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Pets and Beasts
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Adoptable Pet: Kelso Needs a Home
Posted By Humane Society of Southern Arizona on Wed, Feb 20, 2019 at 3:30 PM
“Hi friends! My name is Kelso. I am a 2 year old male and I came to HSSA as a stray. They think that I might be part Beagle! I am very friendly and I have a lot of energy. My foster family said I am house trained and I have good leash behavior. I hope I get to meet you soon!"
- Kelso
Visit HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. or call 520-327-6088, ext. 173.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Missing Parrot! Have You Seen Ernie?
Posted By Kathleen B. Kunz on Tue, Feb 19, 2019 at 12:22 PM
Ernie, a red-fronted macaw parrot, is missing from his home.
His owner, Rachel Goossen, is concerned that a good Samaritan may have taken him in to help but doesn't know how to contact her. The bird recently went missing from Willow Springs Road near Biosphere 2. According to a tip from workers at the Biosphere, he landed near a man working on fencing, who took Ernie with the intention of keeping him safe, but lost track of him in the South Tucson area, somewhere between Tyndall Avenue and 36th Street and 24th Street and 6th Avenue.
According to Goossen, the parrot is in very good health and could have flown miles from that location. She has not received a single tip since, so she is continuing to spread the word that Ernie does have a home and people are looking for him.
Ernie and Rachel are members of Arizona Free Flight, a local group of bird enthusiasts that advocate for responsible bird stewardship and safe free flight. To see photos and videos of what they do, visit their Facebook page.
If you see Ernie, help him return home by calling Rachel directly at (919) 827-2609. No questions will be asked. She just wants him back safely because she and her other parrot, Ernie's brother, miss him very much.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Adoptable Pet: Brody Needs a Home
Posted By Humane Society of Southern Arizona on Wed, Feb 13, 2019 at 3:39 PM
"Hi everyone! My name is Brody and I am a 4.5 year old boy that loves to snuggle up with humans! I was brought to HSSA because my previous family was allergic to cats. I hope I get to meet you!"
-Brody, Male Cat 4.5 years old
Visit HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. or call 520-327-6088, ext. 173.
Monday, February 11, 2019
Adoptable Pet: Wyatt Needs a Home
Posted By Humane Society of Southern Arizona on Mon, Feb 11, 2019 at 4:15 PM
"My name is Wyatt and I am a BIG boy! I am a 100lb boy who is on a special diet at the shelter. I am looking for an adopter who will help me get healthy with lots of walks and jogs! I hope I get to meet you."
- Wyatt, Male Dog 5 years old
Visit HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. or call 520-327-6088, ext. 173
Pima Animal Care Center Sees Success During First Year in New Facility
Posted By Kathleen B. Kunz on Mon, Feb 11, 2019 at 12:58 PM
The Pima Animal Care Center accepts homeless, stray, abandoned, surrendered and neglected cats and dogs from all over the county. An enormous undertaking, PACC cares for about 17,000 animals every year. That's an average of 61 pets arriving per day, according to their 2018 annual report.
This year was the first that PACC operated out of their brand new facility on Silverbell Road. The building was funded in 2014 by voter-approved bonds and features a new veterinarian clinic, pet housing areas, indoor and outdoor kennels, improved ventilation and separate lobbies for adoptions, pet support services and medical help.
The report states there were 10,893 animals adopted this year, which is a 15 percent increase from last year. 2,000 Pima County families fostered 5,080 cats and dogs as well. 90 percent of the animals that came to the shelter were placed in a home. Almost 2,000 lifesaving surgeries were performed by PACC's veterinarians and almost 9,000 spay and neuter surgeries were performed, which helps decrease the population of stray and feral animals. A record-breaking 90,584 hours of service were provided by 1,122 volunteers, which County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said is equal to 39 full-time staff positions.
In his Friday memo to the Board of Supervisors, Huckelberry wrote that the new facility has contributed to zero disease outbreaks within the care center this year. Sick animals are now housed in separate medical rooms, preventing the spread of illnesses. Healthy animals have also seen an increased quality of life while staying in the center.
"Group housing rooms, play yards and indoor/outdoor housing for cats and dogs meant this year PACC pets were exposed to fresh air and natural light during their stay, and were able to interact with members of their own species, keeping them happier and healthier," Huckelberry wrote.
14 patrol officers and the animal protection and enforcement program cover the entirety of Pima County, responding to dog bites, cruelty and neglect complaints and licensure and leash compliance, according to PACC's report. This past year more than 26,000 calls were answered, regarding reports of animal cruelty, neglect, leash law violations and sightings of stray animals.
