PawPrints Magazine: Summer 2021

Published For Friends of the Arizona Humane Society

SUMMER 2021

ARE FAMILIES REALLY RETURNING THEIR “PANDEMIC PETS”?

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GIVE TODAY SO PETS CAN HAVE A TOMORROW PAGE // 4

A NEW BEGINNING FOR HOMELESS ANIMALS PAGE // 5

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PAW P R I N T S

ASK EDISON Edison is one of our animal teachers who interacts with children at camps, during birthday parties and in classrooms. In each issue of Paw Prints, Edison answers 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: Are animal shelters like the Arizona Humane Society still testing for FeLV and FIV in cats?

I love my kitty friends! And I can assure you the kind folks at AHS are continually seeking new ways to provide the highest care and best outcomes for all the cats, dogs and critters (like me!) that they care for.

Over the last several years, new information surrounding the accuracy of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) testing in cats and kittens has been at the forefront of animal welfare discussions. Based on recent advancements in our knowledge and discussions with animal welfare peers, AHS has discontinued testing healthy cats and kittens for FeLV and FIV. With this change, and under the guidance of UC Davis’ Koret Shelter Medicine Program, AHS joins a growing list of large animal welfare organizations that follow these recommended guidelines.

Prior to this change, fewer than two percent of the cats we took in each year tested positive for these diseases, yet we were subjecting our entire feline population to stressful blood draws – I had one of those the other day and it was no fun at all!

Eliminating these tests decreases stress on our cats and allows AHS to treat more cats and save more lives.

AHS will continue to test felines who are showing signs of illness and will continue to work closely with adopters to ensure they have the information they need for a healthy and happy life with their pet.

Dr. Steven R. Hansen President & CEO

2021 AHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Committee Andrea Marconi, Chair Dr. Craig Thatcher, Vice Chair Bryan Albue, Secretary Matthew Waller, Treasurer & Finance Chair Suzanne Pearl, Past Chair & President’s Club Steering Committee Chair Tracey Lyons, Governance Chair

Board Members Anthony Alfonso Courtney Beller, Compassion with Fashion Co-Chair Yvonne A Betts Andrea L. Claus, Planned Giving Chair Ann Damiano Dr. Karla Fisher Dyan Getz, Circle of Friends Co-Chair Dr. Linda Groomes Suzanne Hensing Susie Ingold Julie Johnson Ann-Marie Lee Kerry Milligan Kimberlee Reimann Padilla Ann Siner Patricia Tate Jo Taulbee-Flittie

AZHUMANE.ORG

SUMMER 2021

Are Families Really Returning Their “Pandemic Pets”?

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately one in five households has welcomed a pet into their home, resulting in an incredible number of adoptions locally and nationally. But as restrictions have started to lift, many people are asking: “Are adopted pets being returned to shelters due to pet parents returning to work?”

The short answer is no. In Maricopa County, there is no data to suggest that “pandemic pets” have caused a higher-than-average percentage of adoption returns. In fact, studies show that quite the opposite is happening.

According to the ASPCA, approximately 87 percent of pet owners say they are not considering rehoming the animal they brought into their homes during the pandemic. Most owner returns are due to the usual causes, such as unexpected pet behavior, family allergies, adding a new baby in the home or moving.

That said, while the vast majority of owners are keeping their pandemic pets, the total number of pets entering shelters is on the rise. This is primarily due to individuals who have lost their jobs from the pandemic, which has led to their loss of housing. The result is many families have had to make the difficult decision to give up their beloved pets.

The eviction moratorium was scheduled to expire at the end of July, and it is critical for the community to address the root causes of why people are unable to keep their pets and offer real-time solutions to help keep pets in their homes and out of already overcrowded shelters.

The Pet Housing Help AZ Task Force seeks to be one part of the solution. It is a coalition of seven top animal welfare organizations in the

Valley – including AHS – that is making efforts to address this problem in several key areas, including:

• Expanded owned animal foster programs • Increased surrender prevention options • Increased collaboration with human and health service agencies

• Landlord education regarding pet-friendly housing

• And a specialized rehoming website – PetHousingHelpAZ.org

To learn more about the Pet Housing Help AZ Task Force, resources that are available or how you can help a pet owner in need, please visit PetHousingHelpAZ.org.

