For the last decade, donations to Friends of Pima Animal Care Center have fueled innovative animal lifesaving programs, providing care and hope for countless animals and pet-loving families. Join us in looking back at the Top 10 moments that defined our first decade of caring, paw by paw.
1. Keeping Families Together - 2016
One of the original Friends of PACC projects is Keeping Families Together, aimed at keeping pets at home with families who love them rather than relinquishing them to the shelter. Over the past 10 years, Friends of PACC has helped more than 75,000 families with veterinary care, behavioral support, supplies, and pet-friendly guidance.
2. Smoothie the Cat – 2020
Smoothie arrived at PACC unable to fully open her mouth due to severe jaw injury, along with internal issues and stubborn anemia. As a result, all she could eat was smoothies. With Friends of PACC's support, Smoothie received a blood transfusion, a CT scan, a feeding tube, and major jaw surgery. Today, this sweet girl has a forever home with a cat sister and plenty of sunny windows to watch birds, bunnies, and lizards—and soak up the sun.
3. First win as Best Non-Profit – 2020
Being selected as Best Non-Profit in the Arizona Daily Star Readers’ Choice Awards symbolized the ‘coming-of-age’ for Friends of PACC, marking widespread community recognition for our work helping animals. Friends of PACC has gone on to win Best Non-Profit every year since. That’s six in a row!
4. Hope for the Huskies – 2022
Husky puppies Luke, Avalanche, and Kolby came to PACC suffering from extensive acid burns on their paws and limbs. With Friends of PACC’s support, what started as a tragedy became a modern miracle of veterinary care as the huskies were fitted with a series of specially made prosthetics over the course of 18 months. Today, the huskies are living their best lives in forever homes.
5. Pets of Pima Parade – 2022
Friends of PACC launched the Tucson Subaru Pets of Pima Parade as its signature community and fundraising event, and what an event it has become! Combining pets of all species, along with traditional parade elements, the Parade is a one-of-a-kind event and one of the largest companion animal celebrations in the nation. The 5th Anniversary Parade takes place on March 8, 2026.
6. Averting an Epidemic – 2022
In 2022, PACC faced the specter of multiple deadly contagious illnesses across the shelter. The best lifesaving solution was to provide preventive medications to all the dogs currently in or being surrendered to the shelter. The cost, however, was prohibitive. Friends of PACC answered the call, stepping forward to fund tens of thousands of dollars in emergency medicine, helping avert potential disaster – multiple times.
7. Karen's Karing Van – 2023
To address high levels of ill and unaltered pets across our community, Friends of PACC donated a state-of-the-art mobile veterinary clinic to Pima County, along with funding for staff and supplies. Today, Karen’s Karing Van brings much-needed care and relief to thousands of families in underserved parts of Pima County, creating a lifeline for their pets.
8. Spay/Neuter Support – 2024
Spaying and neutering remain a critical component for managing pet populations and reducing shelter euthanasia. As multiple spay/neuter nonprofits have sunset operations over recent years, Friends of PACC has taken a leadership role to ensure vulnerable pet families have access to spay/neuter care. In 2025-26, Friends of PACC is investing $1M to create low-cost spay/neuter care options.
9. Friends Pet Clinic – 2025
Founded by Friends of PACC, the Friends Pet Clinic is a low-cost, public-facing veterinary center focused on helping sick and injured pets before they are surrendered to PACC. The Clinic accommodates thousands of patients who were adopted from PACC, are on the verge of being relinquished to PACC, or who need spay/neuter care to avoid unwanted puppies and kittens. The Clinic makes care available to families who would otherwise not be able to access services for their beloved furry babies.
10. East Side PACC Adoption Center (EPAC) – 2026
With a focus on expanding adoption opportunities across Pima County, Friends of PACC is investing $1M to enable PACC to open an adoption facility in east Tucson. This long-needed and sought-after project is finally becoming a reality thanks to Friends of PACC and its incredible donors.
Thank you for making these moments possible.
Each of these milestones represents the compassion, commitment, and generosity of a community that believes every pet deserves care, dignity, and a chance to thrive. Together, you have helped Friends of Pima Animal Care Center respond to urgent needs, expand access to care, and build lasting solutions for vulnerable pets and the families who love them.
What comes Next?
As Friends of PACC looks toward our next decade, we are launching the NEXT 10 FUND to expand proven programs and drive the creation of new lifesaving initiatives.
The next 10 years of lifesaving starts today. Learn more here.