Poverty's Pets

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Poverty's Pets

Poverty's Pets rescues abandoned, neglected, and abused companion animals in low-income communities i
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Poverty’s Pets was incorporated in 2005 under the direction of the Founder and Animal Advocate, Kate Sivolella and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. With a mission of aiding abandoned, neglected, and abused companion animals in low-income and underserved communities, Poverty’s Pets also provides education programs and veterinary care services (including spay/neuter) to families in the low-incom

e areas of Phoenix, AZ. In addition to these initiatives, Poverty’s Pets partners with local schools to educate students on the respect and welfare for all beings, and to promote positive interactions between the dogs and students. Since 2008, Poverty’s Pets has facilitated the adoption of over 1000 animals, provides medical services (including spay and neuter) to over 800 each year. With a compassionate volunteer network, it is Poverty’s Pets goal to end animal cruelty, suffering, overpopulation and homelessness.

09/13/2024

Rescue work is hard. These last three weeks, overall, Poverty's Pets can pet ourselves on the back. We saved a lot of animals and also spayed and neutered dozens. But it is that one that slipped through the cracks that haunts. Maybe we should have been more aggressive in our attempt to secure her? She was just a puppy, exhibiting such fear, verbal fear... a howling sound, shaking, and peeing, but we were gaining her trust as the hours passed. We opted to let her sleep, safe under the carport. Late into the night, she slept soundly. When the sun rised, she was gone. It has been a week now, and we are still searching for her. She keeps us up at night, rethinking how we should have done things differently.

09/12/2024

Mona has left the building!! What a ride it has been for Mona! Left by her prior family to fend for herself, Mona now has a mama who loves her to the moon and back. Oh, how this was meant to be. Tori, Mona's now forever mom, made sure that we received her application, checking in often, eagerly waiting to hear back from us. This companionship was meant to be! Go live your best life, Mona. As we say, there is a lid for every pot. You found yours ❤️.

09/11/2024

As we carry heavy hearts today on the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, we are thankful to the first responders, many losing their lives saving others. Over 300 dogs worked endless hours in the aftermath, including Bretagne, pictured here giving her handler, Denise Corlis, a paw of encouragement. Bretagne passed away 8 years ago, the last of the living first responders canines. Today, we remember those who lost their lives, their families, and the many heroes in the aftermath.

#9/11

09/09/2024

We have had a busy couple of weeks! Yesterday, we transported both litters that were owner surrender. The property had 15 dogs, nine puppies from two different litters, kept outside... the whole situation was tough to swallow. A big THANK YOU to and for each taking a litter! These past two weeks, we have come across multiple animals in need. All are now in good hands, and safe. Grateful.

09/07/2024

In the last 48 hours, we have been back and forth to a property scrambling to remove two mama's and their pups from living conditions that are straight-up neglect, which is the definition of cruelty. A few days ago, a volunteer walked into an appliance shop and was greeted by the sounds of a puppy whining. The cries lead her to a tiny pup, panting away, without water in a refrigerator drawer. Obviously, a conversation preceded with the owner regarding the puppy. The owner informed the volunteer that he has 15 dogs and he brings a puppy to the shop, one at a time, to "get rid" of them. "How can I help?" he was asked. Within hours, we were given an address and access to his backyard. Of the 15 dogs, nine are puppies from two different mama's. The dogs are kept outside 24/7, and it is obviously their needs are not being met...there was no water in the kennels that housed the puppies and mama's, and it was so hot, even in the shade as the backyard was one gigantic concrete slab.

Yesterday, we removed one of the 8 week old pups for immediate medical treatment and the litter of newborns. We are desperately looking for rescue to help with these puppies and a few of the remaining dogs. It is hard to relax knowing that the other pups and mama are still at the property, but we simply have nonwhere for them to go. The owner promised to hold them and not bring anymore to his shop, as we scramble to find a rescue partner to take the 8 week pups and the 1 week pups and the nursing mama. All the dogs are littles, all so sweet, all were born to suffer. The owner wants to keep three of the dogs and will allow us to fix them. Please share this post. If you are a rescue and can help, please DM us. Thank you!

09/05/2024

Poverty's Pets and our PAWS initiative (Phoenix Animals Welfare Solutions) spoke yesterday in front of our elected lawmakers in regard to animal welfare in the City of Phoenix. We have been steadfast in our work, advocating for pet owner accountability, improved laws, and law enforcement. We are well aware that this work is a marathon... we are making progress and being heard.

