November Pawsome Newsletter

Hello Subscriber,

“A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.”

November was filled with an abundance of grateful moments here at MCACC. We launched our new team-centric model at both shelters to create more accountability and responsibility in each team’s care and management of the pets in their areas. These shelter teams are comprised of a blend of talents and skills so that they can better focus on the animals under their direct care, instead of the entire shelter wide population. In just a short time, we are already seeing positive results; teams are interacting with and learning more about the behaviors of their dogs and cats, teams are providing  better adoption match-making, overall adoptions have increased and wait times have decreased.

A common saying around the shelter is we can’t do it alone – and it’s true. Throughout the year, our volunteer program has continued to grow,  adding over 65 new volunteers this fall, thanks to the dedicated work of our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator and the generosity of all our volunteers giving their time and talents to help our shelter pets.

We are also grateful for all the rescues and New Hope Partners who help support us by taking the shelter pets with more advanced behavior and/or medical needs that we receive each and every day. These valuable groups have helped save thousands of lives over the years and we can’t thank them enough, especially during these challenging times.

Operating two shelters with over 600 animals requires a constant supply of enrichment treats and toys. A special thank you to all the groups and individuals that have donated items recently. Your continued support allows our shelter pets to experience the additional mental stimulation and happy distractions that these yummy treats and fun toys provide. 

Additionally, we are forever thankful for the unending generosity of the Bissell Pet Foundation, who will be sponsoring adoption fees almost the entire month of December! Please see below for more information.

Wishing you and your family a very wonderful holiday season.

Photo: Clinic staff with adoptable Linda #A4656070.

TIS THE SEASON

The weather is now perfect for outdoor events such as offsite adoptions and dog walking. Thanks to our Outreach Coordinator, we had 11 adoptions at various events throughout the valley in November. These events not only place shelter pets into new families but also help spread community awareness of our available programs and services. 

Thanks to Four Paws and Friends, over 70 dogs were walked during a Saturday morning mutt strut. These group dog walks are a great way to provide much needed exercise for our pups and helps us learn a bit more about their personalities as we try to get them adopted.  

We are grateful for our partners, One Love Pit Bull Foundation and Community Canine Project for treating our shelter dogs to yet another wonderful Kongsgiving! Volunteers gathered at both our Durango and East shelter location to stuff and distribute Kongs for every dog! They mixed up a Thanksgiving-inspired filling that our shelter pups were very thankful to receive. 

FUR-EVER FAMILIES Adopting an older pet not only saves their life but also provides something wonderful - a comfortable, caring home to relax and enjoy their golden years. The Bissell Pet Foundation sponsored the adoptions of over 90 seniors during our November Senior Month special! All shelter pets 6 years and up had their adoption fees covered, including their spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchip, and a Maricopa County dog license. Thanks to our continued partnership with two local companies, Community Tire Pros and Auto Repair and Anthony’s Plumbing, we were able to surprise 40 adopters by sponsoring their adoption fees this month. For those who followed our “Help Get Bruno Home story”, we have a happy adoption tail! Though Bruno’s original owner never came forward, we are very happy to say the next best thing happened. The family who found Bruno in the park couldn’t stop thinking about him and came back to adopt him! Photo: Senior Juneau and Bruno with their new families.

HOLIDAY PET SAFETY - Keep the feast on the table—not under it.  - No pie or other desserts for your pooch.  - Yeast dough can cause problems for pets. - Put the trash away where your pets can’t find it.  - Be careful with decorative plants.  Visit AMA site for a the complete list and keep the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline number nearby: 888-426-4435

PET HELP COMMUNITY OUTREACH Our Pet Help program continues to help families in need with essential spay and neuter surgeries. This past month 29 pets were beneficiaries and even better, we were able to provide microchips for 27 of these pets that didn't have one already. This helps them reunite pets with their family if they're ever lost. Thank you so much to Fix Adopt Save and the Pulliam Trust for sponsoring this clinic event and Dr. Kelly’s Vet for providing the service - we couldn't do it without your help! Through our partnership with One Love Pit Bull Foundation Tag Me Home program, pet owners also received new collars and personalized tags. Learn more about Pet Help.

LOTS OF LOADS With almost 500 pets onsite daily, we accumulate hundreds of dirty linens and toys! At Durango, our washer and dryer were roughly 18 years old and in desperate need of replacement. Thanks to the hard work our dedicated management and Facilities team, we were able to renovate the laundry room with new paint and better equipment. Special thanks to our staff, volunteers, and groups who helped haul dirty laundry for cleaning while our machines were being replaced!

REUNITING FAMILIES Microchips help pets get back with their families, which is why we're so thankful for the organizations that make it possible for all our shelter pets to receive a microchip. The #LovePup Foundation sponsors microchips for all the pets we adopt to new homes, and Two Pups Wellness Fund, and Community Canine Project. sponsor microchips for all the dogs we're able to reunite with their families! Daisey and Shakira were two pups that were recently reunited with their loved ones and are now microchipped thanks to our donors.

SILVER PAWS SENIOR PET OF THE MONTH Big boy HARLEY A4589797 is a very sturdy love bug. If you have ever wanted a barrel-shaped teddy bear, than he is the dog for you. This senior boy is 90 pounds of solid wiggle material, and nothing gets his wiggles going like greeting new friends. He adores spending time with people of all ages and may even do well in a home with kids. His hobbies include showing off his favorite toys and wiggling his nubbin' tail. He seems to already be house trained, knows how to sit on cue, and will absolutely stop walking in his tracks if you give him back scratches. Harley’s adoption fee is only $25. He is already neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and ready to go home today! Visit pets.maricopa.gov to find more information about Harley and other shelter pets in need, - or stop by the shelter to say hello!

IT'S GIVING SEASON We're often asked what people can do to help, so here are some of the impactful ways you can support MCACC and our shelter pets this holiday season: Rescue a pet in need: Adopting at MCACC or through one of our rescue partners provides a loving home to the hundreds of homeless pets in our care. Offer a temporary home: If you can't commit to adoption, why not give fostering a try? Foster for us and open a kennel space for the next homeless pet in need, or foster for one of our partners to help them care for more animals! Give a little time: If you have a few spare hours each week, consider volunteering at our shelter! We rely on volunteers to help with laundry and cleaning, give exercise and attention to our shelter pets, and more! Kind offerings: Our shelter pets can always use donations of certain items, and we keep a list of what we (and our rescue partners!) need the most on our website. Spread the word: Even if you aren't able to adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate right now, there's still an important way for you to help - by advocating for our shelter pets! Encourage your friends and family to consider adoption for their next pet, let lawmakers know what changes you'd like to see to protect animals from harm, share posts from your favorite shelters and rescues, etc. There are almost endless ways to get involved and help the pets in our local community. Thank you so much for all you do to help make a difference!

SHELTER STATS

HOLIDAY HOPE

From December 6-20, the Bissell Pet Foundation will sponsor adoption fees for all shelter pets. Adopt and give a pet a home, not just for the holidays, but forever.

 “Shelters are overcrowded and in desperate need of support due to slowed adoption rates and increased length of stay for pets," said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “With so many people seeking to add pets to their family around this time of year, our ‘Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope’ event is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in your community by saving a life and creating space to give another homeless pet a chance.”

Upcoming Events and Holiday Hours

Open Christmas Eve 11:00 am-3:00 pm for adoptions only, Friday, December 24th.

Closed Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25th.

Open New Year's Eve 11:00 am-3:00 pm for all services, Thursday, December 31^st.

Closed New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1^st.

Regular hours of operation resume Sunday, January 2^nd.

Click each event below to view details.