Every day, hundreds of animals enter Maricopa County shelters in need of food, medical care, and a second chance. Now, the county is taking an exciting step to help them — and we want to make sure it happens.

Maricopa County officials have proposed a new nonprofit, Friends of Animal Care and Control, to raise funds that support spay/neuter programs, vaccinations, emergency care, and adoption efforts for shelter pets. The goal is simple: to save lives, reduce strain on public shelters, and connect more animals with loving homes.

This is the kind of solution our community needs — and it deserves our full support.

We’re calling on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to formally approve and fully fund this nonprofit initiative. We’re also urging local residents, businesses, and foundations to commit to supporting the nonprofit once it launches.

With community backing, Friends of Animal Care and Control can:

• Reduce overcrowding in shelters
• Provide critical medical care for animals in crisis
• Fund spay/neuter services to prevent future homelessness
• Support outreach to help reunite lost pets with their families
• Offer a compassionate safety net for animals during tough economic times

We already know that economic hardship leads to more surrendered and abandoned animals. With this nonprofit, Maricopa County can proactively help pets and the people who care about them — all while reducing pressure on the public system.

Please sign this petition to show your support for Friends of Animal Care and Control and to ask county leaders to move forward quickly. Together, we can make Maricopa County a model for how communities care for their animals.