named programs · 4 · from sources
what they call their work
Adoption Program
Facilitates the adoption of rescued small dogs into forever homes, with a focus on matching dogs to suitable families
Foster Program
Places dogs in temporary foster homes to provide care for puppies, seniors, medical cases, and moms with pups outside the shelter environment
Medical Care Program
Provides full medical care for all dogs in rescue, including surgeries, treatment for injuries, vaccinations, and ongoing health management
Volunteer Program
Engages volunteers in dog socialization, kennel cleaning, transport, and event support to assist shelter operations
activities · 6
what they do
direct service · 6
- Adoption services Dog Adoption FacilitationOperates a no-kill rescue in Phoenix, AZ, providing care until adoption, with 33 dogs currently available and over 1,000 dogs rescued in 2024, maintaining a 98.9% save rate.
- Dog rehabilitation and training Animal Behavior Training and SupportTrains rescued dogs in basic obedience and house manners to improve adoptability, and provides medical care, socialization, and walking to prepare them for permanent homes.
- Event support and outreach Volunteer Coordination for Animal RescueAssists at adoption and fundraising events, including transporting dogs and supporting event logistics.
- Foster care program for small dogs Dog Adoption FacilitationProvides temporary foster care for puppies, nursing mothers, senior dogs, large dogs, and dogs with medical needs, supplying foster families with food, kennels, toys, dishes, and covering all medical expenses, supported by a dedicated Foster Coordinator.
- Shelter operations and animal care Animal Care and Socialization ServicesProvides daily care for dogs including kennel cleaning, socialization, walking, and transportation to vet appointments and adoption events.
- Small dog rescue and intakeAccepts owner surrenders and rescue transfers of small dogs, with intake dependent on space and dog needs, operating without fees or for a small donation.
strategies · 9
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.
- Accessible volunteer engagement unique to this orgEngages volunteers regardless of prior animal experience, emphasizing willingness to help and flexible time commitments to broaden community involvement.
- Behavioral rehabilitation through fostering behavioral rehabilitation through environmental stability unique to this orgLeverages foster homes not only for shelter but also to assess, support, and improve dogs’ behavioral and social needs, using environmental stability to build trust and improve adoptability.
- Compatibility-based adoption matching compatibility-based adoption matching unique to this orgMatches dogs with adoptive families based on household composition and lifestyle compatibility, including factors like presence of other pets and absence of children, to increase long-term adoption success.
- Comprehensive rescue-to-adoption pipeline comprehensive_rescue_and_placement unique to this orgRescues dogs from owner surrenders and kill shelters, provides essential veterinary care, fosters them, and facilitates permanent adoptions, ensuring holistic support throughout the rescue journey.
- Foster-based care model foster-based care unique to this orgUses a network of temporary foster homes to provide safe, nurturing environments for rescued dogs, allowing them to be cared for until they are ready for permanent adoption, rather than relying on physical shelter facilities.
- Inclusive rescue and adoption philosophy inclusive_adoption unique to this orgAccepts dogs of all sizes, breeds, and backgrounds for rescue and adoption, guided by the belief that love and companionship come in all forms, even while specializing in small dogs.
- No-kill commitment with welfare prioritization no_kill_shelter_model unique to this orgCommits to providing ongoing care for all rescued dogs until permanent adoption is achieved, prioritizing health, safety, and quality of life over time-limited shelter models.
- Responsible pet ownership education responsible_pet_ownership_education unique to this orgPromotes long-term animal welfare by educating adopters and the public on core responsibilities including spaying/neutering, microchipping, and proper care practices.
- Support for owners considering surrender owner-support_during_surrender unique to this orgRecognizes the emotional and practical challenges of pet surrender and supports owners in evaluating all options, acknowledging that surrender may be a responsible choice under changing life circumstances.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
the money
revenue
Total revenue$1.12M
Contributions & grants$653K58%
Program service revenue$459K41%
Investment income$6K1%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$894K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$271K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$485K
Cash$477K
Investments$0
Liabilities$12K
Net assets$473K
Liquid reserves6.4 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +8.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
who runs it
board members · 1
- Kimberly Jo Sm — Director
relationships · 4
who they work with
- Best Friends Animal Society Partner — Partner organization with which AZSDR has received the No Kill Award for three consecutive years.
- PetCo Love Partner — Provides grant funding, adoption support, and access to the PetCo Love Lost platform to help reunite stray pets with families.
- Phoenix Animal Care Coalition Partner — Partner that sponsors extreme medical cases and provides outreach and support to the Arizona rescue community.
- Zoom Room Ahwatukee Partner — Provides adoption support by training adopters through dog training programs focused on human education.