Published For Friends of the Arizona Humane Society
WINTER 2019
HOLIDAY DRIVE TO SAVE LIVES PAGE // 4
PARTNERING TO PROTECT ANIMALS PAGE // 5
106 FOSTERS AND COUNTING PAGE // 6
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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, birthday parties and in classrooms. In each issue of Paw Prints, Edison will answer a question we receive from our supporters.
Our Mission We save the most vulnerable animals and enrich the lives of pets and people.
Our Values Innovation. Compassion. Excellence.
Q: Is AHS working with rescue groups to help save pets? Yes! We are proud to partner with over 60 different rescue groups across the Valley who share in our goal to save the lives of more homeless pets. While working with rescue groups is not a new initiative of ours, we saw a need in our community to have stronger partnerships with those groups and have recently revamped our Rescue Partner Program to be more mutually beneficial to both AHS and our partners.
Through partner collaboration, we place pets in foster, rescue and permanent homes, reduce shelters and reunite lost pets with their owners.
Our rescue partners play a critical role in our mission to save the most vulnerable animals and enrich the lives of pets and people, and we welcome other groups to join us. Learn more at azhumane.org/rescue.
AHS President and CEO Dr. Steven Hansen accepted a board seat for the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (formerly known as the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators). Dr. Hansen will serve a three-year term starting in November and represent AHS nationally.
President & CEO
overcapacity in other
Through improved communication, added partner benefits, cross promotion and continued growth in how we collaborate, we have already seen a positive difference, and look forward to continuing to grow and improve for the benefit of animals in our community.
AHS President and CEO Named to National Animal Welfare Board
Dr. Steven R. Hansen
2019 AHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee Andrea Marconi, Chair Dr. Craig Thatcher, Vice Chair Bryan Albue, Secretary Matthew Waller, Treasurer and Finance Chair Suzanne Pearl, Past Chair and President’s Club Steering Committee Chair Tracey Lyons, Governance Chair and Circle of Friends Co-Chair
Board Members Anthony Alfonso Courtney Beller, Compassion with Fashion Co-Chair Ann Damiano Deborah J. DePaoli Dr. Karla Fisher Dyan Getz, Circle of Friends Co-Chair Susie Ingold Christine Jensen, Planned Giving Chair Kerry Milligan Kimberlee Reimann Padilla Ann Siner Patricia Tate
AZHUMANE.ORG
WINTER 2019
Love at First Site: Pauly Pauly was picked up from an emergency animal clinic as a stray by our Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™. He was brought to our Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™ where he was treated for wounds to his face and an injured left front leg. He would also eventually need surgery to remove a foreign object from his body. Upon his recovery, Pauly was extremely anxious at the shelter and wound up spending several months in the home of Foster Hero Kaitlyn. In the end, Kaitlyn decided she just couldn’t let Pauly go and adopted this sweet 3-year-old pit bull at our BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters adoption event in August where we adopted out 449 pets in two days! Thank you, BISSELL! Kaitlyn share’s Pauly’s story: When we first picked up Pauly to bring home to foster, we didn’t know we were going to fall in love and adopt him. He was this sweet, scared pup who had nothing but love to give. He came home and was too afraid to go up the stairs, didn’t play with toys and didn’t enjoy the little luxuries like his soft bed. Although he still doesn’t like his bed, he enjoys the luxury of sleeping in our bed with us. Slowly, day after day, with lots of treats and time, Pauly became comfortable with us. He
began to be less stressed and began to play with more toys. He knows he’s the little man of the house and loves going everywhere with us. He loves car rides, treats and even little kids. He has been nothing but love and joy for us and we’re so glad he’s officially ours! We are thankful for the Arizona Humane Society and the opportunity to foster him. We are thankful for meeting our dream dog unexpectedly and thankful to the Empty the Shelters adoption event by BISSELL for finally making Pauly officially ours!
Governor Ducey Celebrates AHS Pets In September, Governor Doug Ducey toured Arizona Humane Society’s Sunnyslope Campus in honor of International Day of Charity – a stop he chose out of many worthy nonprofits because of our impact on the community. “I wanted to personally thank the staff, volunteers and Foster Heroes of the Arizona Humane Society for their dedication and hard work in caring for nearly 17,000 sick, injured and abused homeless animals each year,” said Governor Ducey. Governor Doug Ducey (center) with AHS President and CEO Dr. Steven Hansen and Field Operations Supervisor Ruthie Jesus.
“Seeing first-hand AHS’ trauma hospital, Mutternity Suites and Bottle Baby Kitten ICU truly showcases the lifesaving impact that AHS, along with the community’s generous support, is having on the Valley’s most vulnerable pets.”
