MARCH 2018 12 | supporters, the Arizona Humane Society event is one of the area’s most popular fundraisers. Among the supporters is Ann Siner (the sister born cuddling a kitten), who has served on animal welfare boards for three decades and sat on Arizona Humane Society’s board for eight years. Her counterpart Tess Loo (the sister who came out clutching a handbag) has served the organization in a creative capacity for several years. Their partnership is nothing new. The two have been shaking up the Valley for more than 25 years, since My Sister’s Closet reshaped how people in Arizona shop. Today, they boast six stores in total, filled with clothes that are among the best consignment stores have to offer. Style- and price-conscious women raid these locations in search of their favorite labels. But there is a deeper intention behind the stores. Along with the inherent sustainability of reselling designer duds, Siner and Loo embrace the chance to leverage what they do for the community’s benefit. “Everything that doesn’t sell gets split between charity-based thrift stores,” Siner said. Arizona Humane Society has three thrift store locations and, in 2014, after recognizing the need to aid those less fortunate, My Sister’s Closet put their own 501(c)3 charity into place, giving 100% of net profits to Arizona Humane Society and a few other philanthropic partners. To date, My Sister’s Closet has contributed more than $300,000 to local causes. It has also donated unsold goods and money, now totaling nearly $7 million, to animal welfare organizations in both California and Arizona, all in an effort to help “save the lives of those without voices.” The sisters’ dedication to eco-fashion is evident as the stores also repurpose the damaged, ripped or discarded items they often receive to a bulk fabric collector who then uses the materials to create new fashions, ensuring that nothing that enters the stores goes to waste. Though their charitable methods have changed over the years, their mission has remained the same: help those who need their help most. Siner and Loo have designated their primary causes as wildlife, the environment, homeless pets and helping women. Has having such active supporters transformed the Arizona Humane Society? In many ways, yes. For years, Arizona was listed as one of the states with the worst pet overpopulation problem in the country. The reason: Our warm weather allows for breeding to happen year-round. Thanks in part to partners like my My Sister’s Closet and PetSmart Charities, Arizona is no longer on this list. Nearly four years ago, the state was removed because of the roughly 60,000 additional dogs and cats that had been rescued. “Arizona Humane Society has made a conscious effort to focus on the hospital and rescue component of saving pets’ lives, rather than so heavily on spay and neuter,” Siner said. Arizona Humane Society has also continued to advocate and assist with spay and neuter programs in critical neighborhoods, but has incentivized these procedures by covering the cost and providing pet owners with a $25 gift card. Over the years, Compassion with Fashion has served as the strongest vehicle to drive support to Arizona Humane Society and the programs that are critical to our community. The event sells out every year and has a strong following; however, innovating has been critical to its continued success. With COVER STORY CONTINUED

MARCH 2018 | 13 COVER STORY CONTINUED SNEAK PEEK For the first time in Compassion with Fashion history, the organization will hold a live auction. The featured item will be a custom 48”x48” painting by famed pet artist Ron Burns. Burns, whose work is known for capturing the essence of dogs, has contributed his talents to the Arizona Humane Society many times over the years. So when board member and Compassion with Fashion co-chair Ann Siner asked him to create something special for the 20 th anniversary of the event, he graciously agreed to pick up his brushes to support the pets of Maricopa County once again.