No-Kill Shelter to Partner with Animal Care & Control

HALO Animal Rescue begins a new collaboration with the help of PetSmart Charities®

Phoenix - In the world of animal shelters, no-kill rescues and large county shelters rarely get along, but Heather Allen, Executive Director of HALO Animal Rescue, sees no reason why it has to be that way.  "We're in the same boat.  No one wants these dogs and cats to be needlessly euthanized," she said.  "We've been working together with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control to find ways to eliminate this tragedy."

     In Maricopa County, nearly 50,000 shelter pets each year are euthanized.  The reason so many do not leave the shelters alive?  Many of the dogs and cats are simply sick, too young for adoption, or too timid and scared.  HALO, which stands for Helping Animals Live On, is devoted to saving these pets.  The non-profit organization rescues animals in danger of being euthanized and then finds them loving new homes.

It didn't take long for these rescued animals to fill HALO's shelter. Animals that were once days (or hours) from being euthanized filled kennels lining every available wall in every room of the small no-kill shelter.  Hearing of their plight, and recognizing the good work HALO was doing, Animal Care and Control stepped up to help.  Animal Control had extra room, and with the goal of reducing euthanasia they were willing to let HALO move into their west valley shelter.  HALO has now converted two underutilized parts of Animal Control's building into treatment spaces for dogs and cats.

"We figured, why build a whole new building when the shelter space is already there?" Allen pointed out.  HALO is now working to raise funds for animal care to keep the new space full and save as many animals as possible. 

     Much of the initial funding is being provided by a generous grant from PetSmart Charities®.  "By creating an innovative collaboration, HALO Animal Rescue is dedicating itself to solving the problem of homeless-pet overpopulation," said Susan Della Maddalena, vice president and executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc.  "PetSmart Charities is proud to support partnerships like these that make such a difference to the local community."

  When the new space is in full use, HALO expects to be able to save up to 1,900 additional animals each year.  And with the collaboration underway, HALO has already begun to see an increase in adoptions.

 The public is encouraged to adopt a shelter pet; if you cannot adopt, consider supporting HALO and the work they are doing to help save homeless dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.

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About HALO Animal Rescue: HALO Animal Rescue is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) no-kill animal rescue dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and finding new homes for homeless dogs and cats. HALO finds new homes for more than 2,500 animals each year, focusing on animals that are in danger of being euthanized.  For more information on adopting, donating, or volunteering, visit www.halorescue.org.

About PetSmart Charities®: Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal-welfare issues, and promote healthy relationships between people and pets.  The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $134 million in grants and programs benefitting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of more than 4.5 million pets through its in-store adoption program.  To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working towards its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS.