About Us

Compassionate Care for Over 80 Years

At the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, our mission is clear: to compassionately serve pets and the people who love them. Since 1944, we've been a beacon of hope, working tirelessly to ensure every pet receives the care, love, and safety they deserve. Our vision is a future where every pet in our community is cherished, and through our lifesaving programs, thousands of animals find loving homes each year resulting in over 90% of the pets who enter our care being saved. But we can't do it alone. When you adopt, foster, donate, or volunteer, you become a hero in this mission—helping to save the lives of pets and keep families together.

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona values and champions diversity and inclusion. These values are part of who we are. Together, we will continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our HSSA team and the communities we serve. 

Our Three Pillars

Lifesaving Programs: Our dedication to ensuring every pet finds a loving home drives us to continually enhance shelter processes and expand adoption efforts, ensuring no animal is left behind. 

Animal Care and Well-being: We uphold a commitment to the highest standards of care for every animal, providing essential medical attention and enriching activities. Your support makes a lasting difference in the well-being of the pets in our care. 

Community Engagement and Support: We continuously strengthen programs such as our pet pantry and build meaningful partnerships to keep pets and families together, working to reduce the need for shelter intervention. 

More Than a Shelter—A Lifeline for Pets

We’re more than just a shelter—we’re a full-service animal welfare organization. From affordable spay & neuter services to low-cost vaccinations, we strive to keep pets healthy and with the families who love them. Our community engagement and support programs help families stay together, ensuring a brighter future for pets. With every service we offer, we move closer to a world where no animal is left behind, leading our community to long-term and sustainable changes in the way people view their companion pets. From our school-based education programs to our low-cost clinic services, partnerships with other nonprofits, and adoption and foster programs, we are leading the way to a better future for pets and the people who love them.

Expanding Our Mission Beyond Tucson

We’re proud to be a local, independent nonprofit dedicated to caring for pets right here in our community. We are not a government agency or a national organization; we're your neighbors, working every day of the year to help animals in need. As a nonprofit powered primarily by donations, we rely on the support of people like you who understand the importance of local, hands-on care. Your contributions make it possible for us to continue our vital work and make a real difference in the lives of pets and their families right here in Southern Arizona.

Since changing our name from The Humane Society of Tucson to The Humane Society of Southern Arizona in 1998, we’ve been dedicated to expanding our impact. Now, we're renewing our commitment by focusing more of our efforts on supporting and collaborating with large, overcrowded municipal shelters and rural shelters. Through partnerships, we aim to share resources and enhance the care animals receive. Together, we can create a brighter future for pets everywhere.

Medical Practices That Guide Our Work 

Our practices and programs have evolved over the years, but one thread has held strong: ending the needless euthanasia of pets due to lack of space or time limits.  

HSSA never euthanizes a pet for lack of space or the length of time they've been with us. Yet as every pet owner knows, there is a time when euthanasia is the most humane course of action. It is never an easy decision, but one that is always made in the best interest of the pet. At HSSA, we never want a pet to suffer, and we have dedicated staff to help determine when a pet is terminally ill; is suffering from severe injuries, medical conditions, or extreme psychological stress; or is exhibiting behaviors that make it unsafe to place back in the community. In those cases, and after all other options are exhausted, these pets are humanely euthanized.   

We join many other shelters and organizations in agreement that elective, non-medical declawing is an ethically unacceptable practice. 

Join Us On Our Mission

You can help create a brighter future for the animals and people of Southern Arizona. Here's how you can help:

• Volunteer: Your time and skills are crucial. Help us provide exceptional care and support for our animals.
• Foster: Open your heart and home to an animal in need. Your love can be their bridge to a permanent home.
• Adopt: Bring joy into your life and theirs. Give one of our wonderful animals the loving home they deserve.
• Donate: Your generous contributions fund our lifesaving programs and initiatives, ensuring we can continue our mission.