Imagine turning your back on 121 animals each day. We certainly can’t. We certainly won’t.
As the state’s largest non-profit animal welfare and protection agency, the Arizona Humane Society takes in an average of 121 animals each day, and over 44,000 animals per year. The task of caring for tens of thousands of animals is monumental because AHS is not just about adopting homeless animals, it is about safeguarding, sheltering, healing and advocating for animals in need. Whether it is through our Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ (EAMTs™) rescuing sick and injured animals off of Valley streets and AHS’ veterinarians nursing them back to health in our Second Chance Animal Hospital™ and isolation ward or completing over 100 spay and neuter surgeries daily, AHS’ role within the Valley is one of necessity, not only for pets, but also the people in their lives.
Yet, over half a century after first opening our doors, the state of animal welfare in our community is one of severe pet overpopulation. Only second to LA County in pet overpopulation, Arizona will soon surpass LA if action isn’t taken. While the joy that pets bring to our lives is indescribable, so too is the despair we see as these animals, many of whom are sick, injured or malnourished, try to survive on our streets simply because there just aren’t enough homes for them.
As a leader within animal welfare, AHS can not stand idly by watching these numbers escalate year after year. Instead we are taking action and encouraging the community to join us. As such, AHS is deeply committed to tackling pet overpopulation at the source and has created many programs on that premise, such as the Spay Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP), One Spay at a Time and Circle of Friends, a unique program comprised of a dedicated group of donors committed to raising funds specifically for spay/neuter initiatives.
As those initiatives continue, AHS is also in the midst of its summer community engagement initiative, Project 121: Action for Animals. Project 121 was created to help support AHS’ everyday services and programs dedicated to the over 44,000 animals AHS takes in each year. Just as their survival hinges upon the community’s continued support so to does the survival of AHS as an organization. As a non-profit, AHS relies solely on private donations and receives no federal or state funding; often a constant reminder during the summer months when space and resources become extremely limited.
AHS invites you to join us in Project 121: Action for Animals where you can help make a difference in the life of a homeless animal while also helping AHS increase the number of spay and neuter surgeries performed in our fight against pet overpopulation. You can do so by becoming a team captain at project121.org or by shopping at any AJ’s Fine Foods July 8th – September 1st and donating to AHS at checkout. Tune in to AHS’ 13th Annual Telethon brought to you by 3TV on Saturday, August 27th, 2011 at 12:30 p.m. for the amazing results.
