HomeFeaturesAZ Giving › AZ Giving: Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s MASH Unit
 
 
 

 

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Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s MASH Unit is an animal shelter in the least likely place one might expect—a high-rise building in Downtown Phoenix.

A converted jail, complete with cells and the absence of windows, the MASH Unit has been up and running as a no-kill animal shelter since around 2001. Created as a haven for animals saved from neglectful and abusive homes and criminal cases, the MASH unit has a revolving number of dogs and cats that can range from 20 to 150 or more (in the case of the recent pug puppy mill bust in Tonopah, Arizona, as detailed in various news outlets). It has been credited with rescuing and providing loving new homes for thousands of needy animals since its inception.

There’s a problem, however. The MASH Unit is a no-kill shelter that isn’t easily accessible or even KNOWN about by the public, which results in animals falling through the cracks and spending their lifetime in a shelter.

Dogs like Rambo, a lab mix who was saved in 2007 from near-deathly starvation and abuse, has sat inside his MASH Unit cell, with a daily walk or two, for nearly a decade. A loving and sprightly boy of around 10 years old, Rambo enjoys going up onto the MASH Unit’s rooftop yard, playing with his ropes and other toys, and sitting by your feet to gaze lovingly up at you.

Other dogs in the MASH Unit shelter have been there for six and seven years, many of which started their lives as bait dogs in dog fighting rings (as is the case for Kane, a Dogo Argentino mix who has been in the MASH Unit for six years), and others who are being held in cases of bestiality and abuse, usually until their owner relinquishes them or a verdict is reached.

This facility, and these dogs, need your help. Rambo and others should be allowed to finish out the rest of their lives in loving homes with yards and sunlight, not a converted jail cell where they may not even be taken for a walk per day. Please consider adopting Rambo or another MASH Unit dog today, raising awareness about this facility, and donating money, towels, food or more.

What you should know about Rambo and the MASH Unit:

-Estimated 10 years old, Labrador mix

-Diagnosed with Valley Fever, an easily manageable and non-contagious fungal infection that is treated affordably with oral antifungal medication

-Has received regular vet checkups, teeth cleanings, and vaccines

-Dog-selective; he may or may not get along with a family’s current pets. The MASH Unit encourages and orchestrates dog introductions at their facility to ensure animals get along beforehand!

-Purchase by donation, recommended amount is $100 but this is flexible

-The MASH Unit will take Rambo back at ANY time if the adoption is no longer working out; even years later

Check out Rambo’s Facebook page for pictures, videos, and more adoption info

TO ADOPT RAMBO (or another MASH Unit dog), offer donations, and more:

Go to the MASH Unit’s website or call 602.876.1212.