Animal Care and Control

Maricopa County, Arizona, plays a vital role in the welfare of animals, offering comprehensive services through its Animal Care and Control (MCACC) division. With a strong commitment to animal welfare, the department works tirelessly to ensure that both animals and humans in the region live in a safe and healthy environment. This article will explore the different services offered by Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, including pet adoptions, animal sheltering, public education, and much more. It will also provide insights into the organization's operations and how local residents can get involved.

Overview of Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC)

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) is one of the largest open-admission animal shelters in the United States. Located in Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale, MCACC provides shelter, adoption, and animal control services to the entire county. The department focuses on helping lost, surrendered, and stray animals, working to ensure they find safe and loving homes.

MCACC operates two main shelters and a mobile adoption center, providing essential services to over 300,000 animals every year. The organization strives to improve the lives of animals through adoption, fostering, and educational programs. It is essential for animal lovers in Maricopa County to understand the services provided by the MCACC to better support animal welfare in the region.

Adoption Services: Finding Your New Best Friend

The adoption services offered by Maricopa County Animal Care and Control are an essential aspect of their mission. The MCACC regularly holds adoption events and provides a range of animals for adoption, including dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. The department’s adoption centers make it easy for prospective pet owners to find a pet that suits their family’s needs.

Where to Adopt:

East Shelter (Mesa)
Address: 1920 S. Lewis, Mesa, AZ 85210
Phone: 602-506-7387

West Shelter (Phoenix)
Address: 2500 S. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009
Phone: 602-506-7387

Everyday Adoption Center (Scottsdale)
Address: 4380 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 602-506-7387

The shelters offer low adoption fees, which often include spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and microchips for the pets. For those who prefer to meet their potential pets outside the shelter environment, the Everyday Adoption Center inside PetSmart provides a convenient location for browsing adoptable pets.

To adopt a pet from the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, simply visit their shelter locations, or check out their online pet adoption portal to view available animals.

Foster Program: Helping Animals in Need

Another essential program provided by MCACC is the foster care program. This program helps animals that need special care, such as those recovering from illness or injury, puppies or kittens too young for adoption, or animals that need time away from the shelter for socialization. Fostering an animal is an important way to support the shelter, and it allows more animals to find homes faster.

How to Get Involved in Fostering:

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control encourages individuals and families to consider fostering animals. The program not only helps the animals but also supports the shelter in keeping its numbers manageable. Fosters provide a loving and temporary environment for animals until they are ready for adoption.

Interested individuals can find more information about the program on the MCACC website or contact the shelter for details on becoming a foster parent for a pet in need.

Community Education and Support Services

One of the key missions of Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is to educate the public about responsible pet ownership. The department offers a wide range of educational materials and outreach programs, which aim to prevent pet overpopulation, promote proper pet care, and increase awareness of animal welfare issues.

Public Health and Rabies Control

MCACC is also involved in controlling the spread of rabies through vaccination programs and educating the public on the importance of vaccinating their pets. Residents can contact MCACC for guidance on rabies vaccinations, including information on licensing pets and obtaining the necessary vaccinations to protect both pets and the community.

Licensing: Ensuring the Safety of Pets and the Community

Pet licensing is a critical service provided by Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. By requiring pet owners to license their dogs, MCACC helps keep track of pets in the area and ensures that they are up-to-date on essential health requirements like rabies vaccinations. Licensing also plays a crucial role in reuniting lost pets with their owners.

Pet owners can obtain a dog license through the MCACC website or in person at any of the shelters. Additionally, the MCACC has partnered with DocuPet to simplify the licensing process, making it easier for residents to manage and renew their pets’ licenses online.

Animal Control Services: Keeping the Community Safe

The Animal Control field team plays a vital role in maintaining public safety. These officers handle animal-related incidents in the community, including stray animals, animal cruelty cases, and more. If a resident encounters an animal issue, they can contact MCACC’s Animal Control team for assistance.

For any animal-related concerns, including emergency or non-emergency situations, residents should reach out to the MCACC’s Animal Control Field Team for support.

Volunteer Opportunities: Getting Involved

Volunteerism is an important part of the work MCACC does. Volunteers assist with a variety of tasks, from helping with adoption events to providing socialization and exercise for shelter animals. Those interested in volunteering can sign up through the MCACC’s volunteer portal, offering a meaningful way to contribute to the well-being of animals in Maricopa County.

Volunteer Opportunities Include:

Helping animals adjust to shelter life
Assisting with adoption events and community outreach
Walking and socializing shelter dogs
Supporting the administrative needs of the shelter

Ways to Help: Donations and Support

For those who are unable to adopt or volunteer, donating to the MCACC is another great way to help. The shelter accepts financial contributions, as well as donations of supplies, such as pet food, bedding, toys, and more. These donations directly support the shelter’s mission and help ensure that animals receive the care they need.

Animal Care and Control Shelters in Maricopa County

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control operates several locations to ensure comprehensive care and services for animals throughout the region. Below is the contact information for the key MCACC locations:

West Shelter
Address: 2500 S. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009
Phone: 602-506-7387

East Shelter
Address: 1920 S. Lewis, Mesa, AZ 85210
Phone: 602-506-7387

PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center
Address: 4380 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 602-506-7387

Animal Control Field Team
Phone: 602-506-7387

Rabies & Public Health
Phone: 602-747-7500

These locations serve as hubs for animal care and control activities, providing resources and services for both animals and the public. Whether you’re looking to adopt a pet, volunteer, or simply learn more about animal welfare, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is committed to supporting the community and its four-legged residents.

For additional details or to get involved, visit the official Maricopa County Animal Care and Control website.

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control FAQs

How Can I Adopt a Pet from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control?

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) offers a straightforward adoption process. You can visit one of the shelter locations—East Shelter in Mesa, West Shelter in Phoenix, or the Everyday Adoption Center inside PetSmart in Scottsdale. They often have low adoption fees, which include spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping. For more convenience, you can also browse adoptable pets online through the MCACC portal. Visit the adoption page for more details.

What Are the Requirements for Pet Licensing?

In Maricopa County, dog owners are required to license their pets to ensure the community's safety and facilitate the reunification of lost pets. Licensing helps ensure pets are vaccinated against rabies and are up-to-date on health requirements. Pet owners can obtain a dog license through the MCACC website or in person at any of the shelter locations. For an easier process, MCACC has partnered with DocuPet to offer online licensing services. More information on how to apply can be found on the dog licensing page.

How Can I Volunteer at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control?

Volunteering is an essential part of supporting Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. Volunteers assist with tasks such as animal socialization, adoption events, and shelter support. If you’re interested in helping out, you can sign up through the MCACC volunteer portal. Becoming a volunteer allows you to contribute directly to improving the lives of shelter animals in the community. To learn more, check out the volunteer page.

What Should I Do If I Find a Lost Pet?

If you come across a lost pet in Maricopa County, the first step is to check for identification, such as a microchip or collar with contact information. You can report found pets to MCACC and bring them to a shelter to be reunited with their owner. MCACC also provides resources for pet owners to report lost animals. For guidance on how to handle a lost or found pet, visit the Lost or Found Pet page.