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Be part of a team that is helping pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1971, the Arizona Animal Welfare League is the largest and oldest no-kill shelter in the state of Arizona. Starting as a small sanctuary for homeless animals, we have grown over the past 53 years to become a statewide animal welfare organization providing a full range of community services from adoptions and behavioral assessments to community education and low-cost veterinary services.

With triple digits upon us, everyday seems like a great day to spend by the water with your dog and keeping cool. All of us know we must be mindful of our kids when they are around water, especially if we have a pool in our backyard, but did you know our pets can be at risk too?

If you have a backyard pool or want to take your dog out to the lake, here are some important water safety tips to ensure you keep your pets safe in and around water this summer.

Never Leave Your Dog Alone in Water

Most dogs need regular exercise, no matter how big or small they are, but did you know that mental exercise can be just as good for them as physical exercise? Especially, during the long summer months here in Arizona. Here are some tips to keep your pup burn some of their energy if you don't have time to take them for a walk!

The first few days in your home are special and critical for a pet. Your new dog will be confused about where he is and what to expect from you. Setting up some clear structure with your family for your dog will be paramount in making as smooth a transition as possible.To make the transition as smooth as possible at home, here are some helpful tips on how to set your new pup up for sucess with both house and crate training.

Congratulations on your new family member! Getting a new dog is exciting for all but can be initially stressful for the new dog, as they enter a new environment. Some dogs are easy going and adjust very quickly, others may take more time to warm up and be 100% comfortable in their new surroundings. This is especially true when it comes to warming up to other furry family members! 

To help make the introductions as smooth as possible, here are some helpful tips on how to introduce your new dog to others pups and even kitties!

Introducing a new family member can be an overwhelming experience for all involved. That’s why we’re here to help you through this new chapter in your life and make this transition as easy as possible. We would be thrilled for all our pets to have the best experience from the get-go when meeting a child, but we know sometimes it’s best to take it one step at a time. Baby steps if you will.

Our support for you and your pet doesn’t stop once you leave our shelter! We have a variety of programs here to support you and your pet as you embark on your new journey together.

Spring is the onset of kitten season and due to Arizona’s climate, our kitten season lasts several months. It is not uncommon to see cats, especially kittens, flooding our local shelters from April to October. Summer is the most challenging time for Valley shelters and we need our community’s hands-on support to help save these little lives while also ensuring that they don’t continue to reproduce.