09/04/2024

A week ago today we hosted our community free spay and neuter clinic. We see a lot of pets that simply lack confidence and our clinic is often the first time in front of a veterinarian. This five month pup was frozen in fear....she belly crawled, and she had a lot of bite wounds. After a chat with the owner, we strongly suggested that the owner consider rehoming the pup as the other dogs were attacking her. There were three remaining puppies (from a litter of 11) and the mama and papa, all outside dogs, in this heat, with little oversight. The situation was not ideal, and it was agreed that it was likely to escalate. When the owner asked us if we could help find a home for "Spot," we felt as though it was a now or never situation to literally save her from a short life of suffering. So here we are... Spot is now Frida, and we are so grateful to the foster who did not hesitate to open her arms to help Frida. Frida is so dang cute and is having the time of her life romping with her foster brother and staring lovingly at her foster mama. Frida no longer belly crawls in fear, rather she approaches with a body wiggle and tail wags. She has so much love to give and joy to share.

09/03/2024

We had a busy, busy weekend. Miley has left our care and is now residing in Tuscon. We are so grateful to for taking Miley into their care. Miley is settling in nicely with her foster family. She already has a few fur friends and a nice leather couch 😊. We will be following Miley's progress from afar, forever grateful to PWB. Thank you to all who helped Miley on this end of her journey... a moment of our time is a lifetime to Miley.

09/02/2024

Safe... we did not turn a blind eye.

09/01/2024

Known as "Stray" .... volunteers spotted him last night. He definitely needs help. We will be setting a trap.

08/30/2024

The wheels are in motion to help get this pooch off of the streets. We are working with to trap him, and we are so grateful that have committed to him once he is safe. The local residents refer to him as "Stray," and he has been roaming the streets for over a year. Yesterday, a concerned resident shared a story that Stray was "ripped apart pretty good" by her dogs when he jumped into her yard as she had a female in heat. She is constantly worried that he might enter her yard again. We are hopeful that Stray's days as a street dog are coming to an end. There are so many moving parts, but we are getting there. Stay tuned.

08/29/2024

You build it, they will come! For 18 years, like clockwork, Poverty's Pets have hosted our free monthly spay and neuter clinics. Our underserved communities are rampant with stray dogs and cats. The residents are STARVING for this much needed service. They beg us to come back to their block...and we do. But it ain't enough.

41 companion animals were sterilized today. Many medical needs were addressed, and as if we had any right, we took in a 4 month old pittie.

Thanks to all who make this happen, especially to those who live in these underserved communities. The rampant homeless dogs and cats are a community issue. The focus needs to be on where the dogs and cats are coming from that fill up our shelters. Enough already. It is exhausting.

08/27/2024

We are desperately trying to help this dog. We caught a pregnant pittie on Saturday that apparently, according to a few local residents, she had been finding shelter under an RV with the white dog. While in this neighborhood, passing out flyers for our upcoming spay and neuter clinic, two individuals approached us at different times, unrelated to one another, asking us if we could help "the white dog". Their stories were identical...the dog has been on the streets for over a year, and he really needs help. Calls to the Arizona Humane Society and County fell on deaf ears. "Can you help?"

These past 72 hours, we have established a feeding station under the RV. We have a pool set up that a caring resident runs her hose to. And by the way, we have a pregnant young dog that is about to give birth. We have nowhere for these dogs to go...

08/25/2024

She is safe! Last evening, Maria, the good Samaritan who had been leaving food and water, called to let us know that Miley (we named her) had wandered into her yard. Once we arrived, it took us a moment to assess Miley and safely transport her to a VERY temporary foster. Miley is extremely cautious, and she moves slowly as uncertainty surrounds her. She has some obvious wounds that allow us to understand her past... some healed, some raw. Rescue is a nine inning game. We are in inning one, with long innings in front of us. Yes, Miley is safe, but Poverty's Pets does not have the resources to take on what is needed to care for Miley and her puppies. We see situations like Miley's way too often. In fact, there are a slew of heartbreaking stray dogs where we found Miley. She was a 911, and over time, the others will be too.

For the next few days, Miley will decompress while we begin the process of reaching out to our rescue partners. Miley's journey has just begun. Thank you to those who helped Miley and to those who currently have your kind hands on her back. A moment of your time is a lifetime for her.

08/25/2024

This morning, volunteers hit the streets passing out flyers for our upcoming spay and neuter clinic. We came across a very pregnant dog that was too timid to allow us to catch her. As she found shade under an RV, we thought it would be best to establish a food and water station while we get a game plan together. We are grateful for a kind woman named Maria, who showed great concern for the dog. Maria ran her hose over the block wall so we could fill a pool, also informing us that she has been watering the dirt to help keep the dog cool. This pooch looks very sweet and very young. As she has a collar on, we assume she was once owned and now left to fend for herself. Stay tuned.

