several bad measures aimed at trouncing our public initiative process. This anti-voter omnibus bill creates numerous specifications that would enable large amounts of signatures to be thrown out on a technicality. These impediments would make it much more difficult for citizens to get a measure on the ballot. Update: Wildlife Services Trapping Case Set for Trial
The case against Wildlife Services employee Russell Files has been set for trial on
July 24, 2013, at the Maricopa County Superior Court. Files has been charged with felony animal cruelty that was designated as a violent crime for allegedly baiting and trapping his neighbor’s dog Zoey, who was severely injured.
On May 13, attorneys for Files argued that the case should be sent back to the grand jury for redetermination of probable cause. They argued that the trap did not inflict injuries, and that the dog inflicted her own injuries in her attempt to escape. The judge denied the motion, and the case will proceed to trial.
Background: In December 2012, Phoenix-based Wildlife Services employee Russell Files trapped his neighbor’s 2-year-old dog Zoey in his unfenced front yard. Police found Zoey covered in blood with her legs entangled in the trap, which had been set near a decomposing animal skull. Click here to read the entire police report (warning: graphic images)
Wildlife Services is a taxpayer-funded government agency that kills millions of animals each year, including non-target animals and family pets. Read the in-depth investigation into the agency by Tom Knudson of the Sacramento Bee here.
Multi-Million Dollar Fix. Adopt. Save. Campaign Launched Today!
The Fix. Adopt. Save. Campaign Launched to Increase Animal Adoptions and Dispel Myths About Spaying and Neutering
If big moments in animal welfare progress were covered in history books, this
project would be included.
An alliance of eight animal welfare agencies, backed by multi-mullion dollar philanthropic support, have joined together to solve Maricopa County’s homeless animal problem by launching the “Fix. Adopt. Save.” campaign – a collaborative effort to encourage responsible pet ownership, and to dramatically increase spay/neuter and pet adoption rates in the Valley. Read more
Great Black Footed Ferret Story in Today's AZ Republic, Except...
The Arizona Game & Fish Commission and Department are not in a good place right now. The Commission is the worst that ADLA has seen in over twenty years of wildlife advocacy. Both have reversed a number of incremental positive changes that they had made- such as mountain lion policies.
But there are a few bright spots. One is the black-footed ferret reintroduction program that is featured on the front page of today's Arizona Republic in a wonderful story by Brandon Loomis.
ADLA takes issue with one comment in the story. Loomis calls prairie dogs, the animals on which ferrets depend for food, destructive. We disagree. The five species of prairie dogs that live in North America- including two that are native to Arizona- are keystone species. Their presence is critical for many other species to survive amd thrive in the ecosystems in which they all live.
Ironically, even some at AZ Game & Fish disagree with Loomis conclusion. Another of its bright spots is the reintroduction of black tailed prairie dogs in southeastern Arizona. That species was once completely extirpated from our state, but Game & Fish reintroduced them a few years ago. ADLA hopes that project is Loomis next story!
Update: Wildlife Services Agent Indicted by Grand Jury
Wildlife Services employee Russell Files has been indicted by a grand jury for felony animal cruelty
In December 2012, Phoenix-based Wildlife Services employee Russell Files 
trapped his neighbor’s 2-year-old dog Zoey in his unfenced front yard. Police found Zoey covered in blood with her legs entangled in the trap, which had been set near a decomposing animal skull. Read more
Click here to read the entire police report (warning: graphic images)
Please thank the Maricopa Attorney’s Office for charging Russell Files with felony animal cruelty. You can send a message here.
Wildlife Services is a taxpayer-funded government agency that kills millions of animals each year, including non-target animals and family pets. Read the in-depth investigation into the agency by Tom Knudson of the Sacramento Bee here.
Spay Neuter Hotline: Making Every Dollar Count!
Ever wonder why Spay Neuter Hotline requests a $25/cat donation for Trap Neuter Return (TNR)? Although the vets we work with offer us a generous discount, we still have to pay for every surgery performed. When we have funding available from a 3rd party we can provide our services for free. However ordinarily we are charged for each surgery performed and quite often the $25 donation doesn't cover our expense.
So far in 2013 over 3,700 cats have been TNR’d through our program. This time of year is especially costly due to all the female cats coming into heat or already being pregnant. These are additional charges that most clinics pass on to the Spay Neuter Hotline that go above and beyond the donation that we ask for.
Your $25/cat donation helps us continue to fix thousands of cats each year and prevent all those kittens being born and trying to survive on the street.
Let's Hear it for First Time Trappers!
The Spay Neuter Hotline's Sunday TNR clinic was amazing once again. 87 cats were brought to the clinic. So many people pitch in to get the cats there, it's hard to single out one group. However, I was struck by the wonderful first time trappers. Four first time trappers brought 19 cats- including a mother and son, husband and wife, strong solo trapper and neighbors. By the way the neighbors topped the success rate with nine cats. Thanks to all!
Save the Date: Cat TNR 101 on March 23
Too Many Cats? We Can Fix That!
To learn more about trap neuter return and how to get started, please join us at this event on March 23!
Click here for more information
Spay Neuter Hotline Urges People to Fix Cats Now!
Every spring thousands of homeless kittens come into animal shelters in Maricopa County. Most do not get out alive. Before temperatures rise and cats go into heat, 
the Spay Neuter Hotline is asking people to stop procrastinating, and get companion cats fixed, and also take advantage of ADLA's Trap Neuter Return program to sterilize stray and free-roaming cats in Valley neighborhoods. Few cats are in heat in January, but the number begins to increase in February. By May shelters are inundated with kittens.
We can beat kitten season if everyone in the community pitches in by sterilizing cats in their neighborhood. Whether people love cats or hate them, Trap Neuter Return (TNR) is the best way to reduce the number of cats. Read more
ADLA Calls for Investigation of USDA Agent for Felony Animal Cruelty
The Animal Defense League of Arizona has asked the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for an investigation of its Phoenix employee Russell Files, who has been accused of animal cruelty. Files is an agent of Wildlife Services, a program of the USDA.
Welcome to the Spay Neuter Clinic- Cactus
The Spay Neuter Hotline is happy to welcome its newest clinic providing surgeries for Trap Neuter Return through the Spay Neuter Hotline. Dr. Lisa Levin and her staff at the clinic started in December, even making slots available on New Year's Eve. To schedule an appointment at any particpating clinic call 602 265-7729 or email feralcats@adlaz.org.
The clinic is located in one of the zip codes in which the Hotline is currently offering free surgeries for free roaming cats- 85029. Free surgeries are also available in 85015, 85017, 85019, 85020, 85021, 85051, 85301 and 85302.
ADLA maintains an extensive database of low-cost spay/neuter clinics around Arizona. 
