PHOENIX — Since 1957, the Arizona Humane Society has operated out of its Sunnyslope building at 13th Avenue and Hatcher Road, but on Tuesday morning, staff began moving to a new state-of-the-art location.
“Today is a huge day for the Arizona Humane Society, we have been working to this point for the last several years,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, the president and CEO of the organization.
The humane society’s new location, the Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus, is near Loop 202 and State Route 143.
Hansen said that it will have a big impact on the health of the animals in the humane society’s care.
"The big reason we’re actually moving is because our trauma hospital here was never really built to be a trauma hospital,” said Hansen.
He also said the old location is small and the Valley has grown.
“Our new hospital will provide us with a hospital that meets all of the needs of our shelter,” said Hansen. “It’s going to allow us to control disease, treat these animals, and get them healthy and put them into homes.”
Hansen said its design allows for better disease control among the animals being housed in it.
"The airflow is designed so that we don’t transmit disease from one animal to the next. Sanitation regarding floors, movement of animals-- it’s all about controlling disease," said Hansen.
The old Sunnyslope location will now be used specifically for spay and neutering services. The new campus is expected to be open to the public on March 6.
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