"In 2018 PACC had its most successful year yet by every measure," Huckelberry wrote. "This is clearly due to the investment of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, and the continued support of volunteers, staff, foster caregivers, the Friends of PACC, advocates, rescue partners and adopters."
The full 2018 annual report can be viewed here.
Monday, February 4, 2019
Adoptable Pet: Silver Needs A Home
Posted By Humane Society of Southern Arizona on Mon, Feb 4, 2019 at 12:46 PM
“I am a low energy cat that is adjusting to living with a family instead of living on the streets. I am completely litterbox trained and I did well with my foster family’s cats. I need a special adopter who will give me time to adjust to this new lifestyle. Could you be the one for me?"
- Silver, 3 year old Male Cat
Visit Silver at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. or call 520-327-6088, ext. 173.
- Silver, 3 year old Male Cat
Visit Silver at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. or call 520-327-6088, ext. 173.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Celebrate A Giraffe’s 30th Birthday With Reid Park Zoo
Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 4:52 PM
Denver the giraffe is hitting a big milestone Friday, Feb. 1, and all of Tucson’s invited to her big party. Kicking off at 10 a.m, the zoo crew will welcome the public. The first 20 people in line at the event get to feed Denver a birthday biscuit.
The zoo keepers already celebrated the big day Thursday, Jan. 31 with browse laid out to read “30” and a giraffe biscuit cake holding 30 birthday carrot "candles."
Reid Park Zoo first met Denver back in 1990, when she first arrived just before her first birthday. Denver has since been a mom to four calves—two boys and two girls.
“Denver doesn’t know she’s a giraffe," said Reid Park Zoo Keeper Kelly. "Giraffes are skittish and very cautious by nature, but Denver will come right up to you. She’s very curious.”
According to the zoo, the median life expectancy of a female giraffe is 25. At 30, Denver is just a couple of months younger than the oldest giraffe in the nation. To keep Denver in her old age, her Keepers feed her high calorie food with lots of vitamins, and weigh her twice a week to make sure she's maintaining her weight. Denver's mother lived to be an estimated 32 years, so longevity seems to be a family trait.
In the giraffe habitat, guests can tell Denver apart from her companions because she is the smallest giraffe at the Zoo. Her spots are entirely filled in and she has a spot in the shape of an upside down heart on one of her shoulders.
The Reid Park Zoo is located at 3400 E. Zoo Court, and opens at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Reid Park Zoo Welcomes Oja the Andean Bear
Posted By Tucson Weekly Staff on Tue, Jan 29, 2019 at 3:36 PM
There’s a new resident at the Reid Park Zoo, and she’s come all the way from Switzerland. The zoo crew is currently in the process of welcoming Oja the Andean bear.
"Oja is an easy going and incredibly smart bear," said Dr. Alexis Moreno, Reid Park Zoo Veterinarian, in a release. "She has adjusted really well and is enjoying the enrichment the Animal Care Team has provided for her behind the scenes in the Animal Health Center."
Oja was born at Zoo Zürich in Zürich, Switzerland as part of its breeding program. According to Reid Park Zoo, Oja is “inquisitive and bold, and her favorite foods are peanuts, raisins and strawberries.” She’s currently getting used to her new surroundings behind-the-scenes at the zoo, and the public can meet Oja in March.
Bringing Oja to the zoo allows for an opportunity for Worf, Reid Park’s male Andean Bear, to a new companion.
Her fifth birthday is Saturday, Feb. 16.
"Oja is an easy going and incredibly smart bear," said Dr. Alexis Moreno, Reid Park Zoo Veterinarian, in a release. "She has adjusted really well and is enjoying the enrichment the Animal Care Team has provided for her behind the scenes in the Animal Health Center."
Oja was born at Zoo Zürich in Zürich, Switzerland as part of its breeding program. According to Reid Park Zoo, Oja is “inquisitive and bold, and her favorite foods are peanuts, raisins and strawberries.” She’s currently getting used to her new surroundings behind-the-scenes at the zoo, and the public can meet Oja in March.
Bringing Oja to the zoo allows for an opportunity for Worf, Reid Park’s male Andean Bear, to a new companion.
Her fifth birthday is Saturday, Feb. 16.
Staff Pick
Bach St. Matthew Passion
One of the most ambitious musical compositions of all time by the greatest musical genius of all… More
@ Catalina Foothills High School Auditorium
Sat., Feb. 23, 7:30-9 p.m.
4300 E. Sunrise Drive.