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Belle’s Battle Against Parvo Belle was fighting for her life when she arrived at the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control in February. She arrived through AHS’ Project Reachout program, which takes in pets who need medical treatment that other shelters simply cannot provide. At

Every year, your support makes it possible for

just two months old, Belle was diagnosed with

lifesaving programs like our trauma hospital, Parvo

Parvovirus, a highly contagious, often fatal disease

Puppy ICU, Mutternity Suites, Kitten Nursery and

that has long been considered untreatable by

Bottle Baby ICU to save thousands of pets who are

animal shelters throughout the country.

routinely euthanized in other shelters.

Luckily for this tiny girl, our team was ready. It was touch and go for many nights. But thanks to weeks of round-the-clock care in AHS’ Parvo Puppy ICU, an extension of AHS’ Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™, this sweet pup slowly gained her strength and beat the odds to survive this preventable disease. Belle is one of 290 puppies

And when you make a gift today to our Urgent Summer Fund Drive at azhumane.org/summer, you are giving hope to vulnerable pets like Belle.

You can also give hope to these deserving pets by shopping and donating at checkout at AJ’s Fine Foods during the month of August.

and dogs who have been saved through AHS’

You can make an incredible difference for pets

Parvo Puppy ICU this past year. Belle is now living

this summer. Give today, so pets like Belle will

with her loving forever family in Peoria, Arizona.

have a tomorrow.

Covered with Tar, Tara and Kittens Overcome Hardships Tara has been through quite a wild adventure in her short time on this earth. At just two years old, this unique domestic shorthair calico was rescued by an Arizona Humane Society Emergency Animal Medical Technician™ in March of this year – when she was found covered in fresh street asphalt.

It was a miracle that little Tara survived this dangerous situation, and even more so because she was also caring for three underage kittens of her own who depended on her for survival. Thankfully, AHS was able to care for her and her babies in our Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™, where our compassionate staff gently removed the tar from Tara’s paws and underbelly.

Once medically sound, Tara and her little cuties moved to a Foster Hero home. Her lucky kittens are on their way to finding their forever homes, and Tara continues to get some well-deserved rest with her doting foster family.

Of course, Tara’s story wouldn’t be possible without you. Thanks to your support of our comprehensive medical, behavioral rehabilitation, surrender intervention and spay/neuter initiatives, an additional 115,000 animals like Tara and her kitties have been saved over the last seven years.

SUMMER 2021

A New Beginning for Homeless Animals Summer is upon us. As temperatures escalate, the Arizona Humane Society’s intake of homeless animals suffering from heat exposure and critical injuries increase as well.

The incredible demand for AHS’ lifesaving services far outpaces our ability to keep up with the need.

Our most fragile animals flood our intensive care units – like infant kittens who need round-theclock care and puppies who arrive with infectious diseases like Parvo. Combined with inadequate isolation space to house these delicate pets, our burden is great. The urgency to replace the aging and failing animal hospital at the AHS Sunnyslope Campus has reached its pinnacle.

Fortunately, we have thrilling news to share.

The new AHS Papago Park Campus is on track to break ground in fall 2021 and will open its doors in spring 2023. When complete, this new location will operate in tandem with the existing Nina Mason Pulliam Campus for Compassion

we have raised $20.5 million. This leaves $8.5

and the Sunnyslope Campus to provide a

million to raise from our donors and friends to hit

community-wide system of care for our

our $28 million fundraising goal.

Valley’s most vulnerable pets.

To receive email updates or to learn more about

Thanks to the generosity of our Campaign

AHS’ Campaign to Transform Animal Welfare,

Cabinet, Board of Directors and key individuals

email us at transform@azhumane.org or visit

who have made early campaign commitments,

azhumane.org/transform.

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Dr. Merrill Chernov Creating a Legacy for Homeless Pets

It was 1988, and Dr. Merrill Chernov and his late wife Mary had just lost their beloved furry family member, Maggie, a teacup Poodle.

Wanting to honor Maggie’s memory, they made their fi rst-ever gift to the Arizona Humane Society in hopes of creating a lifetime of new memories for another rescue pet.

“One of our dogs had passed away and we were overwhelmed with grief,” Dr. Chernov explained. “That dog gave us so much love. As a tribute, we wanted to make it possible for another rescue dog to shower someone else’s family with love. We just never stopped giving.”

Intent on bolstering the work of nonprofits dedicated to bettering life for Valley pets in need, the Chernovs founded their passion project, People Saving Pets, in the 1990s. Since then, People Saving Pets has contributed generously to a variety of animal welfare organizations in Arizona.

“Our number one charity is the Arizona Humane Society,” said Dr. Chernov, a renowned vascular specialist who is now retired. “They work so hard to save disadvantaged pets who are suffering in the Valley.

They fi nd special homes to bring joy to those pets in need who, in turn, give so much love back to the people who rescue them.”

