Paradise Valley Lifestyle: AHS Provides Care and Compassion for Vulnerable Pets

The Arizona Humane Society has spent more than 60 years working to provide a good life for pets across the Valley through medical services, foster and adoption services, behavioral programs and disaster relief.

“The Arizona Humane Society’s role in the Valley is caring for the most vulnerable homeless pets—those who are sick, injured and abused,” AHS spokesperson Bretta Nelson says.

Starting as a small shelter run by a group of volunteers, AHS has grown into the largest welfare and animal protection agency in the state, according to the organization’s website.

AHS is also Arizona’s designated first responder for animals in distress and danger during natural disasters. Volunteers help set up temporary animal shelters in disaster areas, and trained emergency animal technicians apply their training to save the lives of injured animals.

“[The shelters] give people peace of mind in knowing that when they evacuate, they will have a safe place for their pets until they are able to return home,” Bretta says.

Bretta says a common misconception about the organization is that AHS is affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States and receives funding through them. AHS is an entirely Arizona-based nonprofit organization that can continue to provide programs and services through private funding and community volunteers. Another misconception AHS has faced is that there is a time limit on the services they will provide for a vulnerable pet.

“AHS follows an ethical no-kill philosophy, meaning we never euthanize a pet for space or length of time [spent at AHS],” Bretta explains.

Not all pets come to AHS already homeless, and for pet owners who are facing hardships, AHS has implemented a program to keep pets in the loving homes they already know.

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