Holiday Season for Giving to the County Shelter

With the most magnificent of holiday seasons in our rearview mirror for another year, we can hopefully reflect on the time spent with loved ones and the joy of putting a smile on someone’s face through giving.

As an Arizona state council representative with the #HumaneSocietyOfTheUnitedStates, oftentimes my version of inducing a smile means inspiring the wagging of a tail. And this past December our local Surprise #Starbucks at 15332 W. Bell Road helped wag a lot of tails by participating in our Holiday Donation Drive for #MaricopaCountyAnimalCareAndControl (#MCACC). Establishing drop boxes at this Starbucks location resulted in donated gifts that included dog and cat beds, food, #toys, harnesses, collars and much more. I wish I could have thanked each and every donor for their kindness and generosity, but to all of those who donated and to the friendly #Starbuckspartners who helped create an atmosphere of warm seasonal spirit, thank you!

MCACC (Maricopa.Gov/Pets) shelters hundreds of cats and dogs, from mutts through purebreds, who are in need of a loving lifetime home. Contrary to misconception, these are #dogs and #cats who are so often relinquished for reasons beyond their control. They are not “damaged goods”; rather, them being turned over is collateral damage because people move, couples split, they have babies, they don’t have the time or patience for a pet, etc. Whatever the case, relinquishment puts an animal’s life in peril.

Only bring a pet into your home when you’re committed to giving that dog or cat a lifetime of care and commitment. If you’re unsure, perhaps consider becoming a pet #foster, which is always in need. Once committed to being a guardian for a pet’s lifetime, please then make adoption your first option. MCACC has varieties of breeds in all ages, colors and temperaments, and valley rescues are always looking for

loving lifetime homes for animals in their care. Avoid the urge to be suckered into a #petstore because of that cute #puppy in the window. #Arizona pet stores buy and sell puppy mill puppies that are shipped here from Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and other states with vast numbers of #puppymills. Remember, “USDA licensed” is still a puppy mill! And lastly, consider an older dog. They make loyal, well-behaved companions who need little more than…you!

(Written by Don Scott for the community's The Front Porch resident newsletter)