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GIVE HOPE TO HOMELESS AND ABUSED ANIMALS
Alfy
GIVE NOW A Z H U M A N E . O R G / H O L I D AY
Alfy Asks For Hope this Holiday Season When Alfy was first brought to the Arizona Humane Society, a hard life on the streets had left him in rough shape. He had been hit by a car and was suffering from multiple fractures in his right hind leg. Our Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™ veterinary team performed surgery to place bone plates in Alfy’s leg. Alfy then spent several weeks in our trauma hospital before moving to a Foster Hero home, where he is receiving plenty of love, affection and nurturing while he continues his recovery. The winter months have arrived, and we need your help to care for innocent cats and dogs, like Alfy, who are homeless, neglected or abused. You are
their lifeline to make it through the holiday season and to a new year that offers new hope. Your support of lifesaving programs like 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. Will you come to the rescue of vulnerable pets by joining our 2019 Holiday Drive to Save Lives today? Give hope to homeless and abused animals by making a lifesaving gift today at azhumane.org/holiday.
Blind Sisters See Love Together Crysta and Fern were just weeks old when the sisters arrived at the Arizona Humane Society, both suffering from severely infected eyes that left them unable to see. Our medical team determined that the best course of action, while still ensuring a good quality of life, would be to surgically remove their eyes in our Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™ through a procedure called a bilateral enucleation. Following their surgery, the siblings spent several weeks recovering in a Foster Hero home. They eventually appeared on Pets on Parade, our weekly TV show that takes place every Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on 3TV, before eventually finding a home together in Carefree.
Did You Know?
AHS is local nonprofit, not affiliated with other Humane Societies, and dependent on private donations to fund our work.
WINTER 2019
Partnering to Protect Animals By Heather Krimm
For more than 10 years, I’ve been investigating the most heinous crimes against animals for the City of Phoenix Police Department as a patrol officer and animal crimes detective. From beatings to shootings to stabbings, my days can be disturbing and difficult. But they can also be extremely rewarding and I’m proud of the work we are doing with the Arizona Humane Society to protect Valley pets. So far this year, the Arizona Humane Society and the Phoenix Police Department have partnered on 331 cases that have resulted in AHS confiscating 663 animals who were abandoned, abused, injured or living in extremely poor conditions. When these cases occur and, if we assess the situation and determine an individual is in violation of state law or city code, we will call the Arizona Humane Society’s Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ and Animal Cruelty Investigators to assist with the investigation and transport the animals who we seize. Many of the most difficult cases we partner on are large-scale intake cases that include at least 10 animals, oftentimes living in hoarding situations. This year alone, we’ve worked together on 39 such cases involving nearly 1,000 animals. I can’t tell you how awful some of these situations can be. Houses filled with trash and feces. The overwhelming smell of urine.
Heather Krimm is a Detective with the Phoenix Police Department’s Animal Cruelty Investigations division.
In the worst cases, we find deceased animals on the property. It’s truly heartbreaking, and I’m so grateful knowing AHS will provide the neglected animals medical and behavioral care. When animal cruelty crimes are committed, we do our very best to prosecute individuals and ensure justice is served. AHS plays a critical role in those efforts, as Animal Cruelty Investigators are called to court to provide testimony. So far this year, AHS investigators have assisted us by testifying 45 times. The passage of HB2671, which AHS helped spearhead this past year, will lead to just punishment for many more abusers. The anticruelty bill ensures that animal abusers will face stronger penalties in the worst cases of abuse – the ones where abusers intentionally and knowingly inflict cruel mistreatment. We recently celebrated the first case booked as a Class 5 felony under the new law when AHS Animal Cruelty Investigators responded to a suspected case of animal cruelty in Phoenix involving a Pug named Miso. Miso was transported to AHS’ Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™ where x-rays revealed that he had two fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, fractured tooth, and bloodwork also revealed elevated liver values consistent with acute injuries. Miso was treated in AHS’ trauma hospital and then placed in a new home. The Phoenix Police Department relies on our strong partnership with the Arizona Humane Society and looks forward to continuing our work together to make our community a safer place for animals.
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106 Fosters and Counting It was like any other golf outing. Or so Ted Tufty thought. After playing 18 holes, he arrived home, expecting to greet wife Stuart. And there she was. Holding a dirty white five-pound puppy whose front leg was wrapped in a pink cast. “I looked at that little girl, with a broken leg, badly needing a bath,” Ted recalls. “And Stuart says, ‘Welcome your new foster.’” While Ted was driving the golf ball down fairways and onto putting greens, Stuart had visited the Arizona Humane Society to attend a foster orientation and came home with the Tufty’s firstever foster, Chloe, a 6-week-old Maltipoo mix. Five years later, the Tuftys are still at it, and have helped rehabilitate 106 foster dogs. They specialize in helping underage, underweight puppies, but they run the gamut from a nursing mom with a litter of six babies to a senior Chihuahua mom. The Tuftys decided to foster following the passing of their Bichon/Poodle, Esther, who they had loved for more than 14 years. They were so lonely not having a dog in their home but were often traveling, so fostering seemed like a great fit.
because we were able to do so much for so many animals,” Stuart said. The Tufty’s generosity, however, goes far beyond fostering. They are also members of our President’s Club annual giving society and recently committed to underwriting our Furever Home for the Holidays adoption special December 20-21 to help pets find homes during the holidays. The Tuftys often find adopters for their own fosters and have personally helped place dozens into permanent homes, including their first little foster, Chloe, who they still see today as she lives with one of their neighbors.
