Pima Animal Care Is Full, Will Host Emergency Large Dog Foster Event

TUCSON, AZ — Pima Animal Care Center is desperate to find temporary homes for 30-40 large adult dogs and is hosting an emergency foster event Friday morning in hopes of helping to alleviate the issue.

The shelter, along with other local shelters and rescues, has been full for some time. Every dog that can safely share a kennel has a kennel mate and the shelter's offices and meeting rooms are also full of dogs, according to a Facebook post from the shelter.

"We know the ask feels endless and we are so grateful that you have always stepped up to meet it," the shelter said in its post. "If you are able, we would love your help in getting through this one together too."

The foster event is set for 9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday in the shelter's community meeting room at 4000 N. Silverbell Road in Tucson. The event is aimed at people able and willing to immediately take in one or more of the shelter's large adult dogs. Most of them are pit bull mixes. You can sign up for the event here. The shelter team will take the information from your form and select a few potential canine matches for you, before you arrive to pick up your new friend Friday morning.

What to expect, according to the shelter:

• Pima Animal Care Center is looking for at least a 1-month foster commitment from those participating in the event.
• Basic supplies like a collar, leash and food will be provided.
• It will be an expedited event, with 20 minute time slots for each new foster parent.
• Kennels will not be open for browsing and there won't be time for dog introductions, so the shelter asks that foster pets be kept separate from your other pets.

You can find the shelter's optional foster orientation here and its full foster onboarding process here.