They surveyed the house; trash piled up for years, feces covering the floor, and a quick flash of movement in the corner confirmed their worst suspicions.

26 dogs were hiding among the filth in the house, and another group of abandoned dogs at risk of being shot also needed rescue.

This week, The Arizona Animal Welfare League Rural Rescue team drove 8 hours to two of the toughest calls they’ve answered in years. One of our 32 Rural Rescue partners in Arizona contacted our team about two cases that needed immediate assistance: a hoarding house with over two dozen dogs living inside, and an abandoned property with dogs that were at risk of being shot by the new owner if they weren’t removed.

As our team arrived at the first property, along with some members from the AZ Border Collie Rescue that accompanied us, they were overwhelmed by the conditions of the house.  The smell was overpowering. Years of trash had collected around the house; on furniture, counters, covering the floor. Among the garbage was feces and dog hair from years of neglect. 26 border collies who had lived there for years were darting through the house.

Some craved human affection and ran to our team instantly. Others were slowly coaxed from hiding places, their only safe place for most of their life. But the team saw the hardest cases from afar; piercing eyes, terrified of human contact, teeth snarled in fear and not aggression. Our Rural Rescue team, including one former animal control officer, had over 40 years of combined animal welfare experience. The most terrified dogs eluded them over and over again. For hours, the team worked tirelessly to rescue every dog.

After all 26 dogs had been caught,  and after our team regained their strength after hours of grueling work in the Arizona sun, they began the drive to save the abandoned dogs at risk of being shot.

Abandoned by their previous owner, and the current property owner stating he would “shoot any dogs left”, our team knew there was no room for error. Luckily, the dogs had an unbeatable spirit after fending for themselves with the help of our Rural Rescue partner. With stunning eyes, adorable ears, and a profound limp, one dog, Mariley, wobbled slowly to our team. Even without an X-ray, our team knew her injuries were severe.

 The team loaded all the dogs up and began their long journey back to Phoenix, happy and tired but knowing they had made a huge difference in the lives of these wonderful dogs.  They truly embody the spirit and the mission of AAWL.

This is why AAWL built the Rural Rescue Program in 2016. This is why we drive 45,000 miles a year across Arizona to help our partners. This is why we have rescued over 9,000 animals from 32 partners stretching across the state.

They Call, We Answer.

Help us continue our lifesaving work across Arizona. The need is now, please Donate today.

 

 

I want to share an experience from today that sent Courage our way through a transport that could not have happened without you.

This afternoon, I assisted with 38 dogs who came straight from commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. As they were handed off to us one by one, I was saddened to see these dogs come off the transport vehicle. Knowing many had spent their lives in small cages, they either came from breeding mamas or were the breeding mamas. I was hopeful because they made it to us, and we knew we could help them because of you.

It is with your support today, and our strong partnerships through our Rural Rescue program, that these 38 beautiful dogs will not only be saved, but will thrive. Because of you, we know they will be cared for, fed, sheltered, and adopted into loving homes; making all the difference in their world from where they started.

Courage is one of those special dogs that is so thankful you are here to help.

Courage is a frail, six year old girl who was one of the breeding mama’s. Her sweet demeanor does not tell the story of her health challenges. She is partially blind, with a skin condition that cost her almost all of her hair and her hips show that she lived in a small cage most of her life.

Minimum standards of care are set for commercial dog breeding facilities and it’s dogs like Courage who may only receive the minimal care. This is not acceptable nor is it right for any dog to live almost half of their life, or sometimes longer, under those conditions.

Donate Here and Give them Courage

With your support you can help us care for Courage and the other dogs that arrived today and you’ll be a huge part of making sure the second half of their lives are filled with love, as they undoubtedly deserve.

Please consider a gift today so that together we can make a difference. 

Thank you for giving us Courage today so that together we may continue to save the lives of other dogs and cats that will be coming through our doors. We could not do this work without you.

 

I gotta know, what is it about me that people don’t want to meet? I didn’t want to dwell on it, but I haven’t had any appointments to meet my new family in two weeks….I’ve been working on my good boi sits, I’ve been really good about not pulling the stuffing out of my new toys (but it is so FUN), I made new friends in play group, but still no emails or appointments for me. I’ve been watching all my friends find these really cool new families (one now lives on a ranch with a chicken!), and I am so happy for them, but it makes me a little sad, you know? I mean, I’m a little bit of a blocky head, but my volunteer friends say that it’s perfect for head scratches. I like lots of toys, but my friends collected money to buy me $100 worth of toys when I get adopted, so that hopefully wont be expensive for you? I don’t have those pretty freckles, or a big furry coat, but my mama always told me I was a handsome man, and when I play in the pool, the water slides right off my shiny coat. So help me out, can you tell me what I can do to find a family? I love my friends here, and they are so good to me, but it’s not a home. What can I do to be in your home?

