Published on June 2, 2022 at 1:25 p.m.
Bennito L. Kelty
TucsonSentinel.com
The Pima Animal Care Center is launching a new foster program that will offer $50 gift cards to people who house and train dogs, hoping to free up space at the county’s crowded shelter. PACC has hundreds of dogs in need of homes.
Finn’s Fund for Good Dogs program focuses on dogs that have been at the PACC shelter for a long time and have behavioral issues. The goal is to train them and prepare them to live in a house.
Anyone who commits to adopting a dog through the program, which is funded in part by the Pedigree Foundation, will receive a $50 Amazon gift card every two weeks for up to six weeks, in exchange for working with PACC to train and spread the word about the dog.
The Fosters will work with professional trainers, the dog’s case manager and their shelter advocate. The training is intended to “help prepare (dogs) to succeed in compatible homes,” said Monica Dangler, director of animal services.
Some of the common behaviors that PACC dogs need to be trained in include:
- Leash responsiveness (barking, pulling, etc. on leash)
- Impulse control (teaching an excitable dog to calm down)
- Getting used to strangers
- feel good alone
- Sharing (toys, treats, food, etc.)
“The community has supported our host program for a very long time,” Dangler said. “These puppies need very special rescuers, and we know those foster families are here in this amazing community.”
Just last Friday, the PACC issued an emergency request for community assistance after their shelter ran out of space for dogs ahead of Memorial Day weekend. PACC capacity is at “extreme” on Thursday, one level below “critical”.
For the month of April, which has the most recent data, the PACC welcomed 1,617 cats, dogs and others, which is 143 more than in April 2021. There are currently 524 dogs at the shelter who need one home and 516 others in foster care who need adoptive homes, PACC reports.
Anyone interested in participating in the Finn’s Fund foster program can view a list of shelter dogs eligible for the program and contact the dog advocate or case manager, whose information is listed with each dog’s profile.
Donations can also be made online to the Finn’s Fund program. More information about the program is also available online.
Over the past year, Finn’s Fund has had an 85% success rate in finding forever homes for these pets, PACC reports.
Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd., is open Monday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Each pet comes with up-to-date medical care, microchipping, up-to-date vaccinations, and free spaying or spaying surgery.
Bennito L. Kelty is the IDEA reporter for TucsonSentinel.com, focusing on stories of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access, and a Report for America body member supported by readers like you.
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