Mary Richling
Pinal County Animal Care and Control (PCACC) recently celebrated the opening of a 6,000-square-foot renovation to the facility that is located on 11 Mile Corner Road in Casa Grande. The renovation to the administration building now boasts a welcoming open lobby, visitor waiting areas, an adoption and admissions section, and a designated cat area where the more social cats can watch the lobby visitors through the glass of their cozy cat condos. The indoor meet-and-greet rooms as well as a clinic dedicated for spays, neuters, and other medical/surgical needs completes this stunning transformation.
Although this renovation will assist in caring for PCACC’s current shelter animals, the issue of overcrowding is still a grim reality. PCACC has 149 dog kennels. With over 300 dogs currently at the shelter, the shelter staff are forced to place two to three dogs together in one kennel. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of disease transmission, makes it challenging to de-stress frightened animals, and adds to the burden of shelter staff.
Some years ago, several feisty SaddleBrooke women, working alongside the Pinal Board of Supervisors, developed a plan to improve the dilapidated conditions at PCACC. Through this collaboration, Friends of Pinal Pets (FoPP), a nonprofit, was established and is currently a partner to PCACC.
SaddleBrooke has been supportive of PCACC and FoPP with securing donations from SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Network. We want to continue and increase this support, and that’s why we need you! Even though there have been considerable improvements to PCACC, more needs to be done. From increasing the number of volunteers to assist in caring for the animals, to securing play yards for the dogs, PCACC needs your help! Donations can also help the shelter purchase medical equipment and support the medical/surgical treatment needed to make the animals more adoptable.
How can you help? Donations can be made by mailing a check to Friends of Pinal Pets c/o PCACC, 1150 S. Eleven Mile Corner Road, Casa Grande, AZ 85194. You can also donate through their website at friendsofpinal.org or on their Facebook page facebook.com/friendsofpinal.
Looking to adopt a dog or cat? Visit 24petconnect.com and use the zip code 85194 to view the animals. If you see one or more animals you’d like to meet, contact [email protected] or call 520–509-3555. You can also come to PCACC for a meet ‘n greet, see the new facility, and sign up to be a volunteer! From walking dogs to folding laundry, there are numerous tasks available to improve the lives of PCACC’s fur babies! It takes a village!