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HELPing out
More than anything, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona needs money. People can mail checks to the Humane Society at 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716 or visit its Web site at www.hssaz.org.
People can also drop off towels at the Companions for Life Center, 3465 E. Kleindale Road.
For information, contact the Humane Society at 327-6088.
Adoptions
Some of the small dogs taken from the Avra Valley residence were available Thursday, and Jenny Rose expected more to be up for adoption through the weekend.
The adoption process begins with a visit to the Humane Society's facility at 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd., its Web site says. Adoption forms can be downloaded and filled out online at www.hssaz.org.
People won't be able to take the dogs home immediately if the dogs haven't been spayed or neutered, Rose said. Then the dogs will have to spend one more night at the Humane Society.
Rose said it's important for anyone interested in adopting to spend time with the animal to make sure it's a compatible fit. Chihuahuas have a tendency to bite so anyone with small children should exercise care around them, she said.
Also, the small dogs have been through a stressful ordeal and may need time to calm down.
Adoption fees
$135 for a purebred of any age.
$95 for puppies younger than 4 months.
$80 for dogs older than 4 months.
What about the birds?
The 36 exotic birds taken from the Avra Valley mobile home will not be available for adoption at the Humane Society, Rose said. An avian vet was looking over the birds, and, after that, organizations that specialize in avian care were going to take them, she said.

Tucson Region

Care for seized dogs costly; would-be adopters abundant

By Dale Quinn
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 03.14.2008
Caring for more than 700 dogs seized from a property northwest of Tucson could end up costing the Humane Society of Southern Arizona about $400,000.
Some of the small dogs were available for adoption Thursday, an agency spokeswoman said, and scores of people turned out to try to get one.
In all, 752 dogs — mostly Chihuahuas — were taken from what officials called a "puppy mill" in the 12200 block of West Manville Road in Avra Valley. The dogs were being bred and sold, some for thousands of dollars.
The ones available for adoption Thursday were seized Monday, said Jenny Rose, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society.
About 500 of the dogs are being housed at the Humane Society's Companions for Life Center at 3465 E. Kleindale Road, because its shelter on North Kelvin Boulevard is full.
More puppies could be coming, too. About 100 of the dogs taken in were pregnant, Rose said.
The stay for an average dog costs the Humane Society about $200, said spokeswoman Jenny Rose. But these dogs will end up costing more with medical costs and overtime pay for employees, she said.
Chihuahua adoption organizations had agreed to take some of the dogs, Rose said, but the scene at the Humane Society's facility at 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. was chaotic Thursday as hundreds of dogs remained there and people interested in adopting them came to visit.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department also seized 36 birds from the property, but those animals won't be available for adoption through the Humane Society, Rose said.
The names of the people who lived at the Avra Valley residence have not been released because they haven't been charged with a crime.
One of the property owners has the same name as a woman who sold small-breed dogs on the Internet, including some teacup Chihuahuas for up to $2,400 each.
● Contact reporter Dale Quinn at 629-9412 or dquinn@azstarnet.com.
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