No matter how big and powerful government gets, and the many services it provides, it can never take the place of volunteers.
Ronald Reagan

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Mohandas Gandhi

Volunteers make the world go round. No government or business, no single source of funds or effort can make all the improvements needed in people’s lives or build the vibrant community we want to live in.

And volunteering benefits the volunteer at least as much as it does the individual, organization or initiative on the receiving end. Ask one of the estimated 200,000+ volunteers in Pima County.

To help channel local volunteer interest and energy, Pima County is organizing a free Volunteer Fair on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Tucson East, 7600 E. Broadway.

Representatives from local health, environmental, social service and animal welfare nonprofits and community agencies, including Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Coordination Center, Pima Council on Aging, Humane Society of Southern Arizona and Pima Animal Care Center, will be available to talk about volunteer opportunities.

Trained volunteers will welcome and register all individuals interested in volunteering before the individuals visit with the nonprofit and agency representatives.

The Pima County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will be recruiting volunteers to help during disaster situations and other emergencies.

Refreshments will be provided.

Put your skills and abilities to work for others. Or learn new ones. Volunteer with like-minded folks and make new friends. Outdoors or indoors. Or find something you can do at home in your spare time. Step up for an hour a month or several hours a week.

Make a difference in our community, in the lives of others, in your life.

Once again the $10 for 10,000 adoption campaign has increased the number of animals adopted from Pima Animal Care Center (PACC). Throughout the yearlong campaign, 11,345 animals found new and loving families compared to just over 10,500 the previous year.

The campaign was so successful that PACC is offering one last opportunity to adopt a pet for $10 with its “Find a Friend” weekend Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15.

Starting Monday, July 16, half-price summer discounts will resume. Adoption fees will vary based on factors such as the age of the animal or the length of time it has been at PACC. Until the fall, $50 per animal is the most anyone can expect to pay.

Pima Animal Care Center is located at 4000 N. Silverbell Road. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday noon – 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For a detailed list of prices and more information, visit PACC’s website at www.pima.gov/animalcare or call 243-5900.

The $10 for 10,000 campaign kicks off at the Monsoon Muttness adoption event Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N.Silverbell Road. The family-friendly event will feature music, a dog show, a jumping castle, cotton candy, a scavenger hunt and special guest appearances from McGruff and friends and the Marana Police Canines.

The dog show begins at 11 a.m. and the following classes are open to all rescue dogs:

• Cutest dog
• Ugliest dog
• Dog most like their human companion
• Best dog trick
• Best six legs
• Best dressed dog

Compliance DJ Jerry Sanchez will provide entertainment until 3:30 p.m. He will be followed by live music performances by:

• Gila Bend
• Leila Lopez
• Sunday Drivers
• Hank Topless

PACC is encouraging people to come to the event not only to enjoy free entertainment for the whole family, but also to visit the great selection of dogs and cats in need of homes and to adopt a new pet for a reduced fee.

Please visit www.pima.gov/animalcare for more information.

Rabies is a virus that affects warm-blooded mammals, including humans, and is most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing brain disease and death. However, rabies is preventable. The best way to protect pets is through a rabies vaccine administered by a licensed veterinarian. Once symptoms of this disease appear, it is too late to save an animal that hasn’t been vaccinated.

During the World Rabies Day clinic, rabies vaccines will be administered for $13 each or free with a dog license purchased at the event. License fees are as follows (licensing late fees may apply):

• $15 for altered dogs – proof of alteration (spayed/neutered) required
• $60 for unaltered dogs
• Citizens older than 65 years are eligible to receive a discounted dog license – proof of age required
• Low-income individuals may be eligible to receive a discounted dog license – call (520) 243-5969 in advance of the clinic for details and requirements

To reduce wait time and ensure the clinic runs smoothly, all dogs must be leashed and under the control of an adult and all cats must be secured within cat carriers. If possible, pet owners should bring a record of the previous vaccine so staff can determine the expiration date for the new vaccine.

For more information about PACC, visit www.pimaanimalcare.org or call (520) 243-5900.

Pima Animal Care Center has a high number of furry friends available for adoption. There are currently more than two hundred dogs and cats available at the shelter with more arriving daily. To encourage people to find homes for these pets, PACC is offering reduced rates for all adoptable pets.

All adoptable animals are altered, vaccinated and microchipped, and dogs older than three months are licensed before going to their new homes.

Discounted adoption prices:

• Puppies: $50
• Dogs: $35 plus a $15 license
• Kittens: $50
• Cats: $35

Adoption prices for longer-term residents and those with minor behavioral or medical issues that the new adopter will need to address are further reduced. Please inquire with shelter staff or volunteers for more information about special-needs animals.

Discounted adoption prices for animals that have been at the shelter for two weeks or longer:

• Puppies: $25
• Dogs: $15 plus a $15 license
• Kittens: $25
• Cats: $15

PACC is also in need of volunteers to take animals to offsite adoption venues and to support its rescue partners who are invaluable in helping sick and injured animals recover and find happy homes. Please visit www.pimaanimalcare.org or call 243-5900 to learn more about volunteering.

Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Road, is open Monday through Friday noon to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about PACC, please visit www.pimaanimalcare.org or call 243-5900.

Discounted adoption prices are as follows:

•    Adult dogs: $35 plus a $15 license
•    Puppies: $50
•    Adult cats: $35 (two for the price of one on Mondays and Tuesdays)
•    Kittens: $50
•    Adult dogs and cats that have been at the shelter for two weeks or longer: $15 (includes the license for dogs)
•    Puppies and kittens that have been at the shelter for two weeks or longer: $25

Special-needs animals that may have minor behavioral or medical issues that the new adopter will need to address are also being offered at a discounted rate. Please inquire with shelter staff or volunteers for further information.

All adoptable animals are altered, vaccinated and microchipped, and dogs older than three months are licensed before going to their new homes.

PACC is also looking for volunteers to take animals to offsite adoption venues and for support for its rescue partners who are invaluable in helping sick and injured animals recover and find happy homes.

Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Road, is open Monday through Friday noon to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about PACC, please visit www.pimaanimalcare.org or call 243-5900.

Pima County residents adopted 10,542 pets from Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) during the 2010/2011 fiscal year. That exceeded PACC’s adoption goal of placing 10,000 animals into homes.

To celebrate that success, PACC has extended the $10 for 10,000 adoption campaign through Find-a- Friend Weekend July 16-17. During this special campaign, all cats and dogs can be adopted for $10, which is significantly less than the normal fee.

As a special thank you to residents who come to PACC Saturday, July 16, a light brunch will be provided from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There are many gentle and wonderful pets ready and waiting for a loving family to adopt them. Please consider making a difference in their lives by visiting the Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Road. Regular hours of operation are Monday through Friday noon to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about PACC, please visit www.pimaanimalcare.org or call 243-5900.