Foster families needed to help over crowded animal shelters in Arizona

Its been longer than a decade since the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) has treated this many
sick, injured or abused pets.

The shelter, along with many others across Maricopa County is over-loaded with animals.
All of them are being treated at the AHS trauma hospital on the Sunnyslope campus in Phoenix.
ABC15 Morning's Kaley O'Kelley talked with Dr. Steve Hansen.

"We are generally not this full this time of the year and we are at full capacity, which is unusual for November."

He also tells ABC15 the facility has treated 22,000 sick, injured or abused animals this year alone.
"It's unprecedented. It will be the highest intake of any shelter in Maricopa County.
During COVID, we were asked to not do surgeries that were considered non essential.
So we believe that that we're seeing the direct impact of animals that were not sterilized."

Talking about the economy and inflation Dr. Hansen shared why housing costs are playing into the large number of animals ending up as owner surrenders.
"Because now when somebody is going to rent
there often is an additional non-refundable deposit and there's often a restriction in animal size so all that adds up to a very complicated scenario. People end up bringing their pets to us because they have no choice."


Dr. Hansen says, foster families play a huge role in helping animals get healthy.
They also make room for more to get help.
With Christmas coming Hansen says the rules are changing when it comes to giving pets as gifts.

"Recent research actually suggests that pets as gifts generally work really well. Because when somebody's adopting for a family member, they generally know what this person is looking for, or maybe what they had in the past. And we have a no fault adoption pet policy so if the adoption doesn't work, we're happy for you to bring the pet back. We can find another home."


Right now through the weekend, adoption fees are being waived at both Petsmart Scottsdale and South Mountain locations, for pets 1 year and older.



Arizona Humane Society
Sunnyslope Campus:
1311 W Hatcher Rd
Phoenix, AZ
85021

Phone: (602) 997-7585
email: azhumane.org


https://www.azhumane.org/adopt/