Tucson Shelter Needs Temporary Foster Families For Dogs

TUCSON, AZ — The Pima Animal Care Center is looking for people who are willing to temporarily care for medium- and large-size dogs. As of Monday, the Tucson-base shelter had 417 dogs, which it said is beyond its capacity.

As the only open admission shelter in southern Arizona, PACC often operates at maximum capacity, but animal intake numbers skyrocket from June to August, leaving the shelter scrambling to find adequate housing, especially for older dogs that take up the most room.

“Many dogs share kennels with limited space to move around, staff open additional rooms to house animals in pop-up crates, and the explosive surplus of animals entering the facility every day becomes difficult for staff and volunteers to manage,” PACC said in a news release.

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PACC said fostering is good for many of the dogs, which typically roamed free before arriving at the shelter, where they live in kennels except for daily walks and “cuddling time.”

“The environment can cause them to become depressed and shutdown,” PACC said. “Fostering helps pets feel a sense or normality. Any time spent outside of the kennel helps them heal mentally, physically and emotionally. “

Temporary foster placements also free up space inside the shelter.

People who are interested in temporarily fostering dogs should visit the shelter, located at 4000 N. Silverball Road, during business hours — noon to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The shelter provides foster supplies, including food. PACC also offers counseling services to foster families that have pets manage dog introductions.

Fourth of July fireworks and thunder and other noises associated with summer monsoon storms can spook animals. PACC sys pet owners should keep their pets properly contained during stormy weather and have appropriate shelter from the summer heat.

“The safest way to ensure that your pets don’t run off is to bring them inside during thunder and rain,” PACC said. “And please remember to leash your pet!”

If your pet is missing, visit PACC’s lost and found page to file a report. If you’ve found your pet on the PACC website, note the animal ID number and call PACC at (520) 724-7222.

For information on how to foster a dog, go here.

Photo via Shutterstock / media_digital