Celebrating Some of Our Local Animal Welfare Heroes

What started as a “casual roundtable discussion” was, in truth, a bit of mischief on our part. We invited a handful of local animal welfare leaders to our office under the guise of educating our foundation team about the state of animal welfare in Maricopa County – but Bob and I had a completely different plan in motion. They thought they were in for a typical meeting. We knew they were in for a surprise. 

While our foundation staff led a thoughtful discussion with the group – talking about rising needs, collaboration, access to care, and the daily work of helping pets and the families who love them – Bob and I called each leader, one by one, into his office. Each guest walked in expecting to answer a few follow-up questions. Instead, they were met with something far more unexpected. 

Bob and I surprised each organization with an unsolicited grant, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, in recognition of their incredible service. One after another, reactions ranged from stunned silence to laughter to joyful tears. They were the kind of moments that fill our hearts and remind us why we do this work. 

These leaders spend their days caring for animals, supporting families in crisis, expanding access to spay and neuter services, and ensuring pets stay in loving homes. They rarely pause long enough to celebrate themselves, so giving them a moment of recognition – and support – felt incredibly meaningful. 

We’re endlessly grateful for what they do: 

• HALO Animal Rescue, helping over 2,400 dogs and cats find safety and care each year. 
• Arizona Pet Project, keeping more than 1,700 pets with the families who love them through case management and critical services. 
• Foothills Animal Rescue, rescuing and rehoming nearly 800 animals annually. 
• Altered Tails, providing more than 15,900 affordable spay/neuter surgeries every year. 
• Alliance for Companion Animals (Fix.Adopt.Save), coordinating across seven partner organizations to increase adoptions and deliver low-cost vaccines and sterilization.

To the leaders who joined us – Heather, Leanna, Michele, Shannon, Lana, and Sonia – thank you. Your commitment, your expertise, and your compassion make Maricopa County a better place for both pets and people. 

It was an afternoon filled with gratitude, joy, a few priceless reactions, and the kind of energy that stays with you long after the room is empty. Moments like this remind us that behind every wagging tail and every saved life, there are extraordinary people quietly doing extraordinary work – and they deserve to be celebrated. 

And if our little surprise wasn’t enough excitement for one day… let’s just say there may be more good news ahead for our four-legged friends. Stay tuned. 🐾 

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