Seeing and hearing the success stories from the Caregivers of the outdoor cat colonies is proof of the extremely important work of ADLA and the Spay/Neuter hotline.
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Working and volunteering in the Animal Welfare field for over 20 years, I have seen the great need for TNR services in our communities. Prior to working with the ADLA spay/neuter hotline, I have always supported TNR and referred the public to the program for assistance. But not until I became aware of the inner workings of the organization, did I realize the huge impact we are making. The collaboration between caregivers, volunteers, veterinary staff, ADLA staff and supporters is truly inspiring. I am honored to be a part of this great program.
This remarkable organization extends its support and services throughout Arizona, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to the community. Over the years, they've facilitated thousands of essential spay/neuter surgeries for animals in need and played a crucial role in advancing policies and legislation aimed at animal protection. I am sincerely grateful for their dedication and service.
Dear AZ Outdoor Cat Lover,
The help I received from the Arizona Defence League of Animals to address our neighborhood feral cat situation was just what we needed. Our family was alarmed when 5 weaned kittens showed up together last fall. We got to know them a little bit and by testing how hungry they were, we started feeding them more often. It was clear they were feral. By the Spring of the following year (2022) they started bringing their kittens to our yard as a safe place to rear them. We were thrilled with their antics.
However, we saw the writing on the cat tree, so to speak, and through the feral cat instructions on the Maricopa.gov website, got in touch with the ADLA. Their process was simple and easy to implement. Since our outdoor feral cats were so used to our patio as a feeding spot, we had instant success. On the first try, we had 8 cats in 5 traps. I had to rush out for more traps upon delivering them to the vet hospital! Same thing with the second try, very successful. One kitten received eye surgery for an ongoing, horrible infection and another received a leg amputation from an assumed mauling that had happened earlier that same week. I haven’t prayed so hard in a long time as waiting for that injured kitten to spring her trap. Stars aligned and the amputee kitten was taken home by a vet student to foster. Now with just two efforts, we had 14 cat’s spayed or neutered and vaccinated.
Only one cat remained, she is one of the original five, now an adult, and had one litter in the Spring. She is very smart and avoided all the traps to date. I was impressed that our ADLA contact noticed this missing cat from the first TNR count and advised me about trying a drop trap. She kept in touch with me to ensure a trap "depot" volunteer in my area would be available. I was very nervous the night of the trap. I had only one shot and if it didn’t work, she’d never trust the trap again. I was stunned that it worked perfectly. My husband helped me sort out all the cats from the drop trap as once again, the trap had caught several. Her spay the next morning went like clockwork and I released her 24 hours after that.
The system of volunteers, their timely response to set vet appointments, obtain the traps and patient advice made this process extremely easy. We now have a set colony of 15 cats who come and go, lounge on the cat-couch on our patio and play the game of who-is-watching-who, through our patio sliding glass door. I would highly recommend the ADLA and its process to address any outdoor cat population issue. I am also very impressed with the traps themselves. Ingenious and easy to use!
It should also be noted that there is no way my family could afford the usual rate for the spay/neuter of 15 cats. Even one regular-price spay/neuter is outside of our careful budget. The monthly cat food bill has already increased significantly. So it was another pleasant surprise when I asked the vet center discharge representative about payment. I wanted to double check to be sure. She thought I was asking about "pain management," and I said no, "is there a pay-ment due?" I had some anxiety asking this but we would do what had to be done. So it was nice to see her smile and say that there was no payment owed.
I absolutely endorse ADLA for the annual Top Award. We no longer have the anxiety of possibly having 100 feral cats in our neighborhood by next Spring! We were amazed at the efficiency and care of the volunteers at every step; from considerately scheduling phone calls, supplying directions that worked (*the first time*) and the return of healthy animals. The ADLA non-profit is definitely very well organized, has a system that works and it would be a pleasure to work with them again.
Sincerely,
The Griefer Family
Peoria, Arizona
ADLA - where do I begin. I've been familiar with ADLA for the last 10 years. I've volunteered at a spay/neuter clinic and brought in community cats for spay/neuter. They are a simple and focused organization. No frills or fancy dazzling logo or website - they are to the point and provide resources for the community to make a difference. It's clear they try to make the process as easy as possible for the animals, volunteers and the community creating a win-win situation.
