PACC at urgent census level, asking for public's help

PIMA COUNTY, Nov. 13, 2025 – Pima Animal Care Center is asking for the public’s help in easing dangerous census levels at the shelter. As of Nov. 13, there are 593 dogs in PACC’s care at the location on Silverbell. The high census is forcing staff to place dogs into temporary pop-up kennels and house two or more dogs in a kennel. 

PACC Director Steve Kozachik said this high number of dogs can create safety concerns for staff, volunteers and the animals in the care of the shelter. 

“Simply put, we are out of room,” Kozachik said. “Virtually every kennel at PACC is currently housing two dogs. That is a safety issue for our staff and volunteers, and it is not fair to the animals.” 

The biggest way the public can help the shelter during this time is to hang onto healthy, friendly stray pets and help look for their owners. Around 70 percent of PACC’s annual intake are stray dogs who likely have homes. Many of these dogs are housetrained, know tricks, and sometimes have microchips but the information is not up to date. 

If a member of the public finds a friendly, healthy stray dog during this time, they are encouraged to: 

• Check for a tag with a phone number. 

• Hang onto the pet to try and find the owner. (Statistics show that stray pets are usually found within a mile of their homes).  

• Put up flyers in the area where the dog was found. 

• Talk to neighbors and see if anyone recognizes the dog. 

“We continue to urge members of the public to rely on neighborhood list serves, Next Door, Petco Love Lost and other social media forms to locate the owner of strays,” Kozachik said. “Take happy, healthy strays to your local veterinarian, and they can scan it for a microchip. They do not belong in a shelter.” 

Kozachik also asked the public to help reduce the census at PACC.  

“If you have been considering adopting or fostering a dog, there is no better time than now. We clearly have plenty to choose from, and each of them would love a home outside of the shelter,” Kozachik said. 

Other areas where PACC is working to reduce census: 

• Intake staff is prioritizing emergency cases over found healthy strays. Emergency cases involve dogs that are sick, injured, aggressive or have been involved in a bite or attack. PACC will continue to take in strays, but will encourage the public to exhaust efforts to find their owners first.  

• Staff have made a list of large dogs with detailed descriptions from staff and volunteers to help adopters and fosters quickly find a dog that would adjust well to their home. 

• Friends of PACC, the shelter’s nonprofit partner, is offering $5 a day for anyone willing to foster a dog weighing 40 pounds or more. Fosters must agree to care for the dog for up to two weeks, adding up to $70 right before the holidays! This offer will end on Wednesday, Nov. 26. 

• Staff are also calling people who have recently turned over a stray dog to the shelter whose owner has not been found and asking them to consider fostering the dog.  

• The Pet Support Team is working with folks who are considering surrendering their pet to determine if PACC can provide resources such as food or medical care to keep the pet with the owner. Depending on the need, Friends of PACC might be able to cover some of the asks like pet food, vaccinations, or microchips. 

• PACC also will post on its website and on Facebook a list of 20 dogs who are at risk of euthanasia if they do not find a home soon. The dogs on this list have been identified as dogs that require more resources to be able to place in an appropriate home. They are selected based on medical notes, behavior notes, length of stay, and other criteria. Find more information on the FAQ's for PACC's Urgent Dog Placement List.  

More ways the public can help: share posts on social media and talk with friends and family who might be considering adopting a large dog.  

All dogs at PACC currently have no adoption fees. Adopters only need to pay a $20 licensing fee to adopt a dog. For people who cannot foster or adopt, donations to Friends of PACC also go a long way. Donations can be made on the Friends of PACC website.  

PACC’s Hours of Operation: 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - Noon to 6:30 p.m. 

Wednesday - 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. 

Saturday and Sunday - 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.