Back to News

3TV, 12 News, FOX 10, CBS 5, azcentral, & KTAR: 200+ Pets Rescued from Boarding Facility

Written by: Arizona Humane Society

News Highlights:

  • On Thursday, February 15, 2018, the Arizona Humane Society and the Phoenix Police Department removed more than 150 pets from Planet Petopia Doggie Dude Ranch. These were the remaining pets from the original 52 removed from the facility in late January, who were taken immediately due to their desperate need of immediate medical attention.
  • Planet Petopia is a boarding facility that had been used to house privately-owned pets and pets belonging to rescue groups.
  • Many pets were emaciated, had open wounds, tested positive for tick fever, and a range of other medical conditions.
  • At this time, AHS is asking the community to help us free up much-needed kennel space by adopting or fostering! Volunteers in all roles will be needed to continue to care for these pets and the others in our care, and monetary donations are always appreciated.
  • Individuals whose privately-owned pets were being boarded at this facility and are now in the care of AHS: Please call our Pet Resource Center at 602.997.7585 ext. 3800 to arrange an appointment to return your pet to you.
  • FEBRUARY 2021 UPDATE: More than three years later, justice has finally been served. The owner of the premise has been found guilty of animal hoarding, animal cruelty and neglect, and failure to provide adequate medical care, and was sentenced to:
    • Jailtime and probation
    • A mental health assessment, court ordered counseling and Animal Cruelty Education classes, which are critical to ensuring she gets important help and support
    • An order to not own, possess, keep, harbor, or maintain animals for the duration of her probation
    • Restitution paid to AHS

3TV

12 News

FOX 10

CBS 5

azcentral.com

164 animals seized from pet-boarding facility in Phoenix Adrian Marsh, The Arizona Republic | February 15, 2018
PHOENIX — Authorities have seized 164 animals from a Phoenix pet-boarding facility since January after an alert from the nearby Arizona Humane Society. Phoenix police Sgt. Alan Pfohl said dogs, cats and other animals were removed Thursday morning from Planet Petopia Doggie Dude Ranch and taken to another facility to receive an evaluation and medical care if needed. The owners, 49-year-old Barbaraann Whitley and 52-year-old Glen Whitley, were both arrested and booked on one count each of neglect, failure to provide medical care and hoarding, police said. Authorities had removed more than 50 animals from the facility near 13th Avenue and Hatcher Road last month alone. Pfohl said it was Arizona Humane Society employees working across the street who heard commotion and decided to pay Petopia a visit. Arizona Humane Society spokeswoman Bretta Nelson said Thursday that employees saw animals in dire need of medical care. Many had open wounds and were emaciated, she said. At that time, 49 animals were taken from the facility. "It's not uncommon to see this," Nelson said. "However, the sheer volume of animals we're dealing with. ... I've been with the organization seven years, and this is one of the larger cases I've seen."
Read Full Story

KTAR

More than 150 animals seized from Phoenix boarding facility Associated Press | February 15, 2018
[caption id="attachment_47070" align="alignleft" width="230"] Yelp photo[/caption] PHOENIX — Dozens of animals have been seized from a Phoenix pet boarding facility after an alert from the nearby Arizona Humane Society. Phoenix police say nearly 170 dogs, cats and other animals were removed Thursday morning from Planet Petopia Doggie Dude Ranch. They say the two owners of the business — a 52-year-old man and 49-year-old woman — have been jailed on suspicion of animal neglect, failure to provide medical care and hoarding.

February 18, 2021