OUR STORY
Desert Dog Project was founded to save dogs in the shelter system who are facing euthanasia for treatable medical conditions—because we’ve seen what happens when help comes too late.
Our work was inspired by Warlock, a shelter dog whose life was lost simply because he required medical care and had no one to advocate for him. Warlock’s story exposed a heartbreaking reality in the rescue world: dogs are euthanized every day not because they are aggressive, dangerous, or unlovable—but because they need medical treatment that overcrowded shelters cannot always prioritize or afford.
At Desert Dog Project, our mission is to intervene at the most critical moment. We primarily pull dogs from Maricopa County Animal Care & Control on or just before their euthanasia deadline, when it is clear they will not be medically “cleared” in time to remain in the shelter system. These dogs are immediately brought into our rescue program and placed into foster care, where they receive the medical attention they need right away.
In many cases, saving a life is as simple as treating a respiratory infection, kennel cough, or other minor illness with antibiotics. In other cases, dogs require diagnostics, surgery, or ongoing medical support. Regardless of the level of care required, we step in to ensure that cost is never the reason a dog loses their life.
As devoted partners of Maricopa County Animal Care & Control through our Shelter Dogs Medical Program, we fundraise to provide medical care for county dogs in need and work to eliminate the financial barriers that prevent deserving dogs from being treated.
