Story by Torre Chisholm – Chief Executive Officer Friends of Pima Animal Care Center
The Eastside PACC Adoptions Center, located at 7225 E. Broadway Blvd, held its Grand Opening on Sept. 26, 2026, with a huge crowd of people looking to adopt. District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy and County Administrator Jan Lesher welcomed everyone to the event, where 27 dogs and 15 cats found homes. (The only reason more cats weren’t adopted is because there were no more in the facility left to adopt!) To put it simply, it was the BIGGEST adoption day since EPAC opened.
The list of speakers at the event included:
Steve Kozachik, PACC Director
Steve Christy, District 4 Supervisor, Pima County Board of Supervisors
Jan Lesher, County Administrator
Torre Chisholm, Friends of PACC Chief Executive Officer
Paul Cunningham, City of Tucson Council Member, Ward 2
Wade Schultz, EPAC Animal Placement Manager
The festivities included some giveaways, cake, and a dunking booth with Kozachik, who found himself in the water quite a few times throughout the celebration.
The idea of an eastside adoptions center for PACC has been years in the making, but it physically started taking shape at the beginning of the year in a former office space, located at 7225 E. Broadway Blvd. Meeting rooms became meet and greet spaces, while individual offices were transformed to hold kennels for dogs. It’s a calm environment where the pets are much more relaxed.
“We know that the main shelter is a stressful environment for dogs and that makes it difficult for them to put their best paw forward,” Kozachik said. “The calm vibe at EPAC is better suited to allow the pups to show their true selves. We’re hopeful that will result in many more pets finding new homes with eastside residents.”
Kozachik also said it wasn’t possible without the support of Friends of Pima Animal Care Center.
“Friends of PACC provided the funding for EPAC because we believed there was a need and demand for adoptable companion animals on the Eastside,” Friends of PACC Director Torre Chisholm said. “The incredible response from the community has proven this to be true.”
Something exclusive to EPAC: A gorgeous mural highlighting the beauty of living in Southern Arizona. Local artist Kat Swan put together a huge mural depicting cats and dogs in front of a desert sunset landscape with the phrase “Finally Home” for those post-adoption photo opportunities. Swan said it was her largest mural to date.
The location only offers adoptions, which means you’ll need to go to the main location on Silverbell for any other needs. Adopters will find 35-50 dogs and a handful of cats at EPAC. All pets adopted from PACC and EPAC are microchipped, spayed or neutered, and up to date on vaccinations.
The facility is open the same hours as the main shelter on Silverbell Road:
PACC and EPAC’s Hours of Operation:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – Noon to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday – 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday – 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information contