PAST ISSUES

Story by Rebecca West Photos courtesy of El Jefe Cat Café & Hunter’s Kitten Lounge Over the last decade, the world has been introduced to an increasing number of cat cafés. In the U.S., they’ve cropped up coast to coast, and here in Tucson, we have two now. The...

Woofstock Cover Dog Contest Winner The One and Only Pi!

The cover of the Tucson Magazine has been graced with many a beautiful face over the years- big dogs, small dogs, short hair and long, black dogs, white dogs, gray and fawn- without completely derailing into a Doctor Seuss story, let us suffice to say that we are...

The Golden Pals Program: Making a Meaningful Difference in the Lives of Seniors

Story by Rebecca West Everyone deserves companionship, regardless of age or any other factor that might appear as a barrier to some. Recognizing that, local rescue Hope of Deliverance had a brainstorm leading to the announcement of a new program in honor of renowned...

Waddling into the Spotlight: Penguins Take National Penguin Day

Story by Heather McShea Every January 20th, the world pauses to celebrate creatures who dress better than most of us at weddings: It’s National Penguin Day.  With their tuxedo plumage, these comedic, charming, flightless creatures may look like they’re dressed for a...

Spay and Neuter Efforts See a Renewed Increase in Advocacy Throughout the Southwest

Story by Rebecca West Spay and neuter isn’t just about curbing chronic overpopulation problems. It’s about saving lives. When you read that, you’re likely thinking about animals left to fend for themselves on the streets, who die from malnutrition, disease, abuse, or...

Makes No Scents: Pets Experience Scents on a Whole Different Level

Story by Dr. Lisa S. Newman The Holistic Animal Care Shoppe Many pet parents rarely get clear answers about those nice-smelling sprays, scented candles, plug-ins, dryer sheets, and “odor-neutralizing” miracle products; that they can pack a dangerous chemical punch for...

Having a Safe, Happy & Healthy Holiday Season

Story by Jen Lisk, Jenny Cain & Jeremy Brown of The Complete Canine The holiday season is a time of joy, laughter, and family, furry ones included. But amid the celebrations, the sights, smells, and routines in our homes change dramatically. From rich foods to...

Introducing The Ravishing Trixie! 7th Annual Holiday Cover Dog Contest Winner!

Story by Bonnie Craig Happy fall, Tucson dogs! The leaves may not get colorful in our neck of the woods until December, but it sure must be nice to have cool nights and mornings to frolic and fetch, free from those embarrassing booties the humans make you wear all...

Food Banks Aren’t Just for People: How the Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank is Keeping Pets Fed

Story by Vicki Austin Our animals are part of the family, providing companionship, stress relief, and emotional support. Some families in Tucson might not be able to feed their animals. They may be homeless and without resources; perhaps they’re a veteran, just...

Gabriel’s Angels: 25 Years Sharing Confidence, Resilience, and Connection

Story by Bonnie Craig, Photos Courtesy of Gabriel’s Angels For many of us it is hard to believe that it has been 25 years since Y2K, but on the other hand, it may seem like a lifetime ago, the world changing so much along the way. Regardless, an amazing non-profit...

Jerry’s Law: An AZ Welfare Bill With Teeth

Story by Rebecca West Images courtesy of Arizona Humane Society & Koco Garcia Three cheers for the Arizona Humane Society (AHS), Senator Shawnna Bolick, and Governor Katie Hobbs! It’s been a long time coming, and it wasn’t without its starts and stops. But...

It’s Back! The 6th Annual Dogtoberfest Adopt-A-Thon – Don’t Miss Out

A relaxing day in the park? Check! Heaps of fun? Check! Taste-tempting food and shopping opportunities? Check! Easing Tucson’s homeless pet population and supporting animal welfare? Double check! From the moment visitors arrive, the infectious buzz of laughing voices,...

Buford to the Rescue! Hero Ranch Dog Works at More Than Guarding Livestock

Story by Rebecca West Images courtesy of Dawn Dunton Being a working dog on a ranch isn’t always solely about herding or keeping an eye on livestock. Their jobs can vary, and sometimes, they get up to their own business when left to their own devices. Take Burford, a...

Cover Story: TPD’s ESD K9 Zona: No Ordinary Working Girl

Story by Rebecca West Photos courtesy of Gayle Warren In this issue, we’re celebrating working dogs and the important jobs they undertake. Many have been bred for their roles. Others fall into them. Historically, they were bred to safeguard humans and livestock. Over...

From Glue Factory to Madison Square Garden: The Amazing Story of Harry & Snowman

Story by Rebecca West Photos Courtesy of FilmRise-Harry and Snowman If you’re like most people, you can’t resist a great feel-good story. And if you have an affinity for horses, you’re going to love this one. This is a story to rival National Velvet, Secretariat,...

The 6th Annual Woofstock Adopt-A-Thon 2025 A Day of Adoptions and Fun In The Sun

Story by Heather McShea The weather was perfect as KGUN 9’s Claire Graham joined us for the day, showing off the many adoptable dogs and introducing pets and their humans as they participated in the contests. Claire, along with Jacob Acosta—a regular musical talent at...

Cover Story: Radio’s Matt & Randi Gentry And Their “Drive” for Animal Advocacy

Story by Rebecca West Meet Matt and Randi Gentry, two radio personalities who’ve joined the quest to improve the lives of rescue animals here in Southern Arizona. We were fortunate enough to have them come out and support us at Woofstock at the end of March, and their...

