Humane Society of Southern Arizona & Arizona Humane Society Receive American Rescue Plan Act Funding to Keep Pets and People Together PHOENIX, ARIZONA - Governor Doug Ducey visited the Arizona Humane Society’s (AHS) Sunnyslope Campus in Phoenix in honor of Arizona Gives Day. He was accompanied by Steve Farley, CEO of The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) and Dr. Steven Hansen, CEO of AHS. Arizona Gives Day is happening now through April 6th and you can support HSSA at www.hssaz.org/azgives (You can access B roll video and photos of the tour here.)
HSSA and AHS recently received funding from the Governor as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support pet owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The investment will expand HSSA’s and AHS' dedication to keeping pets and people together despite hardships they may face. This includes an expansion to programs for pet owners including affordable veterinary and pet wellness services, a critical need at a time when the country is facing a veterinary shortage. Together, the nonprofit organizations will be able to help more than 9,000 additional low-income pet owners.
For HSSA, these funds will be used to acquire and maintain life-saving clinic equipment and expand the number of pets served at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona's low-cost veterinary clinic as well as to provide necessary program support for HSSA's growing youth, adult, and pet educational classes, camps and services that will take place in the Freeman Education and Behavioral Center slated to open in Fall of 2022.
The ARPA funding will also support an expansion of AHS’ Project Home Away from Home program, a temporary Foster Hero program established as part of Pet Housing Help AZ to prevent pet surrenders due to loss of employment or housing instability caused by the pandemic. It is also designated for AHS’ emergency response efforts.
For those interested in taking part in Arizona Gives Day (April 5th and 6th) please donate at www.hssaz.org/azgives and join our community of animal advocates and partners across Arizona. To learn more about the Arizona Humane Society or Humane Society of Southern Arizona, please visit www.azhumane.org or www.hssaz.org, respectively.