Everyone I've worked/volunteered with has been very knowledgeable and dedicated to the purpose of the organization. ADLA is a humble group of volunteers that stay on track and are willing to adjust as times and resources shift. I feel confident that when I donate or give my time to ADLA it's going in the right direction to help my community. Thank you ADLA for all the hard work.
ADLA and the Spay Neuter Hotline have been invaluable in helping us control the large feral cat population in our neighborhood. Over the years, my neighbor and I have periodically trapped the cats in the colony and, with the help of the Hotline, have been able to spay and neuter almost all of them. The process of scheduling the trapping and surgeries is easily completed online or via email, and the staff is very efficient at helping us. We really could not have done this work without them.
The Animal Defense League of Arizona is an incredible, model organization. Their main project , a trap, neuter, return program for outdoor cats is very efficient and professional in "TNR ing" over 10,000 cats every year in Maricopa County alone. They also provide referrals in other counties. Their leadership and staff are among the most knowledgeable in the country on all things cat related and are the go to resource for pet owners, neighborhood activists, shelters, cities, counties, legislators, reporters, educators. They work to protect animals of all kinds including wildlife. They are active in educating the public on local issues affecting animals. Their best practices should be a model nationwide to protect and improve the lives of animals!
ADLA is so committed to helping reduce the suffering of outdoor cats through their TNR efforts. ADLA is a great resource, and there is no other organization like them.
Stephanie has almost single handedly gotten over 30 cats in my neighborhood (Roosevelt district) trapped and fixed in order to keep the population under control.
This means no more abandoned kittens who either die or overburden the limited resources of those who work hard to take in newborns and tirelessly feed and nurture them in the hopes that they'll find homes.
Stephanie is an absolute asset to not only our neighborhood, but to the dozens of abandoned and outside animals who might have far less healthy lives without her. I for one am grateful for her work and expertise - as well as her generosity in helping people who are feeding our neighborhood feline friends.
Thank you!
Had a barn over run with cats kittens everywhere..finally had a manageable amount when the animal league helped me fix 15 of my cats..we are now a very happy barn, most of which have become friendly and looking for love...don't know what I would have done..they were out of control..thanks animal league
ADLA is doing a wonderful job with the TNR program! This is so important to curtail the overpopulation of animals who would otherwise be subject to suffering and starvation. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to carry out this on-going task, but ADLA does it with a lot of love and care. Our family loves ADLA!
I had an elderly couple call and ask me for help. They had around 50 cats to spay and neuter. ADLA helped me set up all clinic times, and provided help getting the traps. With the help of my boyfriend, we trapped 49 cats in 3 days.
All the people at ADLA are great! From setting up clinics, getting traps, checking in, and everyone behind the scenes!
I have been volunteering with ADLA for several years now to help reduce the massive cat overpopulation problem in Arizona. There is no way I could have sterilized as many cats without their financial assistance and low cost TNR clinics. The colonies I feed would be completely out of control with massive numbers of cats causing major community frustration. I have helped countless caregivers who were disabled and could not do the trapping themselves or people totally overwhelmed and paralyzed by the sheer number of cats. There is no way this could have been done without this group. From lending traps, educating, scheduling low cost vet appts, and financial assistance, they have been the cornerstone of the TNR movement in Arizona.
For the past couple years I have helped trap and transport feral cats around the East Valley. We started with "our" colony of cats, but found the experience so rewarding we have also helped others with "their" colonies. On a couple of occasions we have been asked by ADLA to assist people in need who were unable to trap on their own. It is a honor to be able to help ADLA in their mission. They are generous and caring volunteers. Good people!
FW Chandler
Very rewarding trapping feral cats. This group makes it easy to get the traps and supplies you need for trap/neuter/return. If you don't know how to do it they will teach you. We need more groups like this.
The Animal Defense League of Arizona is one of the most active groups in the state working to ensure the safety and welfare of all animals. They have helped so many animals over the years whether it be spaying and neutering or protecting wildlife. They consistently do all they can everyday, year after year. One of my favorite organizations!
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ADLA(The Animal Defense League of Arizona) is truly an asset to people who care for and about ALL animals.
ADLA is involved in several areas of animal- related concerns including, but not limited to:
Legislation, animal cruelty, TNR , community outreach and shelter/rescue issues.
