Collaboration Between Animal Organizations Aims to Save More Pets
In a significant move to support pet owners and reduce the number of animals entering shelters, two of Pima County’s largest animal organizations – the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) and The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) – are joining forces. This partnership is made possible by a $1.9 million grant from Maddie’s Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of companion animals.
The three-year grant will enable Friends of PACC and HSSA to work together more closely, with the goal of increasing access to affordable veterinary care for families in southern Arizona. By combining their resources, the organizations aim to stretch donor and taxpayer dollars further, ensuring that more pets receive the care they need.
Karen Hollish, Chief Development and Marketing Officer at HSSA, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. “We’re all working together to stretch our donor dollars and our taxpayer dollars the furthest they can go so we can help as many pets as possible,” she said. The funding will be used to expand veterinary services, behavior training programs, and community outreach initiatives.
One of the key objectives of the grant is to help families keep their pets. Through a joint pet support center, Friends of PACC and HSSA will provide essential veterinary care to pet owners, reducing the likelihood that families will have to make the difficult decision to surrender their animals.
“We believe that one of the best ways to support the human-animal bond is to keep families together,” Hollish explained. “This grant is all about giving pet families the resources they need to keep their pets in their homes and maintain those important relationships.”
Ttime Del Gaudio, a long-time animal foster parent, highlighted the financial challenges many pet owners face. “Vet care is expensive,” she said. “Providing for an animal can add up quickly, and a lot of people end up giving up their dogs because they can’t afford the costs.”
Under the terms of the grant, the HSSA will accept a certain number of pets from PACC each year. This arrangement is expected to help alleviate overcrowding at the shelter. According to HSSA, the collaboration aims to prevent 10,000 pets from entering the shelter system over the next three years.
Hollish hopes that this partnership will serve as a model for other shelters and communities across the country. “We’re really hoping that southern Arizona, Pima County, and Tucson can become a model that other shelters and communities emulate,” she said. “We want to create a place that supports pets and the people who love them.”
This initiative not only benefits animals but also strengthens the connection between humans and their pets. By providing accessible care and support, these organizations are taking meaningful steps toward a future where fewer animals are surrendered and more families can enjoy the companionship of their pets.