Respectfully and humbly,

Your new pupper Boomer

 

P.S. You can email my buddy to set up a special appointment to meet me! Jtrethewey@aawl.org

 

My name is Duke, and your monthly donations saved my life.

After my mom passed away, I was tied up in a backyard for two years by people I thought would care for me. I cuddled with my sister for warmth and shared all my food so we could stay strong. We were eventually surrendered to a veterinarian for euthanasia for “medical issues”, but an AAWL partner knew they could save me with AAWL’s help.

How did your donations save my life?

• AAWL’s Rural Rescue saves animals from over 32 partners that desperately need help; like the one who found me and my sister.
• AAWL provides supplies and support to their partners, so they can use their small resources to save even more animals in their communities.
• AAWL’s Medical Miracle Fund gave me and my sister the medical care we needed.

It’s more than my life, it’s the lives of 300 animals every month brought to their doors. The kittens I saw in the clinic receiving life-saving vaccines, the puppies in the kennel next to me saved in the infirmary from the deadly Parvo virus, the friends I made in playgroup from across Arizona. And my sister – she will find a family, a new mom to love her.

 

I know this may sound like the ramblings of an old dog, but it’s an old dog given a second chance because of you.

Click Here To Save Lives Every Month

DOUBLE YOUR DONATION: A gracious donor is matching the first $5,000 of new monthly donations! Save twice as many lives when you give, donate now!

 

PHOENIX (FOX 10) – One Valley rescue is searching for a forever home for dogs rescued from fighting rings. 

From Florida, PJ and Circ found their way to Phoenix along with some much need care from the staff and volunteers at the Arizona Animal Welfare League. 

Morefield says both dogs were used in a dog fighting ring in Canada. After it was broken up, they spent countless months in what he describes as a doggy jail while the people who fought them were on trial and then rehab.

“There’s a lot of fear with them around other dogs because they were taught for years to hate and to be negative and that’s not who they are as dogs,” explained Morefield. 

Morefield says both pups continue to work through issues of trust, learning how to be a dog after they were used and abused for so many years. 

“It’s a progression, it’s not a sprint it’s a marathon,” said Morefield. “We know they are going to get there, we would love a family or home that understands what they’ve been through and wants to give that love and support.”

Support, patience, love, and of course treats is all they need. 

“PJ is the Red Bull of dogs, we love playing with him, he loves toys, he loves high energy but then all of the sudden he crashes for hours at a time,” says Morefield. “Circ wants to be with you in your lap giving you kisses snuggling with you all the time.”

Both PJ and Circ are up for adoption at the AAWL. Morefield suggests both go to homes where they are the only dog as they continue to work through their issues and, of course, the staff at AAWL is available to answer any concerns and address fears about adopting a dog with this type of history because it’s not for everyone. 

http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-news/dogs-rescued-from-fighting…

Real talk everyone, I’m a lover not a fighter! I am sooo over being judged because I have a big noggin, I got the floppy ears, and I keep myself fit. I will not apologize for the way I look: My friends at AAWL tell me I’m very handsome, and I know I am beautiful on the inside, too.

This week a woman saw me and said, “I feel like I’m in the hood, I don’t want to make eye contact…” Ma’am did you know what I wanted? I wanted to sit in your lap and give you kisses. But hey, I get boundaries so no snuggles from you, but girl why the judging? Lay off the “hater-ade”.

You know who never judges me? My girl Queenie. She is jelly to my peanut butter, she’s peas to my carrots, I don’t know what I would do without her. Some people say we’re “bonded”, I like to say I have a lot of love to give, and she loves to be loved.  We’re a packaged deal, but that means twice the love, amirite?

So when you see me, you can give me kisses, pets, even a treat if you got one; but please don’t give me judgement for how I look. You can either be part of the problem, or part of the solution. I’m actually hoping your me new family.

I love you lots,

Your boy Jethro (and Queenie)

When your rural partners ask quietly for any food you can spare, you listen. Groups that operate on small budgets, and still do incredible work in their communities across the state. Rescues that have helped us save over 6,000 lives from our Rural Rescue network since 2016, Like our puppy Morgan. If they are asking, we know it’s serious. And now we ask for your help.

Since the beginning of 2019, we have donated and delivered over 4 tons of food to 32 rescues across the state, and although our outreach supplies are running low, we will not say no.

Multiple requests have come this week from our Rural Rescue network asking for opened bags, bags we can’t use, or anything we may have set aside. These groups have done incredible work fighting pet homelessness in their towns, counties, and rural neighborhoods, and we want to help them with your support.

If you have any bags you’re not using, bags you find on sale, or bags your pet didn’t like, we will collect it this weekend and distribute it to those in need next week.

All food can be delivered or dropped off at our main shelter at:

25 N. 40^th st

Phoenix AZ, 85034

As a community, we are stronger together. We’ve been where they are, in hard times with mouths to feed, and now have the chance to give back. With your help.

Thank you for your kindness and support. The homeless pets of Arizona thank you.