Rhea and more pets up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters this week
Every year, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Of those, about 3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats.
Each week, The Arizona Republic highlights a handful of the many pets up for adoption at Valley shelters. To check the status of a specific animal, please contact the shelter directly.
Rhea: Wants to be your lap warmer
Always with a soft expression and even softer fur to match, Rhea is quite a sight to behold. With the cold weather slowly creeping throughout the Valley, the 2-year-old Siberian Husky is sure to be a welcome addition to help keep her future family member’s laps nice and toasty.
Found in Phoenix as a stray in November, the gorgeous pup was brought to the Arizona Humane Society by a Good Samaritan to get her the help she needed. Although there were no indications she had an owner, Rhea is a great reminder the importance of having updated tags and microchips for your pets. It is estimated that one in three pets will go missing in their lifetimes and without a means of identifying them or contacting their owners, it is unlikely they will ever make it back home.
Rhea was treated in AHS’ trauma hospital when she was found to have a slight limp and pain in her hips but was quickly resolved. The gorgeous girl was also given a groom, including a beauty blowout to give her a much-needed reprieve from her built-up fur. Although not much is known about this inquisitive pup, one thing is for sure: Rhea can rock a bandana like none other!
How to adopt: To help her find her forever home, Rhea’s adoption fee is waived! Interested adopters can meet regal Rhea at the Arizona Humane Society’s South Mountain location. Her adoption fee includes her spay surgery, current vaccinations, a microchip and a free follow-up wellness exam with a VCA Animal Hospital. Visit azhumane.org/adopt to choose one of three convenient ways to adopt based on your schedule.
— Kelsey Dickerson, Arizona Humane Society
Beaker: Attention seeker
Rescued from a cat hoarder, it is no wonder that 1-year-old Beaker loves attention. He is used to having to share it with so many other kitties.
A very handsome fellow, he gets along fine with other cats and has had plenty of playmates. He especially loves to play with anything feathery, kitty toys of course. Beaker is fine with being picked up and enjoys having his golden coat brushed to perfection.
His hope is for a new home where he will get lots of attention and lots of love.
How to adopt: Visit him at Sun Cities 4 Paws Rescue, 11129 Michigan Avenue, Youngtown. Call 623-876-8778 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesdays-Saturdays, and also adoption days.
Other locations are the shelter, 10807 N. 96th Avenue, Peoria; call 623-773-2246, same hours and days; Surprise PetSmart, 13764 Bell Road; and Lake Pleasant Town Center PetSmart, 25372 Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria.
— Beverly Bormann, Sun Cities 4 Paws
Chili Bean: Ready to warm your heart on a cold night
You simply cannot have a great chili soup without great ingredients and Chili Bean is here to help with all your chili needs! With a warm smile and loving spirit, the 3-year-old longhair Chihuahua is hoping for a family that needs a new sous chef that just so happens to have four legs.
Chili Bean was rescued by the Arizona Humane Society in early November after Mesa Police were called on a welfare check. Unfortunately, it was found that his owner had passed away and there was no one left to take care of him. Once in the care of AHS, it was found that the 17-pound cutie was healthy but just needed a slight groom.
While he was healthy physically, Chili Bean understandably was a bit shaken up and on high alert when first with AHS. Although he warms up with people, the shelter’s Behavior Team found that he would do best as the only dog in the home to help alleviate the stress that comes around being other pups. A huge fan of walks, attention seeking from his human friends and a big fan of treats, Chili Bean is excited for a family where he can get all the love and care his heart can desire once again!
How to adopt: To help him find his forever home, Chili Bean’s adoption fee is waived! Interested adopters can meet cool Chili Bean at the Arizona Humane Society’s South Mountain location. His adoption fee includes his neuter surgery, current vaccinations, a microchip and a free follow-up wellness exam with a VCA Animal Hospital. Visit azhumane.org/adopt to choose one of three convenient ways to adopt based on your schedule.
— Kelsey Dickerson, Arizona Humane Society
Ricky: Ready to win your heart
Ricky is a 5-year-old, 13-pound Lhasa Apso-Papillon blend who recently joined Friends for Life Animal Rescue from a county facility, where he was surrendered as a stray.
He has the cutest little wag to his swag, and we are loving how his ears seem to not touch his head!
Ricky is a gentle, happy, overall good boy. He walks nicely on a leash and does best with a harness. He loves going on outings but also loves sitting in your lap and soaking up the attention.
Ricky knows some basic commands: "sit", "wait" and "come." So let's see if you know some basic commands: "Come" and meet this handsome boy!
Ricky will do best in an adult-only home as he doesn't do well sharing his food or treats.
How to adopt: Ricky is living at the Friends for Life adoption center, located at 952 W. Melody Avenue in Gilbert, where he is holding interviews with families to decide where he wants to spend the rest of his life. Is it you? Ricky is neutered, licensed, microchipped and current on vaccinations. His adoption fee is only $250. To find out more about Ricky, Friends for Life, or other dogs and cats in need of homes, visit http://www.azfriends.org, call 480-497-8296, or e-mail FFLdogs@azfriends.org.
— Jannelle Cosgriff, Friends for Life
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Adopt a pet: Rhea and more pets up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters