Paw Placement of Northern Arizona (PPNAZ) has announced their "Pets for Life" program, their latest initiative in the effort to make Flagstaff a safer city for companion animals. In order to reduce the numbers of healthy animals euthanized each year, PPNAZ is focusing its efforts on owner retention and surrender prevention. To help facilitate this, a new resource will be available soon to help pet owners care for their animals instead of surrendering them to the shelter.
The "Pets Are Welcome" brochure is filled with information for pet owners about vets, licensing, pet adoption, supplies, and pet health and safety tips. Copies will be distributed through real estate offices, rental management companies, veterinarians, pet supply stores and at public events.
Pet Food Bank
Coconino Humane Association's Pet Food Bank provides pet food as a temporary resource to eligible Coconino County residents to supplement their pet's food supply. Food is donated by Purina and distributed on the third Saturday of the month by volunteers at the Coconino Humane Association. For an application to receive food, please call 526-1076.
Volunteers are needed to help distribute the food from 12 to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. To volunteer, contact Sarah Farris at sarah.farris@deckers.com.
Don't Wait: Vaccinate!
An outbreak of the Feline Calici virus has hit Flagstaff's cats and kittens hard these last few months and most of the youngest victims didn’t survive. This virus can be compared to a severe flu in humans and is preventable with appropriate vaccinations. There are low cost clinics each month at Petco, PetSmart and The Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic. The minor expense is worth your peace of mind not to see your pet suffer!
Volunteer Spotlight
Much of the day-to-day life-saving work in the animal rescue field is done by volunteers. These dedicated individuals donate their time to help save as many animals as possible. They do this by fostering animals in their homes, working at adoption events, educating citizens about responsible pet ownership and spending countless hours at the various shelters caring for the animals on site. Here is one volunteer's story:
"I've been volunteering at the Adoption Center at PetSmart for the last several years helping The Ark Cat Sanctuary and Coconino Humane Association place their animals into new homes. It is so rewarding to help animals who had been homeless find their new homes and I love helping people find their new best friend whether it's a cat, kitten, dog or puppy. Many times the new families will return to share pictures and stories about their new 'fur-babies.'
"Two years ago, I was asked by The Ark to foster a small weak kitten that had been turned in to the shelter. They weren't sure she'd make it but I took this tiny creature into my home and named her Tabitha. Thus began my journey into fostering.
"Fostering can be fun but it also can be heartbreaking because we lose some who are too little to make it without a mom.
"I take pride in my fosters and love them as if they were my own until they're ready to be spayed or neutered and put up for adoption.
"One of my most memorable fosters was Rosalina. When she came into the shelter, she was scared, pregnant, and was just an 8-month-old kitten herself. The Ark took her in but unfortunately none of her kittens survived. I fostered Rosalina and shared her story on Facebook. When she was well enough, I brought her into PetSmart where she was adopted by a woman who had been following her story on Facebook. If we hadn't stepped in and taken her into foster care her outcome would not have been good.
"Flagstaff has a lot of cat and dog lovers and I always encourage everyone to help where they can. If you love animals, please help these abandoned creatures who need someone to look out for them. You can help by fostering, adopting or donating food, supplies or money. The joy you get in return is priceless."
