activities · 10
what they do
direct service · 10
- Adoption support and matching servicesOffers one-on-one adoption counseling, a slumber party program for temporary home trials, and lifelong post-adoption support through a dedicated Adoption Support Coordinator to ensure successful pet placements.
- Community education and pet owner resources Animal Behavior Training and SupportProvides free online training guides, wellness care access, and resources to help pet owners maintain strong bonds with their pets and prevent shelter intake.
- Foster care program for animals Neonatal and Foster Kitten Care ProgramOperates a foster network of approximately 90 families who provide temporary care for young, recovering, or socially developing animals, supporting shelter capacity and animal well-being.
- Fundraising through branded initiatives Animal Welfare Fundraising & Adoption EventsRaises funds for animal welfare programs through a custom beer collaboration with Turnout Beverage and raffle ticket sales for pet feature opportunities on beer cans.
- Low-cost veterinary and wellness services Low-Cost and Emergency Veterinary CareProvides low-cost veterinary care including spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, microchipping, flea and tick treatment, and medical treatments through a dedicated clinic, serving both shelter animals and pets in underserved communities.
- Operation of no-kill shelters and adoption centersOperates multiple no-kill adoption facilities including the Sonia Breslow Adoption Center in Phoenix and the PetMatch Adoption Center in Chandler, providing public access to adoption services six days per week.
- Rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of animalsRescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes more than 4,000 dogs and cats annually through direct intake and Rural Rescue transport operations, including medical and behavioral care prior to adoption.
- Special adoption events and partnershipsHosts pop-up adoption events in partnership with organizations like PetSmart Charities during National Adoption Week to increase pet placements.
- Stray animal intake referral and community alert system Lost Pet Reunification ServicesRefers individuals to partner agencies for stray animal intake and issues community alerts about scams targeting families of missing pets.
- Volunteer engagement Volunteer Coordination for Animal RescueRelies on volunteers to support daily shelter operations and animal care.
strategies · 8
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Community education and leadership in animal welfare community_educationThe organization leads public education efforts to prevent animal exploitation and promote responsible pet ownership, particularly during vulnerable life events, while engaging the community through innovative outreach.
- Comprehensive community-based animal welfare system comprehensive_community_servicesThe organization operates a full-spectrum model that integrates intake, medical care, behavioral support, adoption, foster care, and retention services to support both animals and their human families within the community.
- Foster-based care and shelter diversion for pet retention shelter diversion and pet retentionBy utilizing foster homes and offering support services to pet owners, the organization reduces shelter intake and helps families retain their pets during challenging times.
- Individualized training and behavior modification programs individualized_trainingPrivate, individualized dog training and behavior modification programs are offered to support dogs with reactivity or social challenges and their guardians, enhancing integration into homes.
- No-kill shelter model with ethical euthanasia policy no-kill shelter modelAnimals are not euthanized for space or treatable conditions; only those that are terminally ill or pose a danger to people or other animals are euthanized, reflecting a commitment to life-saving care.
- Personalized adoption and behavioral support model personalized_match_makingUsing behavioral assessments, personalized match-making, trial adoptions (e.g., slumber party program), and lifelong post-adoption support, the organization increases adoption success and long-term pet retention.
- Preventative and accessible veterinary care model preventative_wellness_modelLow-cost services, mobile vaccine clinics, and culturally responsive care increase access to preventative veterinary care, reducing illness and pet surrenders, particularly in underserved communities.
- Volunteer and transport partnership network volunteer-driven operationsLeveraging volunteer-driven operations and coordinated transport partnerships, the organization extends its reach to rescue animals from rural areas and scale its services.
named programs · 9
what they call their work
Adoption Services
Rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes dogs and cats, ensuring they are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped, and medically/behaviorally evaluated. Includes an "Adoption Support Coordinator" for post-adoption assistance.
Adoption Support Program
Year-long follow-up support for adopters provided by a full-time Adoption Support Coordinator to ease the transition for pets and families
Community Clinic
Low-cost veterinary clinic providing vaccines, wellness care, and preventative services to pet owners in underserved communities, particularly in East Maryvale and Central City Phoenix
Dog Training Classes
Training programs including private sessions and specialized classes like Feisty Fido for dogs needing behavior support
Foster Care Network
Network of approximately 90 foster families providing temporary care for puppies, kittens, and animals recovering from medical procedures or needing socialization
Foster Parent Network
Network of families providing temporary care and shelter for puppies, kittens, and animals recovering from medical procedures or needing socialization.
Mobile Vaccine Clinics
Mobile wellness and preventative care clinics held in schools and community centers in veterinary desert areas like East Maryvale
Rural Rescue
Program to transport vulnerable animals from rural areas to AAWL for a second chance at adoption.
Slumber Party Program
Innovative adoption program allowing potential adopters to take animals home for a trial period to ensure a good match with their lifestyle
relationships · 10
who they work with
- 12 Rural Rescue partners Partner — Collaborates with 12 rural rescue partners to transport vulnerable animals to AAWL.
- Arizona Humane Society Partner — Referral partner for stray animal intake and collaborator on community scam alerts
- Arizona Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Partner — Merged with AAWL in 2007, forming AAWL & SPCA; legally part of the organization though no longer used in public branding.
- Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Partner — Referral partner for stray animal intake
- PetSmart Charities Partner — Partnered to host a pop-up pet adoption event during National Adoption Week 2025.
- The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Funder — Provided a $500,000 grant to support AAWL's community-based veterinary care programs.
- The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Funder — Provided a major grant to expand lifesaving community programs for Arizona animal shelters, including AAWL.
- Turnout Beverage Partner — Collaborates on a recurring beer can campaign featuring adoptable pets, previously known as Walter Station Brewery.
- Turnout Beverage Partner — Collaborates with AAWL on the Ale Wagger beer can project, formerly known as Walter Station Brewery.
- home-home.org Partner — Partners with home-home.org to list foster opportunities for animals in need.