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08/17/2024

A moment of your time is a lifetime to them! Less than two weeks ago, we saw these two exhausted, filthy, stinky, and scared siblings bunkered down. They were finding a bit of shade under chairs on a property that they found access to. We did not hesitate... they needed relief from the heat, and it was obvious they were born to suffer. Once we wrangled them to safety.... then what?!?! A big thank you to our friends who took the timid pair into their care. Man, did they clean up well... AND....they are as sweet as can be! They are adorable little love bugs 💕. A moment of our time is a lifetime to them. Partnerships save lives.

08/14/2024

With heavy, heavy hearts, last week we unexpectedly said goodbye to our beloved Herman. Herman, along with his brother Cactus, were residents at the Columbus House since 2011. Affectionately known as the "feral boys," the brothers kept their distance from humans but were a gigantic comfort and a friend to the hundreds of rescues that passed through. They became our rescue partners, and we loved them dearly. When Cactus passed nearly five years ago, we were worried about Hermie as Cactus was the more confident of the two, seemingly always on the verge of allowing us to physically embrace him. Since Cactus' passing, Hermie continued his job at the Columbus House, showing our most broken rescues the ropes. He also began to embrace us, allowing for pets, ear scratches, baths and walks. The memories of Herman being fearful of humans became a blur as his final years we were always greeted with tail wags,
his sweet, happy face and a pat on his head.

A part of the Columbus House has died. A chapter has ended. Our condolences to Josh and Connie ...the joy in your voices sharing each accomplishment...Hermie's first walk, his first bath, how he cuddled on the couch, his favorite scratch spot...you loved him as your own and he felt it.

All dogs go to heaven. Together again, Cactus and Herman, the feral boys....we used to say, "You can look, but you just can't touch. "... What a joy it has been to touch you, Hermie, to hug you, to love you. Thank you for all your help, til the last day, truly. RIP, buddy.

08/13/2024

Mush! He has been in our care now for over two years! And yes, he is getting lots of love and attention in his current foster home but it is not his forever home. In fact, this is Mush's fourth foster in two years, and he has spent his share of time in boarding. Mush is approximately seven years old. He is a sweet pooch. His first five years were spent on a chain. Initially, once in our care, he was really anxious and a bit unsure of his new surroundings... but today....man, he gets it! He loves human touch, loves the couch, and is always within arms length ❤️. A big thank you to all who have had Mush in their care and to his current fosters. He is a happy pooch, but his journey is not complete. Sweet, smoochable Mush!

08/12/2024

Just over a week ago, our friend from reached out to us. A go-getter, a doer, and a partnership that we often rely on to help us with our rescues was in a 911 situation. It involved a woman who had fallen on hard times and was in need of immediate medical but refused to leave her dog. It is a heartwarming story that is still evolving. In Danielle's own words:

"I met Coco and her mom Thursday outside of Fry's. I was driving through the lot to park and something told me to put my car in reverse to check on them. I'm glad I did.
Coco and her mom have been houseless for a few months. Her mom had a pretty severe leg injury due to an infection initially caused by a spider bite. She couldn't go into the hospital because she didn't have a safe place for Coco. I gave them water, boots to Coco, some dog treats, and gave her my card in case she decided to go into the hospital and needed help.
I received a text early Saturday AM from an angel nurse, _mcdermott saying she had Coco and needed a place for her to go! Her mom had gone to the hospital and they were going to call MCACC to come get Coco, and she couldn't let that happen. Lexy and I made a plan & scooped Coco up!!
Coco's mom received a successful surgery. I talk to her often and assure her that Coco is ok and is safe with until she recovers. I am advocating with some amazing humans to get them both into housing so she can recover properly and get back on track. Can you imagine being outside with nowhere to go 24/7 when it is ~ 110° outside?
I post this story to remind you that kindness goes a long way. A simple "hello" could change someone's life. I'm glad I stopped to talk to this pair; I'm glad she gave my card to an amazing nurse. We were in the right place at the right time. I hope this story has a happy ending! Will keep you all updated."

Please follow for updates on Coco and her mom. Clothing donations are currently being collected. Thank you, Danielle and Lexy!

08/11/2024

Whelp, it is official. The adoption papers have been signed and delivered. Beauty is home! What a pleasure it has been to see this once scared, timid, and insecure pup become happy, confident, and a whole lot of fun. Your mom and dad are smitten to the moon for you, Beauty. Your best life has already begun. We loved being a part of your journey and are so happy you are home. So many fell in love with you along the way. Cheers to you, Beauty!

