Ruby—2-years-old —Pit Bull Mix—F—#724594

Ruby is the definition of a love-bug! This goofy gal is bounding with energy and enthusiasm; she has a joy for life that is simply contagious. Ruby came to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona as an owner release and is in need of a family to shower with hugs and kisses. This beautiful girl is looking for a home that can offer her lots of daily exercise, an indoor lifestyle, obedience training as she is extremely smart, and endless snuggles. Ruby is a jewel and she will likely be a light to any family she joins. Please come by HSSA today to meet her!

This entrancing trio will steal your heart! Momma, Big Boy, and Gri Gri have been looking for their forever home since March of 2014! This bonded trio is very well mannered and has lots of love to give. They will snuggle their way into your family! Momma, Big Boy, and Gri Gri all have to go home together, and they will enrich the lives of their new family three times as much! Stop by the Humane Society of Southern Arizona to meet them.

Remember a few weeks back when I told you to go vote for Tucson as the "Top City for Pets." Well, thanks for listening! We won! And now the Humane Society of Southern Arizona is getting some cash! Woo!

PetSmart’s Pet360.com hosted its first "Pet Parents’ Choice Awards." Based on user votes, Tucson took the top spot in the “Top City for Pets” category.

Here's what Pet360.com had to say:

Sporting 30 pet-friendly restaurants, six off-leash parks and 90 pet-friendly hotels, the Arizona city outpaced the other nominees – Austin, Charleston, Portland and Seattle. The win features a $5,000 dollar donation to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, as well as 50,000 meals gifted by Natural Balance help feed the local shelter’s dogs and cats, all of whom are looking for a loving home. As second runner-up, Austin and its Austin Pets Alive shelter will also receive similar donation of 50,000 meals. 

“With this win, Tucson residents have not only demonstrated their enthusiasm for their city, but for the love of their pets,” said Wendy Toth, Editor-in-Chief, Pet360.com.

Awh. We do love our pets.

This just in from the Humane Society of Southern Arizona:

It is raining cats here at HSSA and we need to find these friendly felines their forever homes. Today through Sunday 8/2 at HSSA Main Campus and both PAWSH Mall locations cats 6 months and older will have 50 percent off adoption fees. Adoption fees are as follows:
Adult cats: 6 months- 6 years: $40 adoption fee (originally $80)
Senior cats: 6 years+: $25 adoption fee (originally $50)
Come on out and meet your new best friend!

I don't understand what the Minnesota dentist, Walter James Palmer, gained from killing, beheading and skinning Cecil the lion. What a useless investment of $50,000 (that's allegedly about how much this guy paid to kill Cecil). 

CNN reported that the dentist and his guides—a professional hunter and a land owner, both residents of Zimbabwe— lured Cecil out of the Hwange National Park with a dead animal on top of a vehicle to then shoot him on private land. First, Palmer shot Cecil with a crossbow and 40 hours later shot him with a gun.

(Palmer says he was relying on the guides to ensure a "legal kill." Here's a good recap of it all by CNN.)

Palmer's two guides were recently released from jail on a $1,000 bond each, and could reportedly face 10 years in prison. According to CNN, Zimbabwe officials want to speak with Palmer, and he has said that he'll cooperate with any investigation. "Although, he said in his statement that he had yet to be contacted by officials in the U.S. or Zimbabwe," the write up says.

Well, the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals thinks extradition and execution are viable punishment options.

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk issued this statement:

Hunting is a coward’s pastime. If, as has been reported, this dentist and his guides lured Cecil out of the park with food so as to shoot him on private property, because shooting him in the park would have been illegal, he needs to be extradited, charged, and, preferably, hanged.

To get a thrill at the cost of a life, this man gunned down a beloved lion, Cecil with a high-powered weapon. All wild animals are beloved by their own mates and infants, but to hunters like this overblown, over-privileged little man, who lack empathy, understanding, and respect for living creatures, they are merely targets to kill, decapitate, and hang up on a wall as a trophy. The photograph of this dentist, smiling over the corpse of another animal, who, like Cecil, wanted only to be left in peace, will disgust every caring soul in the world.

