All that linked Armando, a 4-year-old Labrador mix, to his previous owners was a handwritten note that explained why they chose to abandon him.
He was found tied up to a post at the Arizona Humane Society’s Sunnyslope campus alongside the note.
Though the story is heartbreaking, it is not uncommon. It’s a reflection of the Maricopa County’s animal welfare crisis.
According to the Arizona Humane Society, the crisis is at an all-time high. Their shelters have cared for more than 22,000 sick, injured and abused pets in 2024, the most in a decade.
Population growth, rising home prices, evictions and a shortage of affordable pet care have forced more pet owners in the community to rehome a pet. Because shelters are full, healthy pets that need to be rehomed due to a change in housing or loss of a job have no place to go, which has led to an increase in pet abandonments, according to the AHS.
To help with the high intake levels, the AHS is urging the community to adopt from local shelters instead of purchasing a pet from a breeder or a pet store as shelters are full of pets waiting for a second chance.
Armando, who was deemed healthy after receiving a treatment for an ear infection, is now one of the dogs waiting for his forever home at the shelter’s Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus.
As a part of AHS’ “Big Dog Adoption Special” for dogs 50 pounds and over, Armando has a $0 adoption fee. To learn more about Armando or any of the almost 200 pets looking for a forever home for the holidays, visit azhumane.org/adopt.
Pet owners in need of resources to keep their pets are encouraged to visit azhumane.org/resources.
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