Our work is critically important to the animals in our care and the people who love them. We want you to know that Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is preparing for possible impacts from COVID-19 and is taking actions to ensure the protection, health and well-being of the animals in our care, as well as our staff, volunteers, and the community we serve.
As of now, our daily operations will continue as normal and as safely as possible, with an even greater awareness of following our strict protocols designed to limit disease transmission. Although the shelter is operating with normal business hours, some events (e.g. large adoptions) will be curtailed to ensure the public’s safety and limit large gatherings of people. We also ask people to limit their numbers to 10 or fewer in the Admissions or Adoptions lobbies. An updated list of our events is available on our website at calendar.
What can you do to help? The most immediate need is finding homes for our dogs - the shelters are at capacity. We are urging people to adopt a new family member who they can spend the time with while still practicing social distancing from the general public. If people can’t adopt, there are other ways to support MCACC and its work with homeless animals, such as long-term fostering and direct monetary donations. Because of the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, we cannot accept used items at this time. We can always use donations of pet food, treats and enrichment items, such as toys. Please visit our donation site at donate.
”Please help us get as many animals adopted as quickly as possible,” said Mary Martin, the shelter’s director. “Waiting a few weeks in a shelter isn’t good for any dog or for our staff. We need adopters more than ever.”
Now is the best time to adopt – it’s not only beneficial to have a pet in the home as a source of comfort but the companionship of pets has shown to reduce stress and lower anxiety.
The shelter is also working to make our facilities cleaner and safer for both pets and visitors, by focusing on frequent deep cleanings and offering visitors sanitizers and wipes. We ask that those who feel ill to stay at home and wait until they are well and symptom-free to visit the shelter.
As a reminder, both the CDC and the World Organization for Animal Health have issued advisories saying there is no evidence that companion animals can contract the virus, nor spread the virus and “there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare.”
Be a hero and adopt your new best friend today!