In August 2023, the HSSA accepted 300+ small mammal pets (rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, & mice) from the San Diego Humane Society. They were to have then been transferred to local Arizona small pet rescues. They never made it. Instead, the HSSA gave them to a local reptile breeder. The majority are missing and presumed dead having been used as reptile food. Some of the animals were recovered by concerned citizens. There are suspicions that this is not the first time this has happened, but never on such a large scale.
This organization took in 318 adoptable small pets from San Diego and then sold them to a snake feeder company. Nothing “humane” about that. Their CPO was involved in the snake industry so one has to wonder how many other pets met the same fate before they got caught. Please donate to a boots on the ground rescue instead of this corrupt organization. They still aren’t doing anything to hold the ones responsible legally accountable, just passing the buck and worrying about their own “reputation” and donations to pay their overly inflated salaries.
Shame, shame, shame on the Humane Society of Southern Arizona! 318 innocent lives killed in a horrible cruel way by its leadership. I hope karma gets all of you guilty, greedy, so called leaders. On behalf of those that were cruelly killed please suffer for the rest of your lives for what you have done.
I help out doing offsite adoptions, and it's obvious how everyone involved-- staff and volunteer alike-- cares immensely about the shelter's mission. In an environment that has the potential to be very depressing, spirits stay high, and every animal gets love and attention in an attempt to find it a good "forever home." Thanks to so much time and effort, Tucson is a much furrier and well-loved city!
I am saddened by no response from your emergency task advocate. I am just an ordinary citizen taking care of a homeless dog for two years because I could not catch him. Animal control tried but was not aware he hid in a basement and they would of only killed the guy. This dog lived in an abandoned house, hurting no one. He waited for the sound of my vehicle. Fast forward- property was bought and new owner was putting up fence. We spoke with him and he said would give us two-three months to capture dog. Following week he has workers bulldozing surrounding buildings. Spoke to workers on the dog and they lied saying the dog went with some old guy. I knew this dog would not go with anyone. That evening went and the dog came out. Meanwhile I contacted Heather Rowe to get some immediate assistance on helping me get the dog. THIS DOG IS NOW TRAPPED INSIDE THE GATED AREA. She said to call Mike on your animal task force. This man has to be there for a paycheck because not only has he not returned my phone calls but I have other people call him and no return call. For a week I have not seen my Dog and found the basement was blocked with cionder blocks. The owner and worker knew this dog hid under there and with no way out he has probably died from no access from food or mainly water. This is animal cruelty by all of you who would not help. I am sure had I cut the fence and trespassed could of gotten attention then. I own a business and every portion of my sales go to help homeless, forgotten animals but your organization will not get anymore. Everybody just passed the buck because this dog was either not newsworthy since he did not bite anyone or traveled thousands of miles or an exotic animal. I barely take a paycheck so I can take care of abandoned animals (ask my vet) yet you have this Mike on your payroll being paid to help animals and he can not even return any of our calls. How sad
Review from Guidestar
I have adopted animals from the HSSAZ shelter and have also utilized their spay/neuter and inoculation clinic. I find the facility to be clean, employees knowledgable and concerned about the animals in their care. I am delighted to be a supporter and intend to continue utilizing their services!
Review from Guidestar