Animals face hard times at overcrowded shelter

Photos by Mitzi Brabb
Life is bittersweet for the dogs and cats at the battered Humane Society of Central Arizona.  They are safe and well cared for, but what they really need is a real home.

By Mitzi Brabb
Mogollon Connection Correspondent

Most of us have seen that torturous two-minute ASPCA commercial with sad faces of dogs and cats - abused, unwanted, and stuck behind bars. Accompanying the images is the melodious voice of Sarah McLachlan singing “Angel”; your heart tears and you cannot change the channel quickly enough.

For those brave enough to endure the commercial, it makes you want to embrace every one of those poor creatures and take home one of the millions of animals abandoned or mistreated every year across the country.

If you were to visit the Humane Society of Central Arizona (HSCAZ) in Payson, you may get that same desire to enrich a small life. In fact, the dedicated volunteers and employees at the shelter desperately hope you do, as they have recently experienced an overflow of homeless animals at the facility.

On average, the shelter houses approximately 70 dogs, puppies, cats and kittens at one time. Right now, the number is nearly twice that.

Lisa Boyle, Animal Care Supervisor, suspects that much of the problem has been brought on by the housing crisis.

“It’s typical of this time of year for us to have a full house, but this is more than usual,” said Boyle.

During the spring and summer, there is an influx of unwanted or stray puppies and kittens at the shelter, which is generally the reason it is fuller this time of year.

The Fourth of July holiday also brought in more dogs found wandering and lost after the fireworks show at Green Valley Park. The shelter received 11 calls from dog owners who had lost their pets over the holiday. Many were found and reunited with their owners, including a couple that were brought to the shelter, but there are still some that have not been claimed.

“It’s best to leave them at home in a safe place,” said Boyle, referring to the fireworks display. “It’s loud and frightening for the dogs. Ninety-nine percent of them will not enjoy it.”

But whatever the reasons for the recent spike in intake at the HSCAZ, it has put them and they animals they care for in a desperate situation. They now have the largest population of small dogs that they have ever had in the history of the shelter. The 68 dogs and 68 cats now living at the shelter are well cared for, but need permanent homes.

Since opening their doors 1972, the Payson facility has compassionately sheltered thousands of animals, averaging more than 1,400 per year, while putting down as few as possible.

But there are challenges. The existing building, which is breaking down and has inadequate utilities, has experienced several problems that prevented the housing of more animals, including having its roof blown off last winter.

The faltering economy has been another impediment to the efforts of the staff at the HSCAZ to build a better facility, which could host more animals, and improve their treatment and care.

In January 2009, ground was broken to build a new shelter, but the recession has resulted in a decrease in the donations needed to complete construction. It may be another 18 months before the animals have a better place to stay unless they are adopted out.

Diane Reid, fundraising advisor to the HSCAZ board of directors, said that the number of animals that a new shelter could accommodate would be significantly higher.

“The board is absolutely committed to getting something done soon,” said Reid. “We are all very optimistic.”

A new shelter would have more space for the animals to engage in play, go for walks, and receive training, socialization and medical attention.

On June 5, the HCSAZ hosted a sold out crowd of animal lovers at their “Country Wine, Jazz, Cheese and Chocolate Festival” held at La Cienega Ranch. The fundraiser generated over $100,000 to go toward the building project.

Aside from donating money to the HCSAZ, there are a number of ways a person can help to ease the overflow problem at the shelter.

Volunteers have noted that spending time with the animals can make a big difference in their daily lives. As a volunteer a person can walk dogs, brush cats, or just spend time with the animals.

But more importantly, homes need to be found for these 138 animals. If unable to commit to adoption, fostering may be an alternative to help a young, ill or special needs animal to become adoptable after a temporary foster home.

“We encourage fostering, especially for hard to place animals or animals that need socialization skills,” said Boyle. “These people need to be patient and understanding with them.”

On average, 11 million adoptable dogs and cats are needlessly euthanized every year nationally. On the ASPCA website, the organization President and CEO Ed Sayres states, "Homelessness is the number one risk factor for companion animals in the United States. These animals die for no other reason than the mere fact that they, for whatever reason, lack a home.”

For more information on volunteering, adoption or fostering an animal at the HSCAZ, visit their website at www.humanesocietycentralaz.org.

You can also drop by their facility located at 812 S. McLane Road. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.