My most recent personal experience with ADLA occurred earlier this year when several local animal advocates/rescue groups and I were attempting to prevent the reintroduction of a previously-banned aerial fireworks bill from being passed in the Arizona Legislature.
ADLA was instrumental in the defeat of this dangerous and unnecessary legislation.
Thank you ADLA!
ADLA is amazing and does great work to help the cats and people in our community. They have assisted us with the TNR of a barn cat colony that was getting out of control. The entire process was very easy and everyone was so nice and cared about the cats. They are such a great resource!
When I found a colony of over 12-cats in an alley a few blocks from my house I felt overwhelmed. Most of the cats were Calico thus female and to prevent an explosion of kittens, i needed help. I was referred to the ADLA from a posting I placed on Neighborhoods (Nextdoor) when I was seeking help. A member of the ADLA that happened to live nearby, helped me trap seven of the female cats and arranged the appointment at the spray-and-neuter clinic. The TNR was a complete success and now the alley colony has stabilized in population. The ADLA is a very well organized and helpful. It's good to know there is help out there when needed. Bart - Phoenix
As a longtime volunteer in dog and cat rescue, I know the importance of spaying and neutering pets, and using Trap, Neuter, and Return to prevent the birth of homeless kittens on our streets. ADLA is a leader in providing Trap, Neuter and Return services and spay/neuter of pets, helping outdoor cats, caregivers, pets, and families throughout our communities.
ADLA taught me everything I needed to know about TNR and getting control of the number of stray/feral cats in my neighborhood. They made it very easy with continued help, and still help me to this day. I suggest them to people in my neighborhood and friends who are also having so many cats reproducing. They lend out the traps and gave me specific help on trapping. Their instructions helped me catch 4 cats/kittens on the first try and I was only scheduled to trap 3. They helped me catch 2 more the next week. I am still working with them to catch another 2 that started hanging around. I cannot say enough good things about ADLA. I cannot imagine how bad the feral/stray reproducing situation would be without ADLA’s help.
I've been involved in TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) and supporting community cat colonies for over five years. None of it would be possible without the services ADLA provides. From the ease of scheduling appointments to the low cost spay/neuter and the tireless efforts of all involved.
I am in a neighborhood with a fairly large feral cat population. Since June, I have been able to TNR 13 cats, 3 of which were kittens. I was successful each time I trapped. In the past, I had poor results. I donated to ADLA, and through a very nice thank you letter, got in contact with Jacqueline. She has been my rock, my mentor, my cheering committee. She has educated me by sharing research and hints that have helped her trap. This made the process infinitely easier. My challenge is my neighbor. He happily feeds cats, but isn't proactive in stabilizing this colony. In fairness, he has improved. He no longer feeds while I trap. It saddens and frustrates me that there are so many cats on the streets who desperately need intervention. I have such great admiration for those at ADLA who consistently work toward this humane effort. They show by their actions that they truly love animals.
I've been a long time volunteer with Animal Defense League of Arizona, which has been in the trenches to protect companion animals, farm animals, wildlife, animals in laboratories and entertainment since 1987. ADLA’s largest program is the Spay Neuter Hotline which Traps, Neuters, and Returns around 15,000 cats annually in Maricopa County.
I've primarily been involved in ADLA's legislative program which works to pass legislation to protect Arizona’s animals and to stop bills that would harm animals. Over past legislative sessions ADLA and other groups helped to stop several measures that would have removed farm animals from protection under our state animal cruelty laws. We also work to stop bills to weaken Arizona’s public initiative process, which is the single most important tool for protecting animals. Thanks to citizen initiatives, Arizona voters banned traps and poisons on public lands, cockfighting, and the inhumane confinement of farm animals.
This year the Arizona Legislature passed a significant bill that strengthens penalties for egregious animal abuse. ADLA and its partner groups worked tirelessly over the last four years to pass this legislation which helps protect not only animals, but families and communities throughout our state.
I'm proud to be a part of a nonprofit group that devotes well over 90% of donations to program services. No organization is able to do so much for animals with so little, thanks to our many volunteers who generously give their time for animals. Thank you, ADLA!