No longer comfortable with owning dogs of his own, Dr. Chernov sought help from AHS to coordinate visits from certifi ed therapy dogs during the pandemic.

Deeply passionate about AHS, Dr. Chernov is a member of both the President’s Club and Legacy Circle and has invested in the Campaign to Transform Animal Welfare.

“I want this to be our legacy,” Dr. Chernov said.

Give BIG LOVE to BIG DOGS Do you have big love to give to big dogs who need a temporary place to stay? We are currently seeking Foster Heroes to care for pets who come through our Project Home Away From Home program!

Project Home Away From Home, in partnership with PetSmart, helps families who are experiencing a crisis and require long-term care for their pets (generally 30–90 days).

As COVID-19 continues to impact many in our community, we have seen an increasing number of applicants to Project Home Away From Home – particularly those with large dogs who need temporary housing in homes that do not already have other pets.

If you’d like to open your home to a large, cuddly pup until they can be reunited with their family, sign up to become a Project Home Away From Home Foster Hero. And if large dogs aren’t your thing? No problem. We’re seeking fosters for all types of pets and can use your help.

Our Foster Hero program is just one piece of our extensive partner collaboration efforts, which also include placing pets in rescue and permanent homes, reducing overcapacity in other shelters and reuniting lost pets with their owners.

Become a Foster Hero today at azhumane.org/foster.

SUMMER 2021

Preparing Communities for Disaster: AHS Named BISSELL Pet Foundation’s National Shelter Alliance Partner BISSELL Pet Foundation (BPF), in partnership with Code 3 Associates and the Arizona Humane Society (AHS), has launched the BISSELL Pet Foundation National Shelter Alliance. This new, progressive approach to shelter networking will provide service and support for overwhelmed animal shelters before, during and after a crisis.

AHS will provide assistance, make training accessible for all shelters, and empower shelter staff with resources and referrals during crises.

“As the state’s designated responder for animals in distress during natural disasters, AHS is honored to expand our efforts to provide training, resources and referrals to other organizations,” said Tracey Miiller, Arizona Humane Society Field Operations Manager.

“In times of disaster, there is nothing more critical than groups working together for both pets and people, and this program is a certainly a testament to that collaboration.”

Already this year, AHS has deployed its Emergency Response Team three times to support efforts surrounding the Telegraph and Backbone Fires. The Telegraph Fire was the first time in AHS history we have deployed two teams to one fire, while the Backbone fire was our longest wildfire deployment in history at nine days. Learn more at azhumane.org/disaster.

Passage of Key Bills Makes Arizona a Safer Place for Pets The Arizona Humane Society is committed to advancing legislation to protect pets and advocating to fight cruelty and neglect. This past legislative session saw the passage of several key bills that will help better protect pets in Arizona:

• HB 2484 makes it a class 1 (highest) misdemeanor for a person to

knowingly own, possess, purchase, sell, transfer or manufacture “animal fighting paraphernalia” for the purpose of engaging in, promoting or facilitating animal fighting or cockfighting.

• HB 2507 provides for a landlord to be authorized to request the name

and contact information of a person who is authorized to enter a home to retrieve the tenant’s animal if the tenant dies or is otherwise incapacitated.

• SB 1124 will create a $4 million, four-year state low-income housing tax credit program contributing to thousands of new affordable housing

units across the state, opening up more affordable, pet-friendly housing options.

For more information on AHS’ advocacy efforts, visit azhumane.org/advocacy. For information on how you can help support individuals impacted by the housing crisis, visit pethousinghelpaz.org.

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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

Adoptions in Scottsdale PetSmart Reopen After more than a year away, we’re thrilled to announce that adoptions at our Scottsdale PetSmart location have reopened to help find homes for Valley pets. Adoptions resumed in June 2021 after we were forced to temporarily halt operations due to COVID-19 in April of 2020. We are so grateful to PetSmart for this continued partnership that allows us to expand the walls of our shelter and bring the Valley’s best adoptable pets to more people. Are you ready to find a new furry family member? Visit azhumane.org/adopt to search for your perfect match!

Be a Driving Force Against Pet Overpopulation Help put the brakes on 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 office near you.

AHS Wins Best Nonprofit for Third Straight Year!

We’re thrilled to announce that for the third straight year, the Arizona Humane Society has been voted PHOENIX Magazine’s Best of the Valley top nonprofit organization and best place to volunteer! We couldn’t achieve this amazing honor without the support of pet lovers like you.

Thank you for helping us save our community’s most vulnerable animals and enrich the lives of pets and people.