08/09/2024

We have become familiar faces to many pet owners since we launched our Pools for Pups program. This pictured dog was adopted from county two years ago. We snapped this photo a year ago, and the dog has always been tethered every time we swing by with a pool! HOWEVER, our last visit, just a few days ago, he was nowhere to be seen. As we have established a warm relationship with the owners, we did not hesitate to ask if he was okay. To our delight 😊, and the sounds of barking... he was INSIDE!! After a brief chat, the owner indicated it was a struggle to keep him comfortable, to keep him safe, to keep him alive, in this relentless heat. This bit of news fueled our tank and made our day.

Poverty's Pets is against tethering. It is cruel confinement, straight up. However, it is legal in our city, and thousands of dogs are tethered 24/7. Our brutal summers, with highs over 110° and lows on the 90's is extreme weather conditions. We will continue our work to change animal welfare laws and to curb the rampant animal suffering throughout our community.

08/08/2024

We spotted these two dogs bunkered down, under a chair on a private property. As there were no water bowls on the premises, our initial thought was that these pups were in survival mode. The young man who answered the door was quite surprised to see the dogs... he assured us that they were not his, nor his neighbors, who shared the same lot. "Their dog is always inside," he said. We are grateful to our friends , who took both dogs into their care soon after we were able to secure them. We can't wait to see them once they get the care they need and the love they deserve. These dogs had such a stench, bodies matted, and left to fend for themselves in this brutal heat. This madness is way too common in our underserved communities. Imagine always looking out your front door and seeing dogs and cats in desperate need of help. It is a common occurrence for those who reside in our underserved communities. We can do so much better.

08/08/2024

You build it, they will come! We built it, and they came!! What a day 👊. Today 48 companion animals will never contribute to this man made pet over-population epidemic. Spay days are by far the best use of our time and resources. It is easier to sterilize 48 companion animals than to find one a loving home. Thanks to all who make spay days possible, especially to those pet owners who understand the importance of spaying and neutering.

08/07/2024

Holy moly, we are busy doing our most important work 👉👉 SPAY AND NEUTER!
More later... back to work!

08/05/2024

We met some nice people and a really cute dog this past weekend. Our Pools for Pups program allows us to engage with pets owners, do a little bit of educating, and hand out pools that are literally life-saving in this relentless, brutal heat!

08/01/2024

About ten days ago, we were made aware of a homeless woman with two pups in a park where we do a lot of our community service. The woman informed us that she was fixing on letting the pups go free as she could not care for them. She had taken them from a "bad situation" and truly felt this option was better than where they came from. When we offered to take them, she did not hesitate! The pups were a bit shy, hungry, thirsty and hot, but otherwise in good health. A big THANK YOU to our friends at who worked with us as they made room to take these pups into their care. We are grateful!

07/30/2024

Thanks to the many who reached out regarding the kitten that was pulled from the dumpster! She found herself a home! Thank you, Melissa, for giving this little survivor a safe place to live out the rest of her 9 lives. She beat her odd, no doubt!

07/26/2024

Yesterday afternoon, in the neighborhood where we do much of our work, one of our volunteers thought she was hearing a cat in distress. After searching around and finding nothing, she headed home to retrieve her husband for a second set of ears. The dumpster! The cries were coming from the dumpster. The more trash they pulled, the closer the cries became. This sweet kitten, perhaps 5-6 months, is safe now and in our care. We can't help but assume that she might have been spayed at one of our recent feral cat clinics as we have been doing a lot of spay and neutering, focusing on these few blocks. We won't dare release her as the monster who buried her in the dumpster might get his criminal hands on her again.

As we do not have a shelter or the resources to keep her long-term, please reach out to us (DM) if you are looking to add a sweet kitty under your roof. She used one of her nine lives, but she has plenty more to go...what a sweet kitty she is. We are so grateful she is safe. She just needs a name and a forever home 😊

07/25/2024

The last two calls we made to the Arizona Humane Society on behalf of this dog were of the desperate kind. She was panting, flies abound, and she was distressed, baking in the heat. We have confirmed that the dog was NOT removed by AHS, and she remained on the chain despite our call specifically stating she needed medical help. In fact, according to the owner, the Arizona Humane Society said nothing about the black shepard when they arrived a few days after our desperate call. She was still tethered to the to a heavy chain, in solitary confinement, and they never went to assess her condition. Instead, they gave them 30 days to spay and neuter all 24 dogs on the property, or they would "call the police" without offering a stich of assistance. To the Arizona Humane Society, three years ago, when Poverty's Pets met with you, you told us directly to "stop calling on that dog." As the living conditions of "that" dog never improved, we continued to call. Our advocating did not help this dog, but we are hell-bent to see it through that this dog did not die in vien. And as for the remaining 24 dogs, there is no need to call the cops, as Poverty's Pets sterilized all of them.

