We probably all heard of about Joe Arpaio, Maricopa longtime sheriff, elected first in 1992, and re-elected since then for a total of 5 terms 4 years each.Sheriff Joe has come up with many new and innovative ideas throughout the years.
We thought it might be appropriate to make note of Maricopa's approach to animal shelters, under the leadership of Sheriff Joe, especially since many neighbors in Oro Valley have an interest in the "animal shelter issue."
Maricopa County was spending approx.$18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the County Supervisors said okay.
The Maricopa Animal Safe Hospice (MASH),is a no-kill animal shelter operated by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) in what was formerly Phoenix's First Avenue Jail. The facility opened by Sheriff Arpaio is a 30-year-old jail previously used to house inmates, but was closed for repairs to plumbing in December 1999. Though no longer suitable for housing inmates, the jail looks like a paradise to the four footed victims now housed and recovering there. The MASH location in the First Avenue Jail is air-conditioned, and the cells have been reconditioned to comfortably house animals.
"The purpose of the shelter is to provide a safe, healthy and healing shelter for animals who have been abused, neglected by their caretakers/owners and rescued by the Animal Cruelty Investigative Unit."
Sheriff Joe's no-kill animal shelters are staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the animals. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who'd like to adopt an animal.
The prisoners get the benefit of about $0.28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day. Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.
His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million. A couple adopted a Weimaraner from a Maricopa County shelter a few years ago. He was neutered, and current on all shots, in great health, and even had a microchip inserted the day they got him. Cost:$78.