Just over a year ago, Ted and Stuart finally added a permanent four-legged family member, another Bichon/Poodle named Chanel, but they continue fostering because they love it so much. In fact, the compassionate couple even foster when they’re away from home through other animal welfare organizations.
“It’s just the greatest experience,” Stuart said of fostering. “It’s such a joy and so rewarding and we make the best of it. We’ve seen so many dogs gain so much confidence and just love discovering all these different breeds and mixes. We take them from homeless and scared to being loved and safe. They all have a place in our hearts. I wish more people would consider having foster pets in their homes and helping them.”
“It’s a really good thing that we couldn’t find a replacement [for Esther] for as long as we did
To learn more about becoming a foster, visit azhumane.org/foster.
Teambuilding That Gives Back Share the love this holiday season by joining the Arizona Humane Society for a team building activity that gives back! As a group, you’ll get to spend time providing enrichment and socialization to our pets, handing out holiday treats, touring our campus and more. You and your “pack” of co-workers can enjoy a little time away from the office, while our homeless pets enjoy your snuggles. Learn how you can give back as a corporate group to our homeless animals during the holidays at azhumane.org/groups.
WINTER 2019
President’s Club Member Barbara Gant Gives New Life to Abused Pup No puppy should have to go through the torment Ginger did. Repeatedly kicked in the ribs, punched in the face and tossed up in the air, forced to land on the hard ground or in a pool. Ginger, the victim of repeated animal abuse, was confiscated by an East Valley police department in collaboration with an Arizona Humane Society Animal Cruelty Investigator and brought to AHS’ Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™ for care. Upon examination, our medical team discovered that the 6-month-old Spaniel puppy showed signs of previous injuries and broken bones. Ginger was treated for her physical injuries, but it was soon evident that her emotional scars would need healing as well. Ginger was extremely afraid of loud noises and meeting new people. So much so that she would urinate on the spot, a nervous condition likely triggered by fear. AHS’ Ethical No-Kill Philosophy™ ensures we never euthanize a pet for space or length of time, and with her case still making its way through the court system, AHS’ Behavior Team went to work to help her heal. Over the course of seven weeks, she learned to trust people again and was ready for the perfect home. Enter Barbara Gant, President’s Club member, long-time supporter of AHS and Spaniel lover. Barbara was recovering from the loss of her beloved 14-year-old Springer Spaniel, Gypsy, but was ready again to welcome a dog into her home. As luck would have it, Barbara was working with an AHS staffer to fund a much-needed piece of equipment for our trauma hospital. When she heard Ginger’s story, she jumped at the chance to meet the lovable pup. Ginger is now enjoying the life she deserves with Barbara, filled with love, compassion and kindness.
So far this year, AHS has responded to more than 7,200 cruelty investigations and is committed to saving pets like Ginger. AHS will continue to partner with law enforcement and advance legislation to protect pets and advocate to fight cruelty and neglect.
Your Used Car Can Bring New Hope to Homeless Pets 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 toward supporting our comprehensive medical, behavior rehabilitation, surrender intervention and spay/neuter initiatives that have saved an additional 80,000 lives over the last five years. Call 602.997.7585 Ext. 2034 or email cars@azhumane.org for more information.
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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
Partnership Offers Free Microchips During Vaccine Fridays AHS’ Pet Resource Center and veterinary clinics connect pet owners with affordable medical, behavior and support services to help keep pets and people together, and Valley pet owners can now get their pet microchipped for free during the Arizona Humane Society’s first Vaccine Friday event of each month thanks to Arizona Animal Rescue Mission. AARM is also providing free tags, leashes and collars to Arizona Humane Society veterinary clinic patients through December 31st while supplies last. Thank you AARM! For more information, visit azhumane.org/vaccinations.
Deck the Paws Your employees deserve a unique, one-of-a-kind experience and photo op at this year’s holiday party. Deck the Paws offers your hardworking staff canine cuddles from the Arizona Humane Society’s homeless hounds and a holiday-themed selfie station to capture memories made. Request your date today at azhumane.org/deckthepaws.
That’s a Cute Calendar! Adorn your wall with the Valley’s cutest calendar! The 2020 AHS Calendar is on sale and features photos of some of our most adorable pets! Order your copy today for just $20 (plus $2 shipping and handling) at azhumane.org/calendar. Proceeds from calendar sales go toward caring for our homeless pets.
2020 Calendar