In a rural corner of Arizona, two modest animal shelters partnered with a national rescue organization to transform the fate of hundreds of dogs—particularly large breeds like Big Hoss—by connecting them to adoptive homes and rescue groups statewide.
- Nearly 100 dogs rescued in 5 months
- Save rates rose to over 90% at both shelters
- Grant-funded transport program connects dogs to rescue groups
What happened
Navajo County's two primary shelters, Holbrook Animal Care & Control and Snowflake-Taylor Police Department Animal Control, were facing serious challenges due to their small size and the large area they serve. With populations under 5,000 for the towns but 110,000 people in the county, these shelters took in hundreds of animals yearly, including many large dogs with limited room and resources. One such dog was Big Hoss, nearly 100 pounds and too big for the shelter kennels, who faced declining health and a grim future.
To tackle this, Friends of the Holbrook Animal Shelter teamed up with Best Friends Animal Society and received a $20,000 Rachael Ray Save Them All Grant to launch the Navajo County Transport Program. This innovative program enables rescue groups across the state to bring dogs from these smaller shelters into their care, providing veterinary treatment, temporary housing, and placing them in forever homes. The results swiftly followed, with 92 dogs relocated and save rates rising significantly.
Why it feels good
The program not only saved many lives but also showcased how collaboration and targeted funding can create meaningful change for animals in rural communities. Shelters that struggled with adoption limitations, including Snowflake-Taylor which does not allow direct adoption or fostering, found new ways to help animals find loving homes. The increased rescue partnerships and transport options helped reduce the heartbreaking choices of euthanasia due to space constraints.
Big Hoss himself is a heartwarming example of success. Once confined to a small kennel and on the euthanasia list, he was rescued through the program and found a loving family within weeks of arriving at a rescue in Phoenix. Stories like his bring joy and hope to shelter workers, volunteers, and adopters alike, underlining the importance of investing in programs that lift up vulnerable animals and connect them with people ready to care for them.
What to enjoy or watch next
Keep an eye on similar rural shelters benefiting from collaborative transport programs and grants that help increase save rates and reduce shelter overcrowding. These initiatives inspire other communities to adopt creative solutions for animal welfare challenges, ensuring more pets like Big Hoss get second chances.
For animal lovers interested in making a difference, following organizations like Best Friends Animal Society and local partners provides opportunities to support rescue missions, volunteer, foster, or adopt shelter pets in need. Stories of rescued animals being matched with adopters remind us all that every effort counts, and together communities can sustain no-kill progress nationwide.