The Arizona Humane Society has officially unleashed its newest facility, leaving the old digs for a cutting-edge animal hospital and shelter. The grand opening of the 72,000-square-foot Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus, complete with state-of-the-art medical care, adoption centers, and eco-friendly solar power, has set tails wagging in the world of pet welfare in Phoenix.
Founded at its new address at 5501 E. Van Buren St., the campus introduces facilities such as the Watts Family Medical Complex and the Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital, which treat over 18,000 animals annually, according to ABC15. The expansive property caters not just to medical needs but also to the prospective pet parents with amenities like indoor-outdoor kennels for dogs, cozy 'catios' for cats, and even a coffee shop on-site to enhance the adoption experience.
Dr. Steven Hansen, President & CEO of the Arizona Humane Society told ABC15, "We are so excited to actually be open now, we've been building this facility for the last two and a half years... There's nothing like this in the country." His remarks underline the society's ambition to revolutionize animal care by combining high-caliber medical treatment with community engagement. The new shelter, which follows a departure from their previous Sunnyslope location of over 60 years, not only features an array of specialized care units such as the Susan & Mark Mulzet Parvo ICU and the Doris Norton Kitten Nursery but also channels a spirit of education through its Veterinarian Student Teaching Program.
In tandem with fostering new life, the Papago Park Campus is setting a robust foundation for farewell moments with the Suzanne Pearl Family Serenity Garden, ensuring that each step in an animal's journey is met with compassion and the best that modern veterinary science has to offer, the ambitious leap from the original Sunnyslope site, comes with a bevy of new amenities, from the Ann Siner Foster Wing to community-oriented spaces like Paw-cademy Classrooms and the Jamie L. Middleton Lobby, provided you can leave the Echo Coffee Shop and resist the charm of watching puppies in the pet store, with 1% of every purchase generously going to support the AHS cause.
As for the old borough at 13th Avenue and Hatcher Road, it's getting a second wind as a full-service vet clinic, extending beyond the Marge Wright Public Veterinary Clinic's offerings. The current agenda entails focusing on more profound healthcare services, including preventive measures, seeking to cover a broader array of pet health needs while the main torch for adoptions and emergency care burns bright at the new state-of-the-art campus, as highlighted by a spokesperson in a statement obtained by ABC15.
