Pima County’s Open-Admission Shelter with a Lifesaving Mission
Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) is the largest animal shelter in Southern Arizona and serves as the official open-admission facility for Pima County. Located in Tucson, PACC provides comprehensive services that support not only lost and homeless animals but also the families who love them. With a focus on saving lives, preventing pet homelessness, and strengthening the human-animal bond, PACC plays a central role in the region’s animal welfare landscape.
From pet adoptions to low-cost services and community support, PACC offers a safety net for thousands of animals each year. Its progressive approach includes medical care, behavioral enrichment, fostering programs, and a robust initiative known as Keeping Families Together—designed to prevent pet surrender due to temporary hardship.
Key Services Offered by PACC
As a county-run facility, PACC serves all of Pima County with programs that reflect a commitment to both animal well-being and public health:
- Open-Admission Shelter: PACC accepts all animals brought in, regardless of age, breed, health status, or behavior.
- Pet Adoptions: The center has the largest selection of adoptable pets in the region, including dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and small animals.
- Lost and Found Services: A centralized system to help reunite lost pets with their families through online listings, microchip scans, and on-site recovery support.
- Pet Support Center: This department connects struggling pet owners with resources like food assistance, behavior training, and temporary fostering.
- Low-Cost Medical Services: PACC partners with local groups to offer vaccinations, spay/neuter, and urgent care for pets of low-income families.
The Keeping Families Together Program
One of PACC’s most impactful initiatives is its Keeping Families Together program. Recognizing that many pets are surrendered due to temporary financial hardship or housing instability, this program helps owners keep their pets through access to:
- Pet food and supplies
- Temporary housing or fostering
- Medical care assistance
- Behavioral support and counseling
By addressing the root causes of pet surrender, PACC is reducing intake numbers and strengthening the community’s relationship with its animals.
Adopting from PACC
With the largest number of adoptable animals in Southern Arizona, PACC provides a wide range of options for individuals and families looking to welcome a new pet. The shelter’s staff and volunteers help match adopters with pets that fit their lifestyle and preferences.
Adoption fees are affordable, and all pets come spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. The adoption center also runs regular promotions that reduce or waive fees to encourage placement of long-term or senior animals.
A Modern, Community-Focused Shelter
In recent years, PACC has transformed into a modern facility focused on transparency, live outcomes, and public involvement. The shelter offers tours, volunteer opportunities, and educational outreach to increase community engagement and support.
For dogs with chronic health conditions like Cushing’s disease, PACC also provides medical assessments and helps potential adopters understand care needs. If you’re unsure about long-term care, this guide to Cushing’s in dogs explains how to assess quality of life and treatment options.
Fostering and Volunteering at PACC
Fostering is a critical part of PACC’s strategy to free up space, reduce stress on animals, and prepare them for adoption. Foster caregivers provide short-term homes for animals recovering from illness, nursing litters, or simply needing a break from the shelter environment.
Volunteers also play a major role. From walking dogs to assisting with events and office support, there are many ways to get involved at PACC, whether you have an hour a week or more to give.
Location and Contact Info
Address: 4000 N Silverbell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85745
Phone: (520) 724-5900
Website: Pima Animal Care Center
About This Article
This article is part of a local pet care resource series from Tucson Vetcalls, a mobile veterinary service offering in-home support across Southern Arizona. Founded by Dr. Maria Miller, Tucson Vetcalls specializes in gentle end-of-life care, pain management, and quality-of-life evaluations for pets in their final stages.
To explore other pet-focused locations in Tucson, check out the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, which also offers adoption services and low-cost veterinary care.
To learn more or schedule an in-home visit, call or text (520) 243-9115 or visit tucsonvetcalls.com.
