PIMA COUNTY, April 5, 2024—Pima Animal Care Center is asking for emergency fosters and adopters as staff face the highest number of dogs in the shelter in over a year.
“We have 555 dogs in our shelter today,” said Monica Dangler, PACC’s director of animal services. “This is an absolutely critical situation. If we are not able to reduce the number of dogs in our shelter immediately, we are in a position where we will have to consider deadlining for euthanasia healthy, adoptable dogs.”
To help more dogs find families, PACC is offering a $50 incentive to their on-campus Central Pet store. Anyone who adopts or commits to a two-week foster period for a dog 6 months or older will receive the credit, which can be used to purchase the individual’s choice of collars, leashes, harnesses, toys, food, bowls, and more.
Those interested in providing a foster or adoptive home for a needy dog should come to PACC during open hours. Dangler urges the public to remember that fostering any dog in the shelter for as short as two weeks can save a life. PACC’s Urgent Placement List details the dogs at risk of being placed on a deadline to be euthanized. It is available online and updated regularly.
If a public member finds a healthy stray animal, they must attempt to find the owner following the steps on PACC’s website to keep them with their families. Bringing a pet to PACC makes it statistically less likely that the pet will be returned to their family and will place that pet at risk of illness and euthanasia. Additionally, PACC’s Pet Support Center will be available via phone at (520) 724-7222 to assist those needing to find the homes of lost pets or resources for their pets.
Due to the shelter's volume of calls and urgency, PACC is prioritizing in-person adoptions so that non-emergency calls may be delayed. For specific questions about pets at PACC, adoptions, or fostering, community members should visit the shelter in person or the website. People can call the dispatch line at (520) 724-5900 for emergency-related calls and press 4.
All dogs and puppies are currently free to adopt. An adult dog license fee of $20 applies. PACC is located at 4000 N. Silverbell Road and is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday from 1:30 to 7 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To see all available pets and services, please visit pima.gov/animalcare.