Stop Maricopa Animal Control from Consolidating Shelters
This petition had 37,656 supporters
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved a multi-million-dollar budget to plan for the consolidation of the MCACC east-shelter (at the 101 & Rio Salado) and the MCACC west-shelter (at 27th Ave & Durango) into one "central" facility at 27th Ave & Durango. - revised 01/23
Alienating the eastern portion of Maricopa County's population from animal control services is not only a poor decision for the welfare of the animals that end up at county, it will negatively affect shelters that border Maricopa County by inflicting the same over-population issues that the MCACC-east facility faces.
There is little question that the MCACC east-facility is no longer an adequate space for Maricopa County's growing population of residents and companion animals (in Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, Fountain Hills,etc.). However, the mission stated on the Maricopa.gov website to increase the quality of care provided to animals, reduce the length of stay for animals, and improve the adoption experience, is extremely unlikely when a Mesa-resident, who falls within the 16% poverty level, has to travel 30 miles or more through Phoenix traffic (3 hours by bus, one way) to surrender their animal, or volunteer, or consider adoption.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors needs to recognize that 70% of Maricopa County's population resides east of 27th Avenue, thus making it in the best interest of the community for all approved money to be spent on land and a new MCACC facility in the east-valley.
Related Articles
AZCentral.com: County plans to close 'substandard' Mesa animal shelter once expanded facility is ready
East Valley Tribune: Maricopa County to close Mesa animal shelter at Loop 101 and Rio Salado
ABC15: Maricopa County Animal Care and Control might be closing one of its facilities
AJ/GC Independant: Maricopa County plans to consolidate animal shelters; east shelter in Mesa may close
01/23 Update: An MCACC-affiliated source has confirmed that a $1.8 million budget, approved by Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, is being used to fund an architectural firm's analysis and concept plan for the proposed West shelter expansion, and a study from the University of California Davis Animal Welfare Department regarding work flow and best practices. An overall budget for $18 million was initially approved for the expansion of a central facility to replace the existing East facility. The only option currently being examined the Board of Supervisors is the expansion of the West facility to create a mega-shelter that would serve the entire Maricopa County population.