Humane Society of Southern Arizona: A No-Kill Shelter Serving Tucson Since 1944

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Arizona’s Oldest and Largest No-Kill Animal Welfare Organization

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) has served the Tucson community for over 80 years. Established in 1944, this independent nonprofit is dedicated to improving the lives of homeless and at-risk animals through shelter, adoption, medical care, and education. Located at 635 W Roger Road in Northwest Tucson, HSSA operates as a no-kill facility and helps more than 13,000 animals each year find safety, care, and new homes.

HSSA is more than an adoption center. It offers low-cost veterinary services, supports responsible pet ownership, and runs educational programs for all ages. Whether you’re looking to adopt, volunteer, or find affordable pet care, HSSA is a trusted resource with a long-standing commitment to animal welfare.

What Services Does HSSA Provide?

As a full-service animal welfare organization, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona offers a wide range of programs and services designed to support pets and their people:

  • Adoptions: Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and small animals are available for adoption with behavior and medical evaluations provided before placement.
  • Low-Cost Spay & Neuter: Affordable surgical services help reduce pet overpopulation and prevent unwanted litters.
  • Vaccination & Microchipping: Routine vaccines and microchip identification are available at reasonable rates to keep pets healthy and safe.
  • Education & Outreach: HSSA offers youth camps, school visits, and adult education programs focused on humane treatment and responsible pet care.
  • Lost & Found Services: Assistance with reuniting lost pets with their families through online listings and shelter intake.

Adopting a Pet from HSSA

HSSA’s adoption process is designed to create long-lasting matches between pets and families. Each adoptable animal is vaccinated, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and behavior-assessed prior to placement. The adoption staff works closely with visitors to help them find a companion that fits their lifestyle and household.

The adoption center includes dedicated areas for different species and sizes, as well as quiet meeting spaces where potential adopters can spend time with animals before making a decision. Seniors, veterans, and those adopting multiple animals may qualify for adoption fee discounts.

A Lifesaving Mission in Action

As a no-kill shelter, HSSA is committed to ensuring that every healthy and treatable animal in its care has the opportunity to be adopted. This is achieved through careful intake management, strong foster and volunteer networks, and medical support for animals with treatable conditions.

Many families turn to HSSA after losing a pet, seeing adoption as a meaningful way to honor a companion’s memory. If you’re navigating a difficult goodbye, you may want to review this guide on feline kidney disease and quality of life for thoughtful advice on making compassionate decisions.

Veterinary Support and Community Care

In addition to adoptions, HSSA provides preventive veterinary care at affordable prices. Their Spay & Neuter Clinic and Vaccination Clinics help reduce barriers to basic pet health services, especially for low-income households. By offering these options, HSSA works to keep pets healthy, in homes, and out of shelters.

Services are available by appointment, with some walk-in hours for vaccines and microchipping. Seasonal events such as free rabies vaccine days and adoption drives help broaden access even further.

Education and Volunteer Opportunities

HSSA invests in the next generation of animal advocates through its Humane Education program. Youth summer camps, reading programs, and classroom visits help children build empathy and learn about responsible pet ownership. Adult volunteers also play a critical role at the shelter, assisting with animal care, adoptions, and outreach events.

For those unable to adopt, volunteering or fostering is a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of shelter animals. HSSA provides training and flexible schedules for individuals and families ready to help.

Contact and Visit Information

Address: 635 W Roger Road, Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone: (520) 327-6088
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on Mondays

About This Article

This guide is part of a local pet care and wellness series developed by Tucson Vetcalls, a mobile veterinary service offering in-home care for dogs and cats in Southern Arizona. Founded by Dr. Maria Miller, Tucson Vetcalls focuses on personalized, compassionate veterinary support—especially during end-of-life care decisions.

If you’re looking for pet-friendly community resources, be sure to explore local highlights like Crossroads at Silverbell Dog Park and other nearby parks or service providers that support Tucson’s pet-loving community.

To learn more or schedule an in-home consultation, call or text (520) 243-9115 or visit tucsonvetcalls.com.

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"Dear Dr. Miller, Robbie and I want to thank you for all you kind and gentle care of Chessie, even though you didn’t know her. We feel like you were a special angel sent to make this time a little easier. I wish we had known you longer. Thank you again and God Bless you."
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"Dear Dr. Miller Words cannot express how I feel towards the work that you do. I cannot begin to thank you for helping me through such a trying time. Your love and support made it easier to accept the loss of my dog. You truly are a wonderful and caring person. Thank you for making me feel like a friend."
"Dr. Maria Miller, a most gentle and caring Veterinarian, provided us with the strength needed when we had to put our Dalmatian, Domino to sleep. He had reached the fullness of his time. His age coupled with his ailments certainly needed a peaceful relief and a quiet rest. Thank you Dr. Miller."
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Dr. Maria's Bio

Dr. Maria Miller (DVM), known as “Dr. Maria” by her cherished clients, has practiced veterinary medicine for over 30 years. She is the owner and sole practitioner for Vetcalls, one of the most highly ranked veterinary practices in Arizona given its 5.0 google review rating. She is a visionary who recognized the need for in-home veterinary care back in 2000. A multitude of veterinarians followed Dr Maria’s lead over the next 25 years. Featured by numerous media outlets, award winning Tampa news anchor Russell Rhodes did a day-in-the-life segment on Dr. Maria when she practiced in Tampa, FL. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed scientific articles, and completed prestigious internships at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Washington D.C., and at Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston. Dr. Maria graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. A native Tucsonan, she has been happily married for 27 years with two wonderful children. Her home is always bustling with her collection of furry loved ones.