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Pinal County Pupdate

August 2023

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Monthly Update

Arizona Summer Pet Safety

Arizona summers can be brutal, with 110-degree-plus temperatures, monsoon storms, and summer critters. Here's what you need to know to keep your pets safe this summer.

Excessive heat: The extreme heat warnings have been non-stop this summer, with many days soaring above 110°. During these days, it is highly recommended to bring your pets inside, especially during peak afternoon hours, and only walk them in the early mornings or late evenings when the sun is not out. Walking your pet any other time increases the risk of overheating, leading to heatstroke and injured paw pads.

Dogs must have access to proper shelter, water, and food when outside. Pets should not be left unattended in a vehicle. Failure to comply with either of these can result in a citation under A.R.S. 13-2910. If your pets are mostly outdoors and cannot be brought inside, purchasing kiddie pools and misters and providing frozen treats can help deter heat illness.

Monsoon Storms: Although the monsoon rain is rolling late, high winds and dust storms have begun to appear. These storms are known to blow open gates and test the integrity of fences. As a pet owner, if you haven't already, secure your gates with locks and reinforce weak spots in your walls to prevent your pets from running away.

Summer Critters: Monsoon season also mean toads, common to Pinal County, Sonoran Desert Toads are toxic to pets and can be deadly. Always double-check outside water bowls, pools, and puddles for unwanted guests. Speaking of unwanted guests, remember to be cautious of the infamous rattlesnake most active in the mornings and evenings. During the hottest part of the day, rattlesnakes will typically be hidden. Rattlesnakes are known for hiding in burrows, brush, bushes, tool sheds, outside clutter, wood, and rock piles. Always supervise your pets outside in an area known for toads or snakes! Both can lead to a hefty vet bill or worse!

If citizens have trouble finding shelter for their pets or issues with pets escaping their fencing, they are encouraged to contact Pinal County Animal Care & Control. Through the shelter's outreach program, citizens can get free consultations, dog houses, and help with reinforcing fencing.

It can be difficult to track down an adopted dog's birthday since the animal's background is often unknown when they arrive at the shelter. DOGust 1st was created to ensure that every dog gets a birthday, even if it's not their real one! This DOGust, we wanted the share some of the beloved pets of our county employees who were adopted from our very own Animal Care and Control shelter! These pups are now living their best lives in their forever homes.

Adopting a pet is truly the best birthday gift that you could give this DOGust 1st, and we have so many pets in our care looking to find a home. To learn more about adoption, click here. If adopting a pet is not for you and you would still like to celebrate, you can donate to PCACC or purchase from our Amazon Wish list.

Bryce is 100% Cute and 29% ___?

Guess Bryce's Dog Breed

One of our PCACC volunteers recently DNA-tested one of our shelter pups, Bryce, to determine his breed. The results came back with seven different breeds, with the top breeds accounting for 20%, 23%, and 29%, which breed do you think accounted for the highest percentage? This one stumped us!

Holiday Season is just around the corner! Pinal County Animal Care & Control is seeking individuals to volunteer for offsite adoption events. Adoption events are significant to saving lives, especially since the shelter is at critical capacity.

Volunteers are needed to host offsite adoption events by greeting citizens, reviewing pets' information, shelter programs, and getting needed paperwork filled out, so animals can go home. Outgoing and friendly animal lovers are encouraged to reach out about being a volunteer adoption host. Additionally, the shelter needs volunteers to help set up and tear down events and handle the dogs for meet-and-greets.

Adoption event volunteers will learn skills in animal shelter marketing, event coordinating, animal handling, and pet matchmaking from staff trained with prestigious animal welfare organizations such as Maddie's Fund, Dogs Playing for Life, and the Humane Society of the United States. 

Tuktuk was initially found as a stray in April of 2021. Tuktuk was guessed to only be about a year old based on his teeth and energy. No one ever came to claim their young dog, and Tuktuk was made available for adoption. 

Little did anyone know the roller-coaster Tuktuk would go through in the coming years. Tuktuk was in and out of the shelter for most of his adolescence. Due to his energy and cattle-dog-like tendencies, Tuktuk had difficulty finding a compatible home and was returned to the shelter multiple times. Tuktuk, at one point, was even found living on an abandoned couch in the desert after being adopted. 

The PCACC team was devasted to find Tuktuk in his condition. If not spotted by a patrolling police officer, Tuktuk likely would have eventually succumbed to the harsh heat of the desert. After investigating how Tuktuk came to be in that position, the shelter could not find a concrete conclusion, but what mattered most was that he was back with the shelter team that loved and cared for him.

Tuktuk would again spend months at the shelter until his lucky day finally arrived in June 2023. A lovely couple and their dog met Tuktuk, and Tuktuk finally found his perfect match. After fostering to ensure Tuktuk was the perfect fit, Tuktuk was officially adopted in July 2023. Tuktuk is now living his best life ever with his family, who spoils him with toys, comfy bedding, and love.

Pinal Pet of the Month

Meet Shelter Favorite Buddy

July 30th, 2023, marked 800 days since Buddy was surrendered to Pinal County Animal Care & Control. Originally adopted from another shelter agency, Buddy's original owner, an elderly woman, spoke highly of Buddy and how much she adored him. Unfortunately, she had fallen and had to be hospitalized. During this time, PCACC was called to pick up Buddy from the home because his owner would no longer be able to care for him. Buddy's owner was distraught that she had to surrender him, but she had to do what was best for Buddy.

Two years later, Buddy is still in the care of PCACC. He is best known for being a happy boy despite being at the shelter for so long. Buddy loves to greet people with a play bow. Shelter staff and volunteers are again rooting for Buddy to find the perfect home! You can contact the shelter directly at 520-509-3555 to learn about scheduling a time to meet Buddy.

Fourth of July Event Recap

Reading to the Dogs

Pinal County Animal Care & Control piloted its first "Reading to the Dogs" enrichment event at the shelter last month. Families were invited to visit the shelter during the Fourth of July and the following weekend of the 4th. Families read to the dogs to provide them extra comfort during the firework-filled holiday. Families also got to spoil the dogs with treats and practice "gate games" with dogs to help reinforce calm behaviors in the kennels. The event received positive feedback, and the dogs seemed to enjoy the extra company and enrichment.

Pinal County Animal Care & Control hosts family-friendly enrichment events quarterly. Visit our website to learn more about upcoming events.

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