PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA – Pima Animal Care Center is teaming up with local shelters and rescues to hold a County-wide adoption event at the locations of each participating rescue organization April 15-16.
Local shelters and rescues, like PACC, are experiencing unseasonably high census numbers. For example, PACC has been in Code Red or Code Orange since July 2021, meaning that the shelter is running out of places to put pets.
Monica Dangler, Director of Animal Services at Pima Animal Care Center, hopes to highlight that Pima County is full of pets in need of foster homes and/or adoptive homes.
“On any given day, PACC has around 600 pets at the shelter, along with 1,200 in foster care,” she said. “Plus, the shelter takes in anywhere from 50 to 100 pets every day. This doesn’t even include the number of people who are rehoming their pets. Pima County is full of pets that need homes.”
Among the groups participating:
- The Animal League of Green Valley April 15-16 1600 West Duval Mine Rd., Green Valley 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter and SanctuaryApril 15-16 5278 E. 21st St. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Humane Society of Southern Arizona April 15-16 635 W. Roger Road noon to 7 p.m.
- Southern Arizona Cat Rescue April 16 PetSmart at 4374 N. Oracle Rd. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Pima Animal Care Center April 15-16 4000 North Silverbell Road 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
People can stop by any of the locations to participate.
Thousands of pets will be up for adoption. The adoption prices and hours will vary at each location. The goal is to find homes for 400 pets over the weekend.
At PACC, all pets will have $0 adoption fees. A $20 licensing fee may apply to adopted dogs.
For the first time since COVID restrictions began in 2020, The Hermitage will be offering same-day adoptions, no appointments necessary, and walk-ins welcome. The Hermitage hopes that opening up the shelter will help open some hearts and get some feline friends adopted. Hermitage will have adoptions both days, April 16 and 17, 10 am-5pm.
On April 16, The Hermitage will be getting in the Easter spirit by hosting an “Adoption Eggstravaganza.” The event will feature games, activities, food, and an egg hunt for kids. Follow them on social media and visit www.hermitagecatshelter.org for more info about the event. Fill out the adoption application now to get preapproved and be entered to win a prize.
Summertime is the busiest time of the year for shelters and rescues across southern Arizona. There are a number of reasons for this. Pets are breeding more during the warmer months. More pets tend to escape while their families are on summer vacation. Plus, some locations, like PACC, are managing cases involving overwhelmed caregivers and hoarders.
People who want to help but cannot adopt or foster pets can make donations to the participating locations via their websites or in person. Financial donations always go further, but area shelters and rescues could also use pet food, toys, treats, blankets, towels, and other pet care items.Pictured: Meatball A763741