Mary Richling
COVID and our stay-at-home status benefited our furry friends. Shelters all over the country emptied out as families welcomed new pets. Sadly, back to work, family upheavals, and lack of micro chipping and altering have resulted in shelters again bursting at the seams.
Our county shelter, Pinal County Animal Care and Control (PCACC), works hard to help animals in the shelter find their forever homes. Gratefully, animal rescues partner with PCACC. They ease shelter burdens, help socialize pets by fostering, and expand the locations where these dogs and cats can be adopted.
Rescues come in all shapes and sizes: national/local breed-specific rescues, local large/small dog rescues, cat hermitages, and hospice rescues for aged/sick pets. Most are run by volunteers. Many are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations eager for support from generous contributors. New volunteers are welcome to help foster, check references, and promote animals in need of adoption.
One of our local rescues is OARR (Oracle Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation). Founded by Julie Hall, Laurie Bryant, and Jane Redmann in 2019, their mission is to prevent dogs and cats from needing to go to PCACC. They sponsor free (to residents of the Copper Corridor) spay/neuter events four or five times a year and do TNR (trap, neuter, release) for community cats. They also take in puppies and kittens—strays and accidental litters—to get them fostered and adopted. OARR covers vaccines, microchips, spay/neuter, and other necessary vet and behavioral care before they adopt out an animal. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OracleARR.
How do I find a pet in need of adoption that will be a good fit? 24petconnect.com can be used from your computer or phone. By using ZIP Code 85194, you can see dogs and cats at PCACC available for adoption. Once you find an animal of interest, write down their Animal ID and name. Visit the shelter, call, or email for more information and arrange a meet & greet. The shelter is located at 1150 S. Eleven Mile Road in Casa Grande (next to the Pinal County Fairgrounds). The phone number is 520-509-3555. Their email address is animalrescue@pinal.gov. Shelter hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Looking for a specific breed? Do an Internet search for rescues for that breed. Tragically for the animals, breeding has become a commercial enterprise. Puppy mills are poorly regulated, often with deplorable conditions, and post beautiful websites touting adorable puppies and kittens. Most lack the health testing and important socialization that responsible breeders pride themselves on. Unsuspecting buyers spend thousands of dollars for a pet that is often saddled with health and behavior problems. Breed-specific rescues know their breed, closely vet their volunteers, and many stand behind the animal for the life of the pet.
This year PCACC saw more than 500 amazing examples of purebred dogs entering the shelter: golden retrievers, labradors, German shorthaired pointers, German shepherds, poodles, English bulldogs, Dobermans, rottweilers, schnauzers, huskies, and more! There are hundreds of pets in local shelters and rescues. Whether you find your new best friend in the shelter or a rescue, you are saving a life!