August 19, 2010


AMID UNPRECEDENTED CAT CRISIS, ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY ANNOUNCES MOST CAT-FRIENDLY CITIES IN AZ


( PHOENIX) – A record-breaking 33,395 animals have been surrendered to the Arizona Humane Society so far this year. More than 120 cats every single day. 15 during every business hour. It’s a rate that surpassed all of last year in just nine months. It begs the question, “Where do these pets wind up?”

Amid the worst overpopulation and adoption crisis in AHS history, some cities have stepped up adoption efforts and given scores of cats and kittens forever homes. Others cities have not.

Arizona’s largest, nonprofit animal welfare agency has debuted its Most Cat-Friendly Cities List based on 2010 adoption statistics. Consider this:

· Goodyear is the most Cat-Friendly City, with more than 119 cats
  adopted in the zip code 85338 alone.

· North Phoenix took second place, with 110 cats adopted by residents of
  the 85022 area

· Glendale took third with 104 cats adopted with 85308.

· Tempe took fourth with 93 cats adopted.

· Overall, the West Valley is far more cat friendly than the East Valley,
  with the Westside cities of Goodyear, Glendale and Peoria earning
  places on the top 10 list. Only Tempe represented the East Valley on
  the list.

 
Per capita, Goodyear, Glendale and Peoria took top spots.

“We urgently need adopters from all across the Valley to step up and help us save these precious feline lives, as we are desperate to get them into good, loving homes,” said Shannon Valenzuela, director of shelter operations.

Through the end of August, Tuxedo Tuesdays (1/2 price adoption fees on black and white kitties) and Frisky Fridays (1/2 price adoption fees on any feline adoption) remain in effect.

To adopt a cat or kitten, please visit either AHS’s Sunnyslope Facility (9226 North 13th Avenue, Phoenix) or Campus for Compassion (1521 West Dobbins Road, Phoenix) anytime from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The organization also has offsite adoption locations in PetSmart stores throughout the valley and its Petique location in Biltmore Fashion Park. For locations and hours, please visit www.azhumane.org.


About Arizona Humane Society
Founded in 1957, the Arizona Humane Society is the state’s largest nonprofit animal welfare and protection agency. The mission of AHS is to improve the lives of animals, alleviate their suffering, and elevate their status in society.

Contacts
Kimberly Searles, Communication Manager
Kelsea Vescova, Director of Marketing and Development