About Us

People for Paws AZ Rescue is a small but mighty 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing stray and shelter dogs across Arizona, as well as supporting community pet owners in need of help to keep their beloved animals. Our mission is to provide safe, loving homes for neglected, abandoned, and at-risk dogs while fostering compassion and humane treatment within the community.

In 2024, we proudly received our official 501(c)(3) status—and we hit the ground running. By the end of our first year, we had successfully rescued and adopted out 10 deserving dogs into amazing forever homes! From the beginning, our team chose to prioritize quality over quantity, keeping our rescue intentionally small so we could give every dog the focused care, attention, and love they need to thrive.

Because we are a foster-based rescue and do not have a physical shelter, we are not able to operate as an open-intake organization. Our intake is limited, and we can only save a dog when both a foster home and the necessary funding are available. While this can make it challenging to say yes to every dog in need, it ensures that we never take in more animals than we can responsibly care for.

Most of our adoptable dogs come from overcrowded shelters or are found as strays, often in life-threatening situations. Each dog is placed in a foster home, where they learn essential house manners, adjust to family life, and receive individualized care. This hands-on approach helps us understand each dog’s unique personality and needs—allowing us to match them with the best possible forever home.

We believe in full transparency during the adoption process and provide adopters with detailed, honest information to ensure the right fit. All dogs are fully vetted and microchipped before adoption, with adoption fees going directly toward our lifesaving work.

As a volunteer-run nonprofit, People for Paws AZ Rescue relies entirely on the generosity of our community—we receive no government funding. When possible, we give back by offering low-cost vaccines, microchips, and essential pet supplies to local pet owners. We also deeply respect our supporters’ privacy and never sell, rent, or share personal information.