From the desk of Kristen Hassen, Director of Animal Services at Pima Animal Care Center.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the way we care for vulnerable pets in Pima County. With an ongoing need to minimize human-to-human contact and keep our community safe and healthy, PACC has made many changes over the past three months to how we operate in order to help keep pets with their families, get lost animals home more quickly, and continue to help as many people as possible foster and adopt cats and dogs. Here is what is happening at PACC and some of the new things we’re doing to help better serve you and the animals you love during this challenging time.

What’s happening at PACC? Despite the huge outpouring of support from our community, we’re still taking in a lot of pets. So far this year, PACC has taken in more than 6,000 animals and we’re receiving anywhere between 25 and 50 new pets every day. We’re in the middle of the busy puppy and kitten season so that means we have lots of baby animals coming into our care. We are also getting a high number of animals who have been hit by cars or otherwise injured. Pets get loose when fences and gates are not secured so if you have a pet, make sure to check your fence perimeter and latches to ensure they are in good repair so your pet doesn’t get loose.

Can I safely adopt or foster a pet? Yes! PACC has remained opened throughout the COVID pandemic, but we’ve modified our operations to keep the community safe when they come to adopt or foster. All foster and adoption placements are done by appointment, and every visitor is escorted by a staff member. We are still doing dozens of adoptions every day and we need your help more than ever, so just visit the PACC website to learn how to get your new family member today!

Help for people who have been impacted by COVID. Sadly, many people in our community are facing financial challenges due to job loss or furloughs. Money is tight and no one should ever have to make a choice between feeding themselves and feeding their pets. For this reason, PACC has started regular food distributions, both at PACC and in the community. We’re working in partnership with Cody’s Friends Charity to make sure we get food out to the people and pets who need us the most. Check PACC’s website and visit codysfriends.org to learn how you can get food for your pets. This food is provided entirely through donations from GreaterGood.org and from people like you who donate to Friends of PACC. You can drop off pet food and other pet supplies in our donation bins stationed outside of PACC.

Medical support. Over the past several months, PACC and Friends of PACC have received numerous grants and donations which allow us to provide limited medical care for pets owned by people who have been impacted in any way from COVID. Thanks to these grants, our PACC vets are conducting routine medical exams, addressing minor medical issues, and providing referrals to low-cost veterinarians for more serious medical problems. Friends of PACC’s Keeping Families Together fund can help offset some of the costs of care at these low-cost vets. Our goal is to prevent people from having to give up or euthanize their pets just because they face financial barriers to getting them the care they need. Due to limited funding and vet time, these services are available on a case-by-case basis and people needing help should call the Pet Support Center at (520) 724-7222.

Crisis boarding. If you or someone you know has COVID and needs to be hospitalized but have nowhere for your pets to go, PACC can provide up to 30 days of pet boarding at no cost to care for your pets so you can get the medical care you need. For people who are facing housing loss or housing transition due to impacts of COVID, PACC offers limited boarding and boarding vouchers to help you keep your pets while you secure new housing. Our staff can also help people find affordable, pet-friendly housing. Call the Pet Support Center at 520-724-7222 to learn more about how we can offer short term care for your pets.

How can I help? Your donations are critically needed to help us continue to save more than 90% of the pets who come through our doors and to provide support for our community’s pet owners in need. Make a monetary gift to the Friends of PACC by clicking the button below and your gift will go to work saving lives right away.

Thank you!

Photos courtesy of Michael Kloth Photography.