To those reading this, please do not @ Poverty's Pets. We did everything legally available to us to try to help this dog, which ultimately could have saved her life. We placed calls to Phoenix Police and multiple calls and text messages to , Councilmember Pastor, where this property is located. Oh...and 22 calls to the Arizona Humane Society.
RIP... my god, we tried.

07/22/2024

What is the saying... timing is everything? These two pups were at a park in the neighborhood where we do a lot of our work. A homeless man had them and was so grateful to turn them over to a volunteer. They are safe now, and we will be reaching out to our rescue partners so they can continue their journey. Unfortunately, we were not able to gather more information as we would have sponsored her spay.

Address

PO Box 40112
Phoenix, AZ
85067

Website

http://www.povertyspets.org/

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Videos

#spayandneuter

We have a food and water station set where we initially saw this pooch last month, and last week. However, we did locate him this evening, and he was quite a few blocks from our food/water station. The elderly man who shares the lot where the shepard was informed us that he sleeps most nights under his truck. "He runs," he repeated. "We all try to help him." Our next step is to set a trap. He has a lot of wounds and walks with a limp. #povertyspets

Rango for president!!

We are grateful to @incredibullstella for her persistence in assisting to help with this outside only, pregnant gal. As previously mentioned in a prior post, Poverty's Pets had been working with the owner, and we had a spay lined up for her. It was at that time when the veterinarian realized the young dog needed further testing. Blood work revealed that she had a severe case of tick fever. Unfortunately, as she lives under the carport with an unaltered male, she became pregnant for a third (and final) time. The good news? She is in wonderful hands with @incredibullstella, and we are awaiting to hear back from @almostthererescue in hopes of landing her their mutternity. It has been a good week for this little gal, named Frances. She loves the pampering, the soft beds, and the air conditioning. Thank you, @incredibullstella! #teamwork

What a day! #spayandneuter #thisisphoenix

#AdoptaMush please share this Cowpoke ❤️He would make a great partner in crime 🤠. He’s wanted all over the state for lookin so good. #adoptdontshop

Sunday Funday you say?!?! How about EVERYDAY for Beauty and Cher. Both of these youngsters are looking for their forever home. They are such sweet dogs, each with a story of survival. #AdoptBeauty #AdoptCher #PovertysPets

Thanks team, thanks pet owners. @theladyegg #communityservice #spayandneuter #PovertysPets

Thank you, @theladyegg , for your talents! Columbus House mural number two! Let's do this again! #alldogsgotoheaven #theferalboys #shine #columbus #theladyegg #community

We spoke to the owner of three of the dogs. He is willing to get them sterilized. He claims the other three dogs that come and go are not his. The sweet mama brindle is his and "she keeps having puppies," so he says. We will make arrangements to get them all fixed with proper aftercare. We did confirm that the large shepard/husky pup is one of Maya's pups. We removed Maya and two of the three remaining puppies this summer from deplorable living conditions. At that time, the owner told us, "I want him" and now, apparently, he is a stray. #ThisIsPhoenix #FixTheRoof #PovertysPets

We were able to talk to a few people who feed the dogs. We are going to arrange to get these dogs sterilized. #ThisIsPhoenix #FixTheRoof #PovertysPets

Our friends @thetheodoreaz will be collecting pet related donations for us until the end of the year. We sincerely appreciate them for thinking of our little grass roots organization. What we can’t use, we will pay forward at our community spay and neuter clinic. They also have many tasty beers you can enjoy there or take home.

Another day in Phoenix, AZ... just a stone throw from our State Capital, where our lawmakers turn a blind eye to our pet over-population crisis. Passing out flyers for our upcoming spay and neuter clinic, we are literally tripping over free roaming dogs. We need, as a community, focus on where the animals are coming from #FixTheRoof #ThisIsPhoenix

We have reached out to our rescue partner, @harttaz, to see if they can help. The free roaming dogs, many owned throughout our underserved neighborhoods, is a community issue. The focus needs to be on prevention. It is as if there is a gigantic hole in the ceiling, and we are frantically mopping the floors and moving buckets. We need to fix the roof. #FixTheRoof #ThisIsPhoenix