Dr. Steven Hansen oversees AHS’s organizational operations and leads the execution of its strategic plan. Under the Weils’ fundraising leadership, the society was able to open the Nina Mason Pulliam South Mountain Campus in 2002. It vastly increased AHS’s ability to tend injured and ill animals, along with increasing the spay and neutering program. Still, Maricopa County was second-worst in the country — only behind Los Angeles County — when it came to caring for stray, injured and unwanted animals. Then the man who would change everything arrived on the scene. After 16 years with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York, Dr. Steven Hansen became the AHS top dog in 2013. Not only does his enthusiasm for the animals of Arizona shine through in every word he speaks, but his compassion and guiding hand have made measurable differences in Arizona animals’ lives. In the last eight years alone, AHS has saved an additional 130,000 pets over previous time frames. That equates to an 83 percent decrease in euthanasia. Intake has also declined by 61 percent during that time, largely due to AHS’s Pet Resource Center. This call center’s kind and empathetic individuals connect pet owners with affordable resources. Given what Arizonans and their pets have endured over the last two years, it’s hard to imagine what might have been without AHS. “Our goal is to always keep animals in their homes,” Hansen said. Providing discounted veterinary services and supplies helps them do that. But Hansen had a bigger vision, not limited by determination, but by space. He dreamed of a new facility that would expand animal welfare. A facility where infectious diseases (previously fatal for lack of vaccines and treatment) could be controlled by ventilated air, scrubbed free of germs. One with an evening-hours clinic at affordable prices, kids camps for learning about animal care, and adult educational opportunities. Hansen’s vision has become the Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus. And to make it a reality, Hansen could imagine no one better to serve as honorary chairs of the fundraising campaign cabinet than AHS’s previous heroes, Chip and Daryl Weil. The Weils generously accepted the challenge. So how does this campaign differ? First, it comes with a much larger goal than the South Mountain Campus had: $49 million. “This used to be a vacation destination,” Chip said. “People came to visit and then went back to their hometowns to donate to their local charities. Raising a large amount was difficult, mostly coming from big businesses, like banks and newspapers.” Increasingly, local individuals are stepping up. “The Valley population has almost doubled since 2002. Wealth has expanded, too, and that’s resulted in the creation of foundations and individuals’ ability to contribute,” Chip said. Three foundations — the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation, the Lazin Animal Foundation and the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust — laid the groundwork, along with Mike and Cindy Watts, who donated the land. Additional funding is still being raised. Both the Weils and Dr. Hansen are quick to point out that every donor dollar counts, whether it’s $5 or $5,000. So, what will those dollars accomplish? They will create an animal facility like no other in the country. “We are transforming what it means to be an animal in Arizona. The future of animal welfare is happening here. It’s happening now. The idea of an animal shelter as a ‘pound’ is a historic relic,” he said. | 16 | FURRY FRIENDS 2022

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