Mesa, AZ (May 1, 2024) – Dozens of local leaders, animal welfare advocates, and other VIPs kicked off a day-long celebration of Maricopa County Animal Care and Control’s (MCACC) new facility in Mesa .
The 84,000 square-foot East Valley Animal Care Center is open to the public. At a ribbon-cutting event today, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers talked about how the new shelter will help staff and volunteers better serve the thousands of homeless animals coming into the care of Maricopa County each year.
“It’s a great day for our community, particularly people who are passionate about animal welfare,” said Sellers, whose district covers most of the East Valley. “The East Valley Animal Care Center represents this Board’s commitment not only to shelter pets and their welfare, but also to the staff and volunteers who provide care and enrichment every day.”
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Highlights from the May 1 ribbon cutting ceremony at the Maricopa County East Valley Animal Care Center |
RIBBON-CUTTING EVENT (May 1)
The ribbon-cutting event kicked off Grand Opening Week at the shelter and included remarks from Chairman Sellers, Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin, Animal Care and Control Director Debbie McKnight, and Cathy Bissell, founder of the nationally influential BISSELL Pet Foundation. Attendees were able to tour the new facility to see the stress-and-noise reduction layout and other thoughtfully designed features.
“This new shelter will put dogs in larger kennels with better lighting and easier entry and exit,” said Galvin, who represents Mesa and the rest of District 2. “They will also benefit receiving health care services from a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic.And for volunteers and staff, it will be a better and safer place to work than the old east shelter.
Even the ribbon cutting ceremony was unique. After the official, scissors-and-tape version with the elected leaders, a shelter dog named Palm stepped forward, biting into a link of hot dogs to mark the moment.
PUBLIC OPENING (May 2)
East Valley Animal Care Center, located at 1920 South Lewis, Mesa, AZ 85210, will be open to the public beginning Thursday, May 2. Normal business hours are 12 pm – 6 pm Monday through Friday, and 12 pm – 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The new shelter is designed to include smaller groups of kennels with indoor and outdoor access and a large, angled layout that prevents overstimulation, keeps dogs relaxed, and lowers of noise. The campus will also feature a yard with enrichment activities, a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic, and a separate clinical isolation area to proactively stop the spread of disease.
“This shelter is aligned with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Standards of Care Guidelines to provide a better overall experience for dogs, staff, volunteers, and the public,” said McKnight, MCACC director. “It will be a great place to work and volunteer, a great place to care for dogs while they wait for their new homes, and a great place for community members to find their next bestie. that friend.”
SHELTERS EXPERIENCE IS EMPTY (May 1-15)
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The BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, is making it easier than ever to adopt a pet from Maricopa County animal shelters as part of a nationwide event that runs through May 15. During the event, all adoption fees will be waived for dogs six months and older while puppies 5 months and older child is $150. “Our Spring National ‘Empty the Shelters’ will support the adoption of thousands of pets across the country, including at Maricopa County’s beautiful new East Valley Animal Care Center,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “Together, we can find great homes for the most adoptable pets and free up space for other animals in need.” |
GRAND OPENING EVENT (May 4)
Animal Care and Control will host an “Unleashing Our Potential” Grand Opening event for members of the public from noon to 5 pm Saturday, May 4. There will be booths where people can learn how they can help homeless pets in the region through fostering or volunteering. with the MCACC. There will be an “Ask a Pet Trainer” booth for owners who need some pointers. And, of course, there will be swag and giveaways.
For more information on the East Valley Animal Care Center, visit Maricopa.gov/newshelter.
For services and resources from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, visit Maricopa.gov/pets.