ADLA provides TNR assistance services for community (feral) cats with its Spay Neuter Hotline program. They work with people to trap, neuter and return feral cats - a population that most animal rescues don’t deal with. ADLA plays a critical role in reducing the community cat population working constantly to publicize the need to TNR these cats. In addition, ADLA works to defend all animals in need throughout Arizona and joins with other groups to facilitate positive change. I have known and worked with many of the people who volunteer and work for ADLA. Their commitment to positive change for these animals is outstanding.
They were great. They loaned me a trap and Jacquline showed up on a Saturday night to help me. I was able to trap momma cat and her 3 kittens. They are great people and go out of their way to help people and animals.
I have had multiple cats living with me over the years – all coming from rescue organizations. Although I realized that there were community cats all around, I hadn’t thought about how they lived, who took care of them and if they got neutered/spayed. Since finding out about ADLA, the actual statistics and process of taking care of these cats became clear. ADLA’s community cat program assists people with TNR (trap/neuter/return) of 15,000 cats a year. This seems like a lot but there are more in the community than can be assisted. ADLA works with individuals to assist with the process, finding clinics that will TNR at a high-volume and low cost and then monitoring the colonies after surgery. Cities and Homeowner Associations also work with ADLA to maintain programs that assist their residents with TNR in their neighborhoods. All in all, ADLA has successfully initiated and maintained a solution to a huge problem. I support ADLA and will continue to recommend and support them whenever I can.
Everytime I need help the animal defense league of Arizona has always been there for me. I recently picked up a really sick cat with no eyes and I contacted them for help and right away they replied to me and helped me. Now the cat will survive and be able to live a happy healthy life because of the defense league I'm so grateful for their team they are amazing!! They have also helped me to TNR my colony in my neighborhood and because of that I was able to get the babies and find them homes after they were fixed. They are saving lives everyday and I'm so happy to be able to help and be able to work with such an amazing organization and group of people.
ADLA is the go-to provider of trap-neuter-return of feral cats for all of Greater Metropolitan Phoenix. As part of this role, ADLA conducts high volume spay/neuter clinics with the local veterinary school. This program exposes future veterinarians to the process, and the importance, of trap-neuter-return in the humane control of feral cat populations.
ADLA is also very impactful in promoting animal-friendly legislation, regulation, and policy at all levels of government.
After being actively involved with trap-neuter-return (TNR) in Michigan, New York, and Hawaii, I came to Arizona looking to get involved. I found ADLA online and reached out to volunteer. I quickly found myself immersed in the world of TNR and outdoor cats once again, but this time it was different. ADLA, a group of few employees and limited volunteers, does the work of (above and beyond) many larger organizations in other states - offering coaching, traps, and completely covering the coordination with veterinary clinics to connect cat caregivers with surgery appointments. Some states I've lived in didn't have programs at all and many community members were left to figure things out on their own, which is a frustrating and discouraging place to find yourself in. In many other communities, this is a job that no one dares to take on. However, it is an extremely necessary project not only for the welfare of outdoor cats, but for the environment, native species in the area, community health, and property value. ADLA takes all of these reasons into consideration and operates as a resource for community members to step up and get involved in their neighborhoods for the cats and people that live in it. Spay and neuter resources are extremely important and are often unorganized (and sometimes undervalued) in other states. ADLA is a nonprofit of small size with few people operating it behind the scenes. Taking into account the sheer number of cats it can spay/neuter per year (13,000-15,000 annually - not to mention the number of prevented kitten births!) it is incredibly amazing to see the work that they can accomplish. We all wish that there would be no unwanted cats, that all pet owners would fix their pets, and that all cats would have a loving home - however, TNR is the best solution for the health of the communities, outdoor cats, and to work towards that goal. ADLA is the reason our community can accomplish so much. Like any nonprofit, ADLA relies on donations and the support of the community. PLEASE get involved, fix your pets, and support this organization. I don't think people realize what it would be like to not have ADLA as a resource. I unfortunately do, and I'm telling you how lucky you have it! If you want to see ADLA and trap-neuter-return (TNR) succeed in Maricopa County get involved, volunteer your time, and consider donating. Please think about how much more ADLA would be able to accomplish with your help. If you have participated in this way already, thank you! Maricopa County should be proud to support a group like ADLA because not every city is lucky enough to have an organization like it. I am definitely proud of all of the community members that have participated, volunteers, and staff that make this organization successful.
animal defense league of Arizona houses the largest trap neuter return program in Arizona along with a database of low cost spay neuter clinics in the valley.i have utilized their services personally to control the cat population in my community and refer others to them so they can do the same. The work they do for domestic and wild animals is much needed and utilized in our community
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I have fixed many cats in my neighborhood now with the help of the Animal Defense League of Arizona, and I'm still amazed by the work they do. It's not easy work, but they fill a very necessary need in the community. Without them, there would be many, many kittens born in the Phoenix area. There would be many community members like me that want to help but don't know what do do. Please support them whether you like cats or not because they are so important to the community. There is no other group in this area like them.
