Free adoption event scheduled as record pet intake puts pressure on Arizona Humane Society

The Arizona Humane Society has already cared for more than 15,600 sick, injured or abused pets this year, and the organization needs the community’s help as the summer surge continues.

The animal welfare organization has already seen a 10% increase in pets cared for from 2025 and is on track for its highest intake in more than a decade (over 28,000), according to a news release.

The Arizona Humane Society currently has almost 1,000 pets at its shelter and another 900 in Foster Hero homes.

With a record number of pets in the shelter’s care, the organization will host a one-day event on Saturday at all three locations with free adoptions for all pets from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“For three consecutive years, pet intake has increased by more than 10 percent annually, and we’re now on track to care for nearly 28,000 pets in 2026, the highest number in more than a decade,” Dr. Steven Hansen, Arizona Humane Society president and CEO, said in the release. “While our community has stepped up in incredible ways to support these pets, demand continues to grow faster than ever.

“This is an urgent plea to our community to help us save even more vulnerable pets by adopting, fostering or volunteering.”

If you’re not in a position to adopt, the Arizona Humane Society is also asking for foster homes and volunteers to help create lifesaving space and help care for the animals at the shelters.

The continued population growth, rising housing costs, limited access to affordable veterinary care and ongoing economic pressures in Arizona are bringing more and more pets to the shelter.

Every adoption opens up a new bed for a new pet, and the Fourth of July holiday, along with heat emergencies, have the Arizona Humane Society expecting more pet intakes during the busiest and most challenging time of the year.

In an effort to help the community, the animal welfare organization recently opened an after-hours urgent pet clinic, expanded hours at its Sunnyslope Veterinary Clinic and is providing advanced medical and behavioral care to homeless pets.

Here’s a look at some of the mid-year stats from the Arizona Humane Society, per the release.

• 19% increase in pets treated in Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital year-over-year.

• 800-1,000 pets consistently being cared for in temporary foster homes.

• 1,400 orphaned, underaged kittens and puppies cared for in Bottle Baby ICU & Kitten Nursery.

• 11,000 spay/neuter surgeries performed by Arizona Humane Society veterinarians so far this year.

• Animal Rescue & Cruelty Team has received 10,700 calls about pets in distress, including almost 100 hoarding cases that have resulted in 1,400 pets surrendered to the Arizona Humane Society.

“These are records we wish we weren’t breaking,” Dr. Hansen said in the release. “But with the support of our community, we can continue providing lifesaving care while creating the space needed for the pets still waiting for help.”

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