The Arizona Humane Society is the state's largest nonprofit animal welfare and protection agency. It was founded in 1957 by a compassionate group of volunteers who recognized the need to end animal suffering in their community. Originally, their first shelter in the Sunnyslope area of North Phoenix focused solely on the adoption of unwanted or abandoned animals.

Soon after, ambulances began rescuing ill and injured strays, and the society began providing comprehensive humane education as well as low-cost spaying and neutering services for the community. They also began producing their own television show, Pets on Parade, starring adoptable pets from the shelter.

Recognizing the need for animals to have a voice among lawmakers, the Arizona Humane Society began lobbying for new and better laws, including outlawing dogfighting and cockfighting and elevating certain cases of animal cruelty from misdemeanor to class VI felony status.

The size and scope of the Arizona Humane Society has grown considerably over the years. In 1996, they established the Second Chance Animal Hospital™ to treat extremely ill or injured strays, and their foster care program provides temporary homes for thousands of sick, injured, newborn and homeless animals every year. Their mobile spay/neuter and animal wellness centers travel throughout the Southwest, caring for dogs and cats who most likely would not otherwise receive medical treatment.

Over the last decade, the Sunnyslope facility received a facelift and a new shelter location — the Nina Mason Pulliam Campus for Compassion — opened in May 2002. Since that time, the Arizona Humane Society has not euthanized a healthy, adoptable dog or cat because of lack of space, and they've enjoyed remarkable growth of their programs and services.

Visit the Arizona Humane Society Web site!