Compassionate Living


It’s not all or nothing; Pick one.

Try it once a month, once a week, or once a day.

It’s up to you. Each time you go shopping, donate to charity, in almost everything you do, you can choose for animals. Every time you choose for animals, you have made a difference.

Living compassionately does not need to be difficult.

Some of us have been trying to live compassionately for decades, others are brand new to the lifestyle. We’re all on a journey. We want to share information here- without judgment.

Tell us about what you find, or questions you have. We will share on this page, blog and social media.

Resources for Compassionate Living

Report Animal Abuse

To report animal abuse in Maricopa County click here.

For all other counties, contact your local police or county sheriff’s office.

Buying with Compassion

This includes purchasing products that are not tested on animals and that do not contain animal byproducts, and supporting (preferably local) businesses that choose to provide vegan products.  You can find information on cruelty-free products and companies at the Leaping Bunny and its mobile app, and at Vegan Beauty Review.

Compassion for Domestic Animals

If you want to help curb pet overpopulation and keep your companion animals healthy, the most important step you can take is to get them spayed or neutered. ADLA makes statewide referrals to low cost and no cost spay/neuter services. Call our Spay Neuter Hotline at 602.265.SPAY or click here.

Are you or someone you know feeding cats? The Spay Neuter Hotline can help through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). TNR is the most humane and effective way to stabilize and eventually reduce outdoor cat populations. You can request help with outdoor cats here.

 

Compassion for Wildlife

Have you found an injured, sick, or orphaned wild animal? First, make sure the animal really needs your help. Learn how to determine if the animal is truly orphaned or injured. You can find a list Arizona licensed wildlife rehabilitators here.

Feeding wild animals places them in danger, along with humans and pets. It is also illegal in much of the state. In 2006 the Arizona Legislature passed a law that bans feeding of wildlife (except birds and squirrels) in Pima, Pinal and Maricopa counties. Since then other counties and cities throughout the state have adopted various laws prohibiting the feeding of wildlife. Read Four Reasons Not to Feed Wildlife.

ADLA believes that animals belong in the wild – not in captive facilities. However, not all zoos are the same. Some facilities expend efforts towards humane care and conservation of threatened or endangered species, while others place profit above the welfare of its animals. If you decide to visit a zoo or aquarium, make sure that it is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which requires standards for animal care and conservation. You can find accredited facilities here.  ADLA was involved in a campaign opposing Dolphinaris, a captive dolphin facility near Scottsdale where four dolphins died. The facility closed in 2019 and the surviving dolphins were transported to a sea pen in the US Virgin Islands.