Valley nonprofit keeps unsheltered owners and pets together

As homelessness continues to be an issue across Arizona, trying to keep pets and their owners together has become a challenging task.

BY ROXANNE DE LA ROSA

Apr 15, 2025, 8:00 PM Updated: Apr 16, 2025, 10:52 am

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PHOENIX — As homelessness continues to be an issue across Arizona, trying to keep pets and their unsheltered owners together has become a challenging task, according to animal advocates.

The Arizona Pet Project (AZPP) hopes to change that.

The group recently launched a subsidiary called the Arizona Coalition for People and Pets (ACPP), which provides assistance to pet owners facing homelessness.

The creation of the coalition was necessary to bring all services for pets and people under one roof.

How will Valley nonprofit keep unsheltered owners and pets together?

The coalition will bring together advocates, service providers and community leaders who are committed to keeping pets and their owners together. The group’s mission is to ensure that an unsheltered person doesn’t have to choose between basic needs, like food, shelter, healthcare and keeping their pets.

A 2024 study found that 84% of pet owners said their pets have a mostly positive impact on their mental health.

In 2023, AZPP received a grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office to expand services throughout the state. Additionally, in 2024 a partnership with UMOM New Day Centers, a nonprofit that helps homeless families, hosted onsite services at AZPP.

For 12 years, AZPP has worked with nonprofits, government agencies and state legislators. The need for services was beyond what the organization could handle alone, CEO Arizona Pet Project Leanna Taylor said in a press release.

“This coalition will extend the reach of our agency by engaging additional human and animal welfare organizations throughout our state to remove the barriers pet families face in accessing services and assistance in times of crisis,” Taylor said.