HALO's History
HALO (Helping Animals Live On) is a private, 501(c)(3),
non-profit organization founded in 1994 by two women, Michel
Herstam and Heather Allen, out of their homes in Phoenix, AZ.
HALO provides temporary shelter to abandoned cats and dogs until
they can be adopted into a permanent home.
HALO is a limited admission or "no-kill" facility that does not
accept animals from the public. HALO, believing that their strategy
serves the animals in greatest need, selects animals from the
euthanasia lists at "open admission" shelters in Maricopa County,
primarily Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.
In 2008, HALO transitioned from a completely foster-based
organization to an agency that utilizes both foster homes and a
physical adoption center. HALO's adoption center is a
3,000-square-foot building on a 1.75 acre parcel of land located at
Camelback and 35th Avenue in Phoenix, AZ. This location
was most-recently a cat adoption facility managed by Maricopa
County Animal Care and Control, though it was originally
constructed to be a Department of Motor Vehicle office.
Since HALO's inception in 1994, over 20,000 dogs and cats have
found a new home, with our adoption numbers growing every year! In
2009 alone, we adopted out 2,584 dogs and cats in to new homes,
giving them a second chance at happiness!