically at the property.
Life on a Chain It was mid-April when Animal Cruelty Investigator Mark Smith pulled up to the house. Through a gate, he could see a black and white dog cowering under a porch attempting to get out of the sun. The day’s high was expected to reach 92 degrees. The dog was thin, appeared sick and the conditions surrounding his chain were unsanitary to say the least, as flies rested on the feces nearby. To make matters worse, the dog was also confined to a three-foot chain with no water in sight, a direct violation of the City of Phoenix’s anti-tethering ordinance. Throughout his investigation, Smith learned that the dog, Sparky, was 12 years old. When his owner was arrested seven years ago, his world became very small and consisted only of life on that three-foot chain, year after year, according to witness accounts. Witnesses also stated that Sparky was so sweet that the feral cats in the yard would curl up next to him. Today, Sparky is living his golden years surrounded by air conditioning and love, a far cry from his previous surroundings. And this summer, in honor of Sparky, AHS is committed to raising awareness towards the dangers of tethering. Visit azhumane.org/knowthedangers to learn more. #knowthedangers
There are dozens of outdoor cats in my neighborhood. Can someone come pick them up? Unlike dogs, there are no leash laws for cats in Arizona. It is estimated that there are more than 200,000 outdoor cats in Maricopa County. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the best approach for controlling outdoor cat populations. Learn more at somanycats.org.
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New Law Means Animal Abusers Will Face Stiffer Penalties “It is a case that haunts me every single day,” said Tracey Miiller, AHS field operations manager, as she recounted her experience finding an extremely dehydrated, emaciated dog and her efforts to save him. He didn’t make it. From heartbreaking neglect to horrific abuse, AHS’ Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ partner with law enforcement to conduct more than 7,400 cruelty investigations each year. Miiller shared her story at an Arizona Senate Commerce Committee hearing in support of House Bill 2671. It was one of the final steps prior to passage of the legislation, which provides greater penalties in the most heinous cases of pet abuse.
“Passage of 2671 closes a dangerous loophole in Arizona law which allowed extreme animal abusers to plead down to a misdemeanor and evade both just punishment and necessary psychiatric supervision,” said bill sponsor Representative John Kavanagh. “It not only protects pets but also people because many of these abusers go on to harm humans.” The law is a huge victory and the culmination of four years of AHS efforts, along with tireless support from advocates. Thanks to all those who made calls or reached out to their elected representatives to make Arizona safer for pets. To learn more about how we advance legislation to protect pets and advocate to fight cruelty and neglect, visit azhumane.org/advocacy.
AHS President Named to AVMA Committee Arizona Humane Society President & CEO Dr. Steven Hansen, a Diplomate of the American College of Animal Welfare, was recently appointed to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Legislative Advisory Committee. Dr. Hansen will leverage his background in animal welfare, academia and the veterinary pharmaceutical industry to help shape laws and policy that will help animals and people nationwide.
SUMMER 2019
Young Cancer Survivor Reunites With Best Friend After eight long months apart, 5-year-old Lily, couldn’t wait to reunite with her best friend Maui, a 2-year-old Labradoodle mix. When the Diaz family temporarily moved across the country to seek cancer treatment in New York City for Lily, they sadly had no one to help care for Maui. That’s when they turned to AHS’ Project Assist Program for help. The goal of Project Assist is to provide foster care for the pets of individuals who are hospitalized or in an emergency situation. Typically the program is a 30-day program, but was extended for Lily’s special case. Foster Hero Erica stepped up to care for Maui during Lily’s treatment, providing all the love Maui would need while his family was away! During such a difficult time for Lily and her family, they knew that their beloved companion was in good hands. Project Assist is just one of the many ways AHS focuses on partner collaboration through a variety of different initiatives, including placing pets in foster, rescue and permanent homes, reducing overcapacity in other shelters and reuniting lost pets with their owners.
FeLV: No Longer a Death Sentence Earlier this year, 6-year-old Vincent became the first cat with Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) adopted out of our new community cat room that has been designated to house FeLV positive adult cats. For years, it had been commonplace in shelters to euthanize FeLV positive cats as the disease can spread to other felines through interactions, such as food, water bowls and the litter box. That mindset, however, has shifted and we’re now saving the lives of cats like Vincent. Feline leukemia, suppresses the immune system, but the illness can be managed and FeLV positive cats can live long, healthy lives. So far this year, we have given a second chance to 35 FeLV positive cats just like Vincent through adoption and rescue placement.
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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
Volunteer to Help Our Cutest Residents We are fortunate to have volunteers who selflessly give their time in our Bottle Baby Kitten ICU to make sure these orphaned kittens are fed and cared for. Because these little ones need feedings around the clock, we are in urgent need of volunteers to fill the night shift time slots. Are you a night owl who loves kittens? Sign up to volunteer at azhumane.org/volunteer.
Put the Brakes on Pet Overpopulation You can be a driving force in the battle against pet homelessness by purchasing pet-friendly license plates. Pet-friendly Arizona plates are available for only $25 per year, and $17 from each plate helps support spay and neuter services for dogs and cats in Arizona. Order your plates at azpetplates.org or call the ADOT Motor Vehicles Division Offices near you.
Video Tips to Keep Families Together Our Pet Resource Center connects struggling owners with behavior and low-cost services to help keep pets and people together, and we’ve recently launched a new educational video series that provides behavior and training tips that will help keep pets in homes and out of the shelter. Learn more at azhumane.org/prcvideos.