Heidi's Village To Save At-Risk Phoenix Animals From Euthanaisa

PHOENIX, AZ — Some cats and dogs in Maricopa County have little hope of ever finding a forever home. Heidi’s Village, a new $22 million shelter planned in Phoenix, will provide a safe haven for them when it opens in mid-2020.

Phoenix and Maricopa County have multiple shelters, but when they’re full, pets that are deemed unadoptable are sometimes euthanized. Heidi’ Village aims to change that by working with existing animal welfare groups in Maricopa County.

The most at-risk animals are pit bulls, chihuahuas and cats, according to the nonprofit group’s website. When the shelter opens, its staff also intends to provide behavioral and medical intervention to pet owners to keep animals out of shelters.

It will be large enough to comfortably house up to 265 dogs and 200 cats.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the shelter will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday at 600 N. 40th St. Because a large crowd is expected, reservations are requested.

When existing shelters are bulging, Heidi’s Village will step in, Ellen Clark, the non-profit’s executive director, told news station KTAR

“Sometimes there are very adoptable animals at the county facility, but unfortunately there aren’t fosters or there aren’t groups that can take animals, so what Heidi’s Village is going to do is we’re going to provide temporary boarding for animals until some of the rescue groups can find fosters,” Clark said.

Boarding animals for other shelters will be the top priority for Heidi’s Village, but the nonprofit hopes to eventually offer an infirmary where abandoned kittens can be nursed and made ready for adoption, dog adoptions, and grooming and veterinary care for rescue groups and the public.

Virginia Jontes acquired the land for the shelter for $3.1 million in November 2017 and donated it through a foundation to honor her rescue dog named Heidi, the Phoenix Business Journal reported.

Architect David Fulk of Cawley Architects told the Phoenix Business Journal that Heidi’s Village will have nine buildings totaling 40,000 square feet and will include outdoor play areas, a bone-shaped splash pool and staggered kennels.