Humane Society must stop taking animals in transition

By Janet DelTufo, Assistant Editor

Until the Humane Society of Wickenburg can find a new location to build a facility, it cannot take in any new animals and must find homes for 13 dogs and cats currently under its care by May 10.

The Humane Society must leave its present facility at Rancho del Rio because the property has been condemned by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The property is going to be used for the new Wickenburg Interim Bypass.

The non-profit organization was offered the option of renting back the property from ADOT until the start of construction. Certain conditions, however, have canceled out that possibility.

A neighbor has made several complaints about barking dogs, and the Society does not feel it is cost-effective to build expensive sound proof kennels when they will only be torn down by ADOT. Additionally, ADOT would require the Society to purchase two $1 million insurance policies to continue operating on the property.

“Right now we are in a bad situation because we have not been able to secure a useable piece of property to build a new facility,” said Society President Debi Main. “We are now having to turn away individuals and the Town of Wickenburg when they call with stray dogs or cats that need to be rescued and cared for.”

During that transition, it is unclear what will happen with Wickenburg's stray animals. The Society can no longer take in any new dogs or cats, including roaming dogs picked up by Wickenburg Animal Control.

The Society has been picking up those dogs from the Bar S Animal Clinic, who is contracted with the town to care for strays for three days before a put-to-sleep order is issued by way of town code.

The Society has rescued those dogs for about 18 months, and Main said not one healthy dog or cat has been put to sleep. Homes have been found for all of them.

“We do not know what is going to happen now,” Main said. “So the sooner we get a facility, the better.”

The Society and Wickenburg Town Councilman John Cook have been working with the Town of Wickenburg to find an appropriate piece of property for the Society to lease on a long term basis.

Each piece of land that has been examined by the Town has had some kind of issue that has prevented it from being made available to the Humane Society. Those issues include access, power and water, and property in established residential neighborhoods.

The town is currently exploring a piece of property near the airport and landfill. It will be several days before it is known if that property can be turned over for lease to the Society.

Main said the priority right now is to get the Society's existing 13 dogs and cats adopted as soon as possible. She said the community has been generous, and she hopes it will continue to do so during the transition.

The Society will not cease to exist, but its activities will be limited until a facility can be built. At best, the organization is estimating it will take three to six months to build a facility after a piece of property is located.

“We will remain active during this transition,” Main said. “We will be providing several free spay/neuter clinics during the spring, summer and fall. We will also be concentrating on grant writing and fund raisers.”

Main said the Society can still assist people who have pets that need new homes by placing their pictures on its Web site or by providing phone numbers of other organizations that might be able to help.

“We look forward to servicing the community and assisting wherever possible,” Main said. “We hope to get situated soon, so that we can continue the work we have started.”

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