I was super excited to visit the Chino Valley Animal Shelter! I have spoken with so many locals that did not even know that the animal shelter existed, but the animal shelter has been here since 1987.
Two animal control officers staff Chino Valley Animal Shelter: Mary Forsmann and Christina Diga; a Senior Adoption Specialist Debby Korell; and two Adoption Specialists: Rebekah Segien and Meghan Childs. The shelter serves only dogs within town limits, dogs can be held at the shelter if they are at large and picked up by an animal control officer, or if their owner passes away (or is arrested) and they have nowhere to go. Dogs that are at large and picked up, scanned for microchip, and checked for tags. If they have no chip or ID, the dogs are held for 3 days after which they become available for adoption. Dogs with a bite history cannot be accepted at the shelter but can be held for quarantine if their vaccines were not up to date. In 2023, there were 355 dogs impounded, of those 355, 179 were returned to their owners and 176 were adopted by members of the community.
The staff prides themselves on the elevated level of cleanliness and health of the shelter and dogs, and the high-level care that the dogs receive under their roof. This is accomplished by demanding work and the dedication of the volunteers that serve. There are currently nine regular volunteers and an additional sixteen volunteers on the roster. Animal shelter volunteers serve the animals and the staff. Volunteers clean the kennels every day, walk the dogs, feed the dogs, let the dogs outside, and come in during the hours that the shelter is closed to let the dogs out. This facility only runs well because of the volunteers that serve there.
Staff can do what they need to do to get the dogs adopted because of the help they receive from the volunteers. This is a no kill shelter, they participate in multiple local adoption events including various events at Olsen’s Grain, Dogtober Fest, Annual Night Out, Territorial Days Parade, and obviously, the dogs have a social media presence. Four times a year, the Bissell Foundation pays a portion of the adoption fees, so adoption only costs $50!
We want to make sure that if you are going to take pride in rescuing a dog that needs a home that you know that you can do this from a facility right in your own backyard! The Chino Valley Animal Shelter is short on volunteers, and we know how loving and generous this community is, and that you just need to know that there is a need. Dog food is extremely expensive and although the shelter is a function of the town, their budget needs help from the community. Food costs on average over $100 per week. Sometimes there will be dogs that need extra veterinary care, (vet care is already $300-$500 per dog), yet the regular adoption fees are only $150. Donations can be made online or in person and you can specify where you want your money to go. On the shelter webpage https://www.chinoaz.net/161/Animal-Control go to the “I want to…” tab, and on the left-hand column you will see a “Donate” link. While you are on the site, you can also look at the dogs that are available! These folks (and our town) love dogs and want them to live happy lives that enhance the lives of their humans.
Chino Valley Animal Shelter is located at 1904 Voss Drive, by Memory Park in the municipal complex off Road 3 and Butterfield in Chino Valley. Vet care is obtained from Chino Valley Animal Hospital, and they discount their services for these dogs in need. The shelter is open from 10AM-3PM daily but is closed on major holidays.