Yes, this guy is a dick and a reminder of greedy, ignorant tourists who go to foreign countries expecting to eff things up, disrespect what's sacred, and expect to pay their way out of any trouble. But PETA just took this conversation into the depths of the dark side (and reaffirmed PETA critics on the thought that they are a bunch of nut jobs) suggesting to hang the dude. I think extradition (after all, he killed an animal that was living in sanctuary) and a nice stay in a Zimbabwe prison should teach Palmer a lesson or two. Unfortunately, it'd be unsurprising to hear that, aside from public shame, he won't suffer any other repercussions.

Hi everybody! My name is Leo and I'm on the hunt for a new family. I am the perfect dog, if I do say so myself. I'm great on a leash, a perfect lounger and I'm already house trained. What more could you want?

I'm not too picky when it comes to my new home. I'd really love a family that could take me on a good walk or two a day. After all, I have a physique to maintain! I do a perfect job of manning the grill, but hold a zero tolerance policy of talking during the football game. I enjoy actions movies and rom-coms, but don't tell the ladies.

All joking aside, I'd really love a new home. I've been waiting for some time now and the staff all tell me that my family is waiting just around the corner. If you think we're soul mates, please come and meet me. 
Leo—5-years-old —Pit Bull Mix—M—#798406

If you Like the Humane Society of Southern Arizona on Facebook, then you already know that our fair city has been nominated as a “Top City for Pets” by PetSmart’s Pet360.com. The winning city (we're one of five finalists) will receive a $5,000 dollar donation for a local animal shelter. That's pretty cool, right?

Well, we received an email saying Tucson is currently a very (That's right they said "very," underline and all) close second to Austin, Texas. We can't let those Texan fools win, so get voting!

In another sunny U.S. city — Tucson, Arizona — dogs reign supreme. This Arizona city has approximately 30 pet­friendly restaurants, six off­leash areas and 90 pet­friendly hotel options. With around 350 sunny days a year, Tucson is one of the sunniest cities in the U.S., which makes it a great place to go explore some of the many outdoor areas available to all pups. Then, after a long day of hitting the great outdoors, owners can lavish their dogs or cats with relaxing treatments at one of the tons of different spa and pet boutiques in the area. And fear not – all breeds are welcome in Tucson. In fact, the city hosts an annual Pitbulooza specifically to honor National Pit Bull Awareness Day.

Kayla is too sweet for her own good! Easily stealing the hearts of many since being at Humane Society of Southern Arizona for four months, Kayla is one darling pup! Kayla is gentle, playful, easy to walk, and has a beautiful temperament. Although this adorable girl can be quite shy in some situations, she is likely to warm up quickly to those that give her a good back-scratch. Kayla is looking for an indoor lifestyle with a family that has a calm home environment, no cats, and lots of love to give. Kayla will need patience and plenty of adjustment time as well. If given the chance, this sweetheart will easily become the furry love of your life! Please come by HSSA today to meet precious Kayla.

Kayla—3.5-years-old —Pit Bull Mix—F—#803050

Selene—8 years-old —Domestic Medium Hair Mix—F—#808560

Hello! My name is Selene and the staff says I am just purrrr-fect. I came to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona as a transfer and am on the hunt for my forever family. I am very sweet and loving, and I purr constantly. I love to nuzzle under your neck and fall asleep. I would really love a home that is relaxed and can give me a neck scratch every once in a while. If you’re interested in being my new family, please stop by the Main Campus and ask to meet me. But be careful because you’ll fall in love with me right away!

Reed—1.5 years old—Domestic Medium Hair Mix—M—#800463

Reed is quite the character. Reed came to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona as a transfer back in February and is still looking for the purrfect home! This quirky guy is full of personality and he loves to follow you wherever you go. Reed loves company but also enjoys playing with toys on his own. He loves routine and will join you in a nice game of keep-away. He is looking for an indoor-only home that will give him lots of love and devotion. If you think Reed would be a great fit for you, stop by the Main Campus and ask to meet him!