PIMA COUNTY, (March 5, 2025) - Pima Animal Care Center, its nonprofit partner Friends of PACC, and the County Communications Office are partnering with local restaurant Rollies Mexican Patio on the next stage of its Spanish language campaign.
The campaign aims to decrease the number of dogs coming into PACC from targeted areas of town by increasing the number of animals being microchipped and getting free collars and tags, which makes them readily identifiable should they get lost. The campaign also aims to increase the number of people who adopt pets or choose to volunteer at PACC.
More specifically, the campaign is targeting five zip codes. The 85706 and 85713 zip codes, which have the largest imbalance in the number of pets coming into the shelter and the number of pets being adopted, fostered, or returned to their owners, was the focus of the County’s 2024 campaign, resulting in an increase of animals returned to their owners in these zip codes according to year-end PACC data. Outreach to those areas will continue, but the 2025 campaign also will focus on three additional zip codes: 85705, 85746 and 85756.
The County just concluded a very effective partnership with La Estrella Bakery, well-known for its pan dulce. As part of that partnership, the chain’s three bakeries each displayed educational materials about pet safety, lost and found information and gave free microchip coupons to patrons. La Estrella also donated 100% of the proceeds from the sale of bone-shaped cookies to Friends of PACC, an effort that raised nearly $12,000.
Beginning March 6, Rollies and its owner, Mateo Otero, will similarly donate proceeds from the sale of two different taco plates as part of the campaign, dubbed Buy Taquitos, Save Perritos. The nine-taco Great Dane sampler will sell for $24, with $4 benefiting Friends of PACC. A three-taco Chihuahua plate with fountain drink will sell for $12, with $2 going to PACC. Diners can purchase either one at Rollies flagship location, 4573 S. 12th Ave. Only the Chihuahua will be sold at Rollies’ MSA Annex location, 267 S. Avenida del Convento #4.
The first event kicking off the partnership with Rollies takes place Sunday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rollies’ South 12th Avenue location. The event will feature free collars, tags and leashes for dogs, adoptable pets from PACC, music, raffles and other giveaways.
Otero is enthusiastic about working with PACC to keep pets with their families.
"We are excited for the opportunity to partner with PACC to help bring togetherness in families and spread awareness in our community about the very important and helpful resources being offered to our beloved pets," he said.
PACC Director Steve Kozachik said the shelter’s ability to build and grow relationships through local businesses “is a perfect way to extend what we offer through PACC to residents. Tucson is about relationships, and relationships are about mutual support.
“Thanks to Rollies for partnering with us as we continue to grow our outreach," Kozachik continued. “With the support of our local businesses tied to PACC, our efforts have a greater prospect for success in the days and weeks ahead.
PACC and County Communications launched the Spanish-language campaign in November 2023 thanks to a $120,000 grant from Friends of PACC. The campaign has used language, idioms and graphics that resonate with Spanish-speakers. Census data from 2020 show that the targeted ZIP codes have a large number of Spanish-speaking households, which is why the County hopes to increase awareness of PACC’s services and resources among this community.