AAWL's blog

PHOENIX, Ariz. — With temperatures expected to reach the 100-degree mark this weekend, the Arizona Animal Welfare League & Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (AAWL & SPCA) is reminding pet owners not to leave animals in their cars and offering other ways to keep them safe.

Sonia Breslow thought she might be getting a convertible for her 60th birthday.

She even suspected which one -- a Bugatti roadster, a European beauty that can hit more than 200 mph. Breslow even called a local dealership asking if one had been sold in Arizona recently.

When her husband found out about her snooping, he was delighted. Even a bit smug.

"I could have gotten her something material like that, and it would have been nice," John Breslow said.

Instead, he got her a legacy.

The dog whose owner duct-taped her mouth shut and surrendered her to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control about two weeks ago is ready to go to a new home.

Mugzie has stolen the hearts of the staff of the Arizona Animal Welfare League and the 3TV news room.

Scott Pasmore introduced "Good Morning! Arizona" viewers to the shy-but-affectionate dog Tuesday morning.

“It was pretty shocking,” said MCACC manager Linda Soto when Mugzie and her puppies were dropped off.

You can say Olive the dog is living the good life.

“She’s just a ray of sunshine; she's a happy addition to our home,” said Monica Sperke.

A few years back Sperke welcomed the Mexican hairless dog into her arms as a foster.

“Olive decided the first night she was staying with us,” Sperke said.The dog owner wasn't able to resist Olive's inner beauty for long.

“The fact that she had a tough beginning certainly doesn't affect the fact that's she's a wonderful pet,” Sperke said.

The valley needs good homes for animals in shelters. Many of those dogs and cats are euthanized without someone to step up and adopt them, like this valley couple who made a home for two dogs that were literally on the brink of death.

Rex and his sister, Reyna, both 9-month-old lab mixes, were playing for the first time in their new backyard in Avondale. They were adopted by a couple looking for a new addition -- or two -- to their family.

And for Terry Denemey and Jerry Postema, it was a perfect match from the moment they saw the pups at the Arizona Animal Welfare League.

The mercury has dropped substantially in recent days. The cold weather doesn't affect just people.

Monika Sperke from the Arizona Animal Welfare League offered a good rule of thumb: If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your pet.

She also introduced April Warnecke to an adorable pup that's hoping to find a forever home this holiday season.

Watch the video

High goals having been reached, the Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA is reaching for more when the state's largest and oldest no-kill animal shelter conducts its second Empty the Shelter Adopt-a-Thon this weekend.

Last year, 180 animals were placed in homes in a 12-hour period.

This year, the group hopes to match more than 200 animals with owners.

That's nearly 17 dogs or cats an hour.

In the wake of two major dust storms, you've probably heard quite a bit about valley fever. The respiratory illness doesn't just affect people. Pets can contract it, as well.

April Warnecke's dog, Merton, was diagnosed with valley fever a few years ago.

Valley veterinarian Dr. Claudia Channing stopped by to chat with Warnecke about the signs and symptoms of valley fevers in pets. She also talked about treatments.

Some say Skip the dog was perfectly named because of how he bounces when he walks.  Others think it's because your heart may skip a beat when you read his story.

Skip proves that it's not just cats who have nine lives. The terrier dachshund mix was left in a hot car with the windows rolled up on one of the hottest days of the year last weekend.  The SUV was parked at the Swap Mart near 40th and Washington streets. Passers-by called it into police.

A Tempe couple found two dogs wandering an alley in Tempe with collars tightly fit around their neck that could become embedded into their skin.

Shannon Blizzard, Director of Operations for the Arizona Animal Welfare League and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said puppies can grow quickly, their collars can become tight for them and "if the collar is not loosened to keep pace with the dog's size, it can literally grow into the skin causing excruciating pain."