Summertime Enrichment Games & Booty Training for Hot Summer Days

Story & Photos by Jeremy Brown and Jenny Cain of The Complete Canine Enrichment is an important aspect to consider when we have pets, especially during the extreme heat of summer in the desert. Providing engaging activities helps burn energy, stimulates the brain...

Extending Your Cat’s Life Could Be as Easy as This One Simple Thing

Story by Rebecca West While felines possess remarkable gifts, such as extraordinary agility and exceptional survival skills, having nine lives isn’t among those treasures, regardless of what we may hope for or would like to believe. What we can do, however, is prolong...

Introducing Hastings Pupperkins! 2025 Woofstock Cover Dog Winner!

Story by Bonnie Craig Break out your beads and bellbottoms, Tucson dogs, because Woofstock is here once again! Get ready for a raucous good time as party animals of all shapes and sizes come out to celebrate in the spring sunshine. Of course no Woofstock celebration...

Friends of Pima Animal Care Center Has Announced Its Plans To Open An Affordable Veterinary Clinic: Friends of PACC Community Pet Clinic

Story by the Team at Friends of PACC Accessing affordable veterinary care is a difficult reality for many Pima County families and their pets. While local veterinary providers are doing their best to provide space and contain costs, the need for care continues to...

Zach Skow and the Pawsitive Change Project, “It Was The Dogs”

Story and Photos Provided by Candice Eaton At the end of a long day on Safari, participants sit down to watch the sunset and discuss the day. That is what Amy Cubillas, the Director of The Sanctuary Project envisioned when she planned the sunset fundraising event to...

Arizona’s Sampson, the Science Service Dog, Becomes Sampson the Hero Dog Winner

Story by Rebecca West You may have seen him in the news or on social media decked out in his lab gear. The images have melted hearts around the world. A sweet-faced golden retriever with a temperament to match, Sampson, the science service dog, became a trailblazer...

Aimee’s Farm: How Standing Up for Animals Without a Voice Helps Save People, Too

Story by Rebecca West Described as a healing sanctuary for animals and differently-abled humans, Aimee’s Farm Animal Sanctuary in Queen Creek has made it its mission to rescue, rehabilitate, re-home, and spread awareness of farm animals in need while creating a...

Introducing Oh-So-Handsome HOODOO! 6th Annual Holiday Cover Dog Contest Winner!

Story by Bonnie Craig Happy fall to all you desert creatures great and small! Old Pueblo pups are celebrating the return of long walks without booties or heat exhaustion, cool nights snuggled up with their people, and of course, the latest Tucson Dog Magazine cover...

Luna’s Second Chance: How the Medical Team at HSSA Saved Her Life

Story by Jonathan Neuser Humane Society of Southern Arizona When Mark and his family brought their beloved dog, Luna, to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA), they faced a heartbreaking decision. Luna, an eight-year-old Australian Labradoodle, was in constant...

Make Halloween Safe for your Pups!

Story by Meganne Carpenter Regional Scout for Camp Bow Wow Tucson and Tucson East Halloween is a howling good time for most of us humans, but it can be a scary and potentially dangerous time for many of our beloved pups. It’s important to be prepared so you and your...

Disabled & Handicapable Dogs Have Just as Much to Live For & Give

Story by Rebecca West What does it take to have a disabled pup that requires some type of mobility device in order for them to have some semblance of normalcy in their life? For the most part, the answer is a whole lot of love in your heart and a patient, giving...

The Purple Leash Project: Keeping Domestic Violence Victims & Their Pets Together & Alive

Story by Rebecca West With October on the horizon, we should all take a moment to recognize the contributions of the Purple Leash Project and everything it’s doing for victims of domestic violence and the animals they refuse to leave behind. Why October, and what’s...

Old Souls Animal Rescue & Retirement Home

Story and Photos contributed by Executive Director, Paula Rivadeneira Old Souls is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that takes in geriatric, special needs, and hospice animals of all kinds, including dogs, cats, tortoises, and farm animals. The animals come primarily...

When the Rescuer Needs Rescuing: A Story of Gratitude, Caring, & Compassion

Story by Rebecca West If you’ve been reading The Tucson Dog since its inception, you’ll likely remember that it was founded by animal advocate Ann Herrington back in 2017. The magazine was one of three publications dedicated to promoting the human/animal bond and...

The Street Dog Coalition: Holistic, Humane Healing for the Unhoused of all Species

Story by Bonnie Craig, Photos Provided by The Street Dog Coalition Becoming unhoused is unimaginable to many people, despite the fact that many are also only a paycheck or two away from that reality themselves. Seeing others struggling to survive in Tucson’s streets...

Should You Bring Your Dog with You on Vacation?

Story by Meganne Carpenter, Regional Scout, Camp Bow Wow Tucson East With summer upon us, many people have vacation on their minds. Though a lot of pet parents would love to bring their furry friend along for the ride, it’s not always the easiest option. Whether you...

Meet KGUN 9’s Claire Graham, Animal Lover & Rescue Advocate

Story by Rebecca West Photos courtesy of Claire Graham When you’ve found a career that suits you and have a talent for it, you can consider yourself lucky. But when you find one that you’re able to combine with one of your greatest passions, you can very well consider...

No Animals Were Harmed. . . How American Humane Got Involved in Movies

Story by Rebecca West Since 1877, the group known as American Humane has been promoting the welfare and safety of animals. That year, on October 9 in Cleveland, Ohio, a group of concerned Humane Society reps from around the country founded the association in order to...

Casper The American Farm Bureau’s “Farm Dog of the Year”