FLORENCE, AZ – Monday, June 11 marked a national effort to reduce or eliminate animal euthanasia. Pinal County Animal Care & Control signed on to support the event with multiple events during a 12-hour Open House event.
The shelter facility opened at 8:00 AM and planned to stay open until 8:00 PM. Shelter workers were surprised and happy to still be finalizing adoption paperwork at 8:15 PM for the 25th animal adopted that day. There were 23 dogs and two cats that found new homes as a result of the Just One Day open house. The enthusiasm carried over to Tuesday when five more animals were adopted.
Aside from the adoptions, Animal Care & Control assisted with:
- 22 dogs receiving free spay/neuter surgery
- 5 cats receiving free spay/neuter surgery
- 43 animals received microchips
- 40 animals were vaccinated for rabies
- 15 animals received parvo/distemper vaccines
Animal Care & Control employees offered tours of the facility. A local pet groomer was inspired to offer services later in the day and another person brought over donated brownies and desserts for the public and staff.
Several animal rescue organizations were on premises to share information about their programs. Pinal County Animal Care & Control has drastically cut the euthanasia rate through relationships it has formed with the animal rescue community. When euthanasia is required, it is generally only the really sick, injured, frail/elderly, feral or aggressive animals that are euthanized.
“It was a strenuous 12-hour day but so exhilarating to get the community’s support, show them what we do and let them see all the great animals we have for adoption,” said Animal Care & Control Director Kaye Dickson. “It was so successful that we are planning to have open house events like this semi-annually.”
Pinal County Animal Care & Control is located at 1150 South Eleven Mile Corner Road. Normal office hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays and from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays.