The Arizona Pet Project
We’ve Been Making History Since 2001!
2001
Founded
Founded as “Friends of Animal Care and Control” to raise money to support Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC).
2006
Pivot to Spay & Neuter
Moved from internal shelter focus to external shelter prevention via our spay and neuter assistance program.
2012
Decrease in Euthanasia
Thanks to prevention programs like ours, Euthanasia decreases Valley-wide by 71%.
2015
Focus on Shelter Intervention
Moved to a full-service shelter-prevention model.
2016
Decrease in Shelter Intake
Funded more than 100,000 surgeries, helping to decrease shelter intake from 105,000 to 49,000.
2017
Rebrand: The Arizona Pet Project
Launched new name and logo under “The Arizona Pet Project” to better represent our community, mission, and values.
Took over free spay and neuter, replacing SNAP voucher program with direct funding and management of mobile clinics to provide 4,700 free surgeries in 2017.
Implemented the S.I.T. Stay Shelter Intervention program at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control. Provided resources and referrals to over 3,500 families seeking services in the community. We have kept over 700 pets with their families and out of the shelter, saving Maricopa County Animal Care & Control an estimated $700,000.00.
2021
Opened the Community’s First Pet Support Center in South Phoenix
The Arizona Pet Project Resource Center opens and brings together access to all of our resources, including 1:1 counseling with our social workers, spay & neuter, vaccines, emergency veterinary care, temporary boarding, pet deposits, and rent assistance, as well as referrals for agencies to care for their human-related needs.
Families also have access to information on pet ownership, adoption, how to find lost pets, and supplies like pet food, collars, and leashes!
2023
Began Statewide Expansion
The Arizona Pet Project expands services to Tucson and is working to serve more people and pets through a planned statewide expansion to address housing insecurity and homelessness. This initial Statewide expansion has been made possible through an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the Governor’s office.