Pima Animal Care Center Issues Emergency Call for Adopters

Pima Animal Care Center has taken in 674 pets in the last seven days and needs adopters and short-term fosters to make room for incoming pets. Adoption fees for adult pets have been waived for the month of May. 

There is a $20 licensing fee per adopted dog that cannot be waived. Kittens and puppies will still cost $50 each. The shelter is also waiving reclaim fees for owners whose pets get lost and wind up in PACC’s care.

“As soon as we get one animal out, three more come in its place,” said Monica Dangler, interim director of animal services. “We just need to clear out some kennels in order to keep up with what’s happening right now.”

A variety of factors is leading to this increase in shelter pets. People are falling on hard times due to the pandemic and have to make difficult decisions; the Animal Protection Services team is working several cases with overwhelmed caregivers; pets are coming in with contagious illnesses like parvovirus and distemper and bringing in litters of stray kittens and puppies without their mothers.

PACC is also reminding the public to not panic when they see kittens. Most likely, they are not abandoned and mom is nearby. The agency wants the public to remember that moms take several breaks throughout the day to hunt and feed, so they can feed their babies. Without their mothers, kittens and puppies have an increased chance of dying.

“Right now, we have around 40 pets in our parvo ward,” Dangler said. “And the kittens just keep coming, litter by litter. We need folks who can help these pets get out of the stressful shelter so that they can relax and get better.”

PACC is open Monday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, go to pima.gov/animalcare or pima.gov/foster.