Maricopa County leaders form nonprofit group to support shelter pets

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors recently voted to increase fundings to its animal care and control donation pool and form a nonprofit to support pets in shelters.

The board on Wednesday approved the fund will increase in capacity to upwards of $350,000 so the nonprofit, called The Friends of Animal Care and Control, can get off the ground. It seeks to ease “the pressure on public resources” in aiding its animal care agency, according to a Wednesday press release.

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) over the past eight years has helped more than 90% of its pets find forever homes.

“I want to build a community where every dog has a home,” District 2 Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Thomas Galvin said. “Providing a funding source for county animal shelters beyond what’s allocated in the general fund not only enables better care for animals in need, but it also saves taxpayer money. It’s a win-win for both our two-and four-legged residents.”

According to MCACC director Debbie McKnight, the new nonprofit will have the one goal of “funding programs and services that directly or indirectly serve the homeless pet population.”

One of the key services that MCACC provides is the Everyday Adoption Center, which opened in March and is located in the PetSmart in Old Town Scottsdale.

The center houses more than 40 dogs and reached the milestone of 1,000 adoptions in November.

“While we are able to accept donations currently, The Friends of Animal Care and Control will allow MCACC to work more closely with donors, and it will provide opportunities for grants that are only available to non-profits,” McKnight added.

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