Arizona's pet population would be in dire straits without ADLA. Great leadership & dedicated volunteers make ADLA one of the most well run rescues around.
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The Animal Defense League of Arizona is a vital resource in the animal welfare community. They work with both the general public & shelters to provide the much needed Trap, Neuter & Release program for out kitty population. ADLA has saved thousands of lives through their hard work & compassion.
ADLA's Spay/Neuter Hotline and Trap/Neuter/Release programs have got to be national models---so effective at reducing the number of unwanted animals, so efficient and helpful to those of us who might otherwise want to look the other way. Other programs provide solid information about relevant animal issues in our community---what a great professional resource. Thanks ADLA!
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I can't say enough good things about Animal Defense League of Arizona. They are informed, efficient, and get things done by working well with a variety of people in the community. Their TNR program is currently helping to control the feral cat population at Beatitudes Campus and their help is so appreciated by our community. Two thumbs up!
This charity was amazing. I was able to have 2 of the stray cats spayed through their organization at no charge. they also connected me to the vet that helped me get the kittens of the 2 strays neutered and spayed.
I have neighbors who have participated in ADLA's TNR program. By having trapped, neutered and returned the feral or homeless cats to the neighborhood, they will have reduced the cat population over time. ADLA is willing to help people that have an overpopulation of cats in their neighborhoods.
Animal Defense League of Arizona is a very wonderful program that helps our strays. They set up appointments with reputable vet clinics in your area that will spay./neuter cats at a very reasonable cost. They have what they call "trap depots" in various areas that will loan out the traps at no cost to you. Please continue to support this program as they are doing an excellent job in controlling the population of cats in your area.
Their efforts to reduce the feral cat population is outstanding--it is the only way to stop an increase in he stray cat problem and at least eliminate further breeding without resorting to euthanasia
Animal Defense League of Arizona is an amazing dedicated group of people who care about animal welfare. They host a Spay Neuter Hotline for TNR of feral cats and have helped 10s of thousands of cats if not more.
Well run organization that assists Arizonans and their animals. Community cat TNR program provides free service to many areas in Phoenix to help neuter stray/feral cats.
This is a fantastic organization that offers help to communities with a humane solution of sterilization of outdoor cats.
ADLA plays a critical role in our community by providing TNR and spay/neuter resources that would otherwise be non-existent. I have supported, recommended, and utilized the services they provide over the years and will continue to do so.
Stray cats ! Community cats ! Feral cats ! Whatever you call them - We see them everywhere. What do you do ?
You can't take them home but you want to help. The most successful method of reducing the number of stray, community, feral cats is TNR. Trap, Neuter, Return !
Trap the cat, neuter the cat, and then return the cat to where it lived - to its area called a "colony".
But how do you do it and where do you go for help. One of the most successful programs of the Animal Defense League of Arizona (ADLA) is running the Spay-Neuter Hotline and the TNR program.
Since 2009, ADLA has facilitated the TNR of 100,00 cats. They supply the training, assist in trapping, provide humane traps, referrals to veterinarians, assistance in maintaining a colony and all sorts of information on saving cats.
ADLA also provides assistance and info on all manner of questions and referrals for spaying and neutering of pet cats.
They do this with only 5 staff members and hundreds of volunteers who are committed to reducing the number of community cats and protecting all animals in Arizona.
They do this with 90 cents out of every dollar raised going to program services and 65 cents of those expenses going to spay-neuter surgery costs.
Other programs work to raise citizen awareness of animal programs and concerns within the state.
I have worked in Maricopa County government for the last 21 years. My last 15 years was with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. That experience provided me with the insight to see the things that could be done to improve the lives of animals in Arizona.
