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“Topping Out” Ceremony Marks Significant Milestone in Animal Welfare Campus

Written by: Arizona Humane Society
AHS’ Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus Set for Completion in Summer 2023

Today, the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) and Ryan Companies US, Inc. (Ryan), along with their subcontractors and AHS stakeholders, gathered for a “topping out” ceremony for AHS’ Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus, marking the completion of the steel construction phase of the $49 million animal welfare campus.

Back in November 2021, Ryan and AHS broke ground on the 72,000 square-foot state-of-the-art project that includes the Watts Family Medical Complex, Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital and Nina Mason Pulliam P.E.T. Center. In the coming months, Ryan’s team will be completing structural steel, and starting exterior and partition walls. Once that work is completed, the team will then focus on critical building systems including plumbing, electrical and mechanical. The project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2023.

“This milestone is a testament to the hard work our project team and partners have put forth in creating a state-of-the-art campus the Arizona Humane Society will be proud of,” said Chuck Carefoot, president of Ryan Companies Southwest region. “We look forward to completing this cutting-edge campus that will greatly benefit the animals in our community.”

“Planning for the Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus started seven years ago, and now, 11 months after groundbreaking, it is amazing to see the progress that has taken shape,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, president and CEO of Arizona Humane Society. “Building the animal welfare campus of the future requires highly-specialized processes and innovations. Ryan Companies has proven, time and time again, that their expertise makes them the perfect partners as we elevate the level of care for pets in our community.”

With stewardship being one of Ryan Companies core values, they selected AHS as its 2021 nonprofit project and credited back all project profits. Ryan’s Phoenix team is building the Arizona Humane Society Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus at cost, saving the organization more than $1 million.

To learn more about the Arizona Humane Society’s Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus, please visit azhumane.org/transform.

Papago Park Campus’ Impact

  • Treat 25% (thousands) more trauma patients in triage area
  • Potential to double the number of newborn kittens cared for in AHS’ Bottle Baby ICU
  • Increase spay/neuter by more than 100%
  • Treat 40% more underserved pets with veterinary services
  • Increase pet adoption/pet placement by 24%
October 24, 2022