Poverty’s Pets Rescues Mistreated Dogs From Poor Areas Of Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ — Founded in 2006, the Phoenix-based Poverty’s Pets nonprofit has found homes for hundreds of abused, neglected and abandoned dogs from economically challenged areas in Central Phoenix. The organization also runs free spay/neuter clinics for low-income families and provides pet-care education in the community. Meanwhile, rescued canines stay at Poverty’s Pets foster house in northwest Phoenix, where a human tenant gets free room and board while caring for the dogs.

Board member Rachel Southard is quick to clarify that Poverty’s Pets isn’t an animal shelter and can’t accept pets surrendered by their owners. “We are getting a lot of requests from families wanting to submit an animal, but we can’t handle it all. It’s heartbreaking because we want to help every animal, but we provide a resource list to other organizations,” shares Southard.

Instead, Poverty’s Pets volunteers canvas rundown neighborhoods in Phoenix to rescue the mistreated and abandoned dogs they see. “The reality is that people from lower socio-economic [areas] don’t always understand the need for preventive care and treatment, food and water. Everyone views animals differently,” explains Southard. “To me, my animals are my kids. To others, they are an object or possession. People from lower-income neighborhoods might not even think, ‘Those fleas are hurting my dog.’”

Poverty’s Pets provides community education in local schools, bringing rescued dogs and showing and teaching appropriate ways to treat animals. Southard says the organization jumps on any opportunity to educate the community about the importance of treating animals like family members. A recent opportunity involved setting up a plastic pool and demonstrating how to give a dog a proper tick and flea removal bath.

Pet overpopulation is something else Poverty’s Pets focuses on. Last year the organization’s clinics spayed and neutered 550 animals, including low-income neighborhood residents’ animals, free of charge. (The clinics also help dogs in need of medication or basic medical attention, such as treating a hurt paw or fleas.)

Poverty’s Pets, which has adopted out more than 700 dogs, won’t do so until the dog has been spayed or neutered. “There is no way to rescue our way out of animal overpopulation,” emphasizes Southard, reiterating the philosophy stated on the organization’s website. The clinics also spay/neuter and treat cats, but Poverty’s Pets doesn’t house cats. “Dogs, you never know if they have a strong predatory drive, and [we] don’t want to put [cats] in danger,” she adds.

Once the dogs are rescued and given medical attention, they go to Poverty's Pets’ Columbus House in northwest Phoenix, the nonprofit's dog fostering house established in 2008. There, a carefully vetted, dog-loving tenant receives free room and board while playing a key role in fostering the rescue dogs residing in the renovated house.

“It’s a really unique concept. I’m a really big fan of it because it’s mutually beneficial,” says Southard. The human gets economic perks, while canines get to live in an actual home. Columbus House has one bedroom for the human, while the other bedrooms were renovated in a way conducive to the dogs’ care. The house also has several yards. “Some dogs need to be isolated until they get their bearings, or some dogs might not get along,” explains Southard, who adopted “the untouchable dog” 9 and a half years ago. The house – with an average of 8 to 10 dogs at a time – is fully furnished by Poverty’s Pets, as furniture does get damaged by the dogs’ wear and tear.

More than just a loving dog caretaker, “the tenant is a liaison between the community and the organization. They help screen potential adopters,” Southard explains. “We are very selective on the type of homes these dogs go to because we want to be sure the home is set up for success. We want to be sure it’s a good fit … for the dogs to find their forever homes.”

The tenant also helps set up personality profiles on the dogs. “You’re getting a fully vetted dog with a personality profile. We truly do know the animals in our care. Going to the shelter, the dog in the corner shaking could be a terror. You never know. Good with kids? You want to be sure,” says Southard. All Poverty’s Pets’ dogs are “absolutely healthy” before being put up for adoption, she adds.

Poverty’s Pets is fully funded by donations and grants, 100% of which go to the dogs. (All Poverty’s Pets staff members have paying jobs and receive no monetary compensation from the nonprofit.) A fundraiser is underway benefiting Poverty’s Pets: Every pint of house brew sold during August at HOP Central Brewing Co. and Taproom at 5055 W. Ray Road in Chandler earns Poverty’s Pups a $1 donation. Then on Aug. 24, Poverty’s Pets makes an appearance at the taproom and raffles off prizes.

Poverty's Pets also holds its own fundraisers, including its annual rummage sale in April and another fundraiser on Nov. 16. To donate, adopt a dog or volunteer, access their website at povertyspets.org.