After I retired, I decided that ADLA was the organization that could make a lasting impact in improving and saving the lives of animals in Arizona. I am honored to serve on its Board of Directors as its newest member.
Nancy Harris
Scottsdale, Arizona
ADLA works tirelessly to help defend the voiceless of Arizona’s animals ranging from community cats to wolves to protection of farm animals. Most of my experience has been working with ADLA and their TNR program at their spay neuter clinic that is held 2 times a month. They are on a mission to end the needless suffering of community cats and most importantly educate the community as to help get this under control in their own community. I’m amazed as to how ADLA is able to get the community involved. They are a very worthwhile organization and I always recommend them if people have questions.
This organization is passionately dedicated to all animals in all situations. They are the eyes and ears of animal advocates and the precious animals of Arizona. They work tirelessly through their Spay Neuter Hotline helping thousands of Arizona’s outdoor cats and managing the cat population. Their volunteers and few staff members are amazing and all have the heart for this work.
I am so amazed at the passion, dedication and expertise that ADLA's staff and volunteers bring to our state! Its Spay Neuter Hotline is a leader in Pet and Outdoor Cat spay/neuter. Through many coalitions ADLA leverages its resources and experience to protect the interests of more of Arizona's animals!
I think ADLA is such a wonderful and very necessary organization to curtail the overpopulation of free roaming and stray cats. They have been instrumental in getting thousands of cats spay and neutered and they do this all with donations of which there are never enough and some grants. Not only does their effort result in keeping the population of these animals down, it also makes a better life for them.
God bless all the hard working people at ADLA and all the volunteers. A project of this magnitude could not be accomplished without their real dedication. I wish I could donate much more to this organization because it is so necessary and it helps cats and humans alike. This helps all the communities in the Valley of the Sun. GO ADLA!
I got involved with this organization in the early 90's because of my concern with the issue of overpopulation of companion animals. I am so impressed with ADLA's continuing dedication to this issue through the Spay/Neuter Hotline which provides information to the community on spaying and neutering and referrals for low cost surgeries. ADLA also promotes TNR as a way to control the large population of feral cats in Maricopa County. It's very rewarding to volunteer at the Sunday s/n clinic to see how many caring people bring in feral cats for surgery! ADLA also supports all issues concerning the humane treatment of animals and I don't hesitate to donate because I know my donation is used to help animals.
I receive many solicitations from charities, and I am careful about which ones receive my donations. When I give to the Animal Defense League of Arizona, I know that my donation won't be wasted on high salaries and overhead but instead will be used to fund programs I care about.
I've been involved with ADLA in one way or another for more than 15 years now. I'm so impressed with how much they get done both legislatively and practically (via their Spay/Neuter program) with really smart use of a limited budget. ADLA's compassion-oriented focus also makes their overall approach very friendly and accessible. Not once have I ever gotten a whiff of extremism from any aspect of their various programs.
We started our membership many years before the organization developed the name ADLA; a grass roots team that made effective changes for humane treatment of animals, as well as safeguarded the rights of citizens to create initiatives. ADLA is most effective (state wide) in protecting animals from being abused by those who do not respect the value of other species. That is, ADLA created the means to stop cruelty to animals in Arizona, as well as preserved the rights of citizens to continue protecting Arizona's animals, contrary to what our "beloved" state legislators would like! Yes, we are proud life long members of a great organization that focuses their efforts on "What is right" for all Arizona animals as well as Arizona citizens.
Over the last 3 years I've had the pleasure to work with many wonderful people at the Animal Defense League (ADLA). They have all been extremely helpful. I have seen that they truely care about the animals and for us volunteers who are trying to help! Thank you for being there ADLA!,
The Animal Defense League of Arizona works tirelessly to help the domestic and wild animals of Arizona. Their Spay Neuter Hotline and Trap, Neuter, Return programs also benefit the people of our state by providing low or no cost options to spay and neuter companion animals and providing low and no cost options for spaying and neutering free roaming or feral cats to help lower the number of cats without homes. I am proud to be a long time donor and volunteer of Animal Defense League of Arizona. It's been my pleasure to work along side their dedicated staff and volunteers.
the most caring people i have ever worked with (for the cats & the caregivers ) . this is an awesome
place too volunteer for. i love every minute of it. if you like animals? , & want to help ? get with them.
I have served on the board of ADLA for a numbers of years and am proud to do so. ADLA is one of the most effective state based animal protection organizations in the country. Thanks to its small but highly committed staff and fantastic volunteers, ADLA is engaged in a wide variety of animal issues in Arizona. ADLA's spay and neuter efforts, in collaboration with other committed organizations in the state, may be the best such campaign in the country. Though ADLA is small and lean, it is committed to protecting animals, domestic and wild, in Arizona. I strongly support ADLA and highly recommend this organization to those who care about animal welfare and protection.
This organization is committed to improving the lives of all animals, both domesticated and wild, in AZ. I have been glad to be a volunteer and a donor for many years and have always been impressed with the professional and caring nature of all who are involved with this cause.
I have spent a lot of time volunteering with ADLA, and love how they work with such a wide variety of groups and individuals to find solutions that help animals. ADLA truly understands the importance of collaboration and the value of volunteers.
I am a volunteer and board member with the Animal Defense League of Arizona. I first met ADLA president and attorney Stephanie Nichols-Young in the late 1980’s at an ADLA predecessor group’s event protesting the use of animals in cosmetic testing. Shortly thereafter this small organization convinced Dial Corporation to issue a moratorium on animal testing. From that point on I became a volunteer, and joined the board of directors in 1998. I really believe in ADLA and its mission, and here’s why:
Throughout all of ADLA's many campaigns, I have been consistently impressed by the dedication and commitment of our volunteers that have made ADLA a statewide leader in spaying and neutering pets and feral cats. ADLA’s Trap Neuter Release Program has fixed almost 3,000 cats so far this year, with a total of over 40,000 cats fixed in Maricopa County since 2009.
ADLA volunteers have worked tirelessly on ballot measures including the 1998 citizen initiative that banned cockfighting, and the 2006 measure that banned the cruel confinement of pregnant pigs and calves raised for veal in factory farms. Thanks to ADLA volunteers, a ‘right to hunt’ referendum was defeated that could have overturned the ban on traps and poisons on Arizona public lands.
ADLA was also a member of a coalition that defeated a ballot measure that would have severely limited the citizen initiative process. And ADLA members led the animal protection community's opposition to a racetrack-back referendum that would have increased greyhound racing in Arizona.
ADLA volunteers are literally in the trenches, having helped relocate an entire prairie dog colony when urban development threatened to destroy its habitat. One of my favorite projects is working with Arizona Game and Fish and other volunteers to reintroduce black-tailed prairie dogs in southern Arizona.
Year after year, ADLA volunteers work to protect and defend Arizona’s animals – dogs and cats, wildlife, animals in farms, racetracks, and laboratories. No group does more for animals in Arizona with such few resources. I feel fortunate to be a part of such an amazing organization.
I was both a donor ($1000+) and TNR volunteer for 120+ cats. I gave up trying to work with through this organization. Now, word is staring to spread, and people just call me directly rather than the "hotline". If I think a person has the money to pay for low-cost spay/neuter of the homeless cats they are caring for, I expect them to pay, but do everything else myself for them, working directly with cooperating clinics. If it's clear the person asking for TNR has no money to spare, I pay myself -- with no tax deduction because I'm not a charity. That's how bad it is.
Maybe they do other good work with lobbying... But I'm watching their balance sheet -- and probably also the number of feral cats -- double, and am concerned.
So impressed with the work ADLA does to help the cats and people in our community. They have TNR'd thousands of cats in the Phoenix metropolitan area in the last year alone. Check out their facebook page if you need to see more: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal-Defense-League-of-Arizona/84977378986
I was in need of financial assistance due to to disabilities and lack of funds to do TNR. During the course of my encounters with AZ animal defense league which is also known as Spay Neuter Hotline for doing TNR I discovered they are actually listed with the IRS as a 50% organization not a non-profit. Due to the usual catty nonsense that goes on with women in general I could not be helped because I guess they couldn't see the cancer at that point and some women think they are all knowing I suppose. So not only were the cats never done the HOA in the area decided to "relocate" all the animals including the ones I had TNR'd. Who needs yet another self-serving organization as far as this is concerned. Their buddies within the group are always given freebies, the rest of the community, no. I'm sure this would explain why after 20 years of business they only have 1100 "likes" on facebook, soo self-serving and we need another option here.