Arizona Animal Welfare League receives $40,000 grant to promote cat adoptions

PHOENIX — The Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL) received a $40,000 grant to promote cat adoptions, the state’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter announced on Thursday.

The grant was distributed by PetSmart Charities and will specifically fund the adoption program at the 24th Street and Baseline Road PetSmart location, where more than 200 cats have been adopted this year.

The funding will be used to pay for vaccinations as well as spay/neuter procedures prior to adoptions.

“Shelters across the U.S. are struggling to keep pace with the number of animals coming in and need support from their communities to bring pets and people together,” Heidi Marston, director of pet placement at PetSmart Charities, said in a press release.

“We’re proud to support AAWL and the essential work they do to care and advocate for the animals that come through their door in need of loving families. Please consider supporting their lifesaving work through volunteering, fostering, adopting, or by donating.”

In Maricopa County, cats are euthanized nearly twice as often as dogs. AAWL has assisted in saving the lives of more than 2,000 cats in 2024.

“As a nonprofit organization that is fully funded by the generosity of our community, we’re grateful for the support of PetSmart Charities,” AAWL CEO Alessandra Navidad said in a press release.

“In recent years, AAWL has seen an uptick in the number of pet surrender requests due to the rising cost of living in Arizona,” Navidad continued. “As a result, AAWL and other local shelters are often at full capacity. This grant will allow us to strengthen our presence in South Phoenix by engaging animal lovers there in making a difference by adopting homeless cats and helping curb the growing crisis of pet overpopulation.”

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