Last month, The Arizona Pet Project sent two staff members to Prescott to meet service providers, raise awareness of our services available for low-income families and those in crisis with pets, and learn about the challenges facing Yavapai County and the ways their community and organizations come together to support each other. 

The Arizona Pet Project Visits Prescott

Over two days, among the changing leaves and historic buildings, two of our staff members visited several departments in the Veterans Administration and learned about the large population of veterans in the region, including many experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The dedication of the folks at the Northern Arizona Veterans Health Care System (NAVHCS) was palpable as they shared the details of their work, including the various ways pets present barriers to their clients’ ability to access care. 

Additionally, The Arizona Pet Project staffers visited Catholic Charities, Nation’s Finest, the Coalition for Compassion and Justice, and then concluded our visit with a presentation to the region’s Coordinated Entry Committee. 

The invaluable trips to Prescott have granted us crucial insights into the similarities and differences among cities and counties across Arizona, revealing a consistent need for the services we offer through The Arizona Pet Project.  

Expanding Pet Services Statewide

We are deeply grateful to the Governor’s Office for grant funding which enables us to expand our services beyond Maricopa County and reach all corners of our beautiful state! In addition to traveling to Prescott, our team has met with community providers in Flagstaff and Tucson and has expanded The Arizona Pet Project’s services into Southern Arizona with a social worker placed in Tucson.

Thanks to the Governor’s office grant and our team’s tireless efforts to continue expanding our services, more families with pets facing housing insecurity or homelessness now have access to transformative relief through an American Rescue Plan Act grant!

In order to ensure the longevity of our efforts beyond September 30, 2024, it is crucial for us to garner the collective support of our community. We are confident our fellow community members, supporters within the animal welfare space, and our compassionate donors, will stand with us in our ongoing mission to reduce the number of pets entering Arizona shelters by providing the resources needed to keep pets and their families together. 

Here at The Arizona Pet Project, we are passionate about fostering an environment of respect and care for our furry friends and their families. We envision a safer and healthier Arizona for all people and pets! Furthermore, we recognize the importance of providing resources, education, and support to help keep everyone and their pet together. That is why we strive to reshape our community’s services so that Arizona’s pet families are uplifted, and pets are cherished and provided for just like any other member of the family!