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Fox10 Phoenix 

By Anita Roman

The Arizona Animal Welfare League operates on a bare-bones budget, and yet, it takes in every stray pet that comes their way. Each year, the League rescues 4,000 animals, with 1,000 coming from the Rural Rescue Program.

Work begins bright and early for Michael Morefield and Melanie Thomas. It's barely 6:00 a.m., and they were loading much-needed supplies into the rescue truck before they hit the road.

As you are escaping this summer heat with day trips up north and long weekends to California or Colorado, you will most likely be bringing your furry four legged friend to share your adventures.  Remember after your trip, make sure you aren’t bringing home those pesky, unwanted visitors; fleas and ticks. They can easily latch onto your pet, and besides making your skin crawl, they can make your animal very sick. Ehrlichea, tick fever, and Lyme disease are only a few of the diseases that can be transmitted to your animal from these tiny creatures and easily hospitalize them.

Hi, my name is Rose, and I need your help. I was born in a breeder’s backyard, sold to have puppies. When I was 7 months old, I had trouble walking, and they took me to a vet. He said my legs didn’t form right and I needed a surgery on both of my legs. The breeder was going to make me “go away”, but I didn’t want to “go away”. I’m not even a year old, I have a lot of life to live.

Sam: It’s Cool to Be a Smart Girl

Sam came to the AAWL 3 years ago a smart, motivated German Shepherd looking for a new family. Rescued from the euthanasia list at the county shelter, we knew with the proper home she would flourish. She was the brand standard for German Shepherds: Perfect gait, astonishing coat, her personality and behavior fit the AKC definition exactly. A family fell for Sam, and took her home to begin her new life.

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - An illness that has killed three dogs and infected at least 50 is spreading in the Valley.

The illness is called leptospirosis and most of the cases have been in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills..

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection and has symptoms similar to the flu. The illness is contagious and can be spread through water. Officials say there is a vaccine for leptospirosis, but it is in short supply.

Article Written By Lindsey Reiser

FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -
More dogs in the Valley are becoming sick with a dangerous bacteria and three have died.

The leptospirosis bacteria is very contagious, and causes vomiting, shaking and lethargy, among other symptoms. It can also spread to humans.

You can get a vaccine for your dog to prevent it.

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -
Animal advocates say important consumer protection provisions in Arizona’s new puppy mill law have been rendered moot after the U.S. Department of Agriculture took down its animal welfare inspection website.

We received a heartbreaking call recently about a young boy who had been abandoned by his mother and was entering the foster care system. Adding to this sad situation, the boy had a beloved dog that he had raised from a puppy. He was going to have to give up his dog because he was not allowed to take it with him to the foster home.

Since 1971, AAWL has been your community shelter, rescuing over 100,000 animals and serving as one of the key agencies in reducing the pet euthanasia rate in our community.

Many may not realize AAWL was founded in 1971 by American actress, Amanda Blake, best known for her role as 'Miss Kitty' on Gunsmoke.

After living for a year in a field next to a truck stop and spending days searching for food and water, Honey just wanted a home. One day, she made a friend in a kind hearted woman named Bessie, who spent a month gaining Honey’s trust. Bessie knew she couldn’t keep Honey, but she knew of the Arizona Animal Welfare League and she knew Honey deserved a better life than scraping by in a dirt lot. Bessie convinced Honey to go for a car ride, and brought her to us, ready to start her new life. Something was wrong with Honey, though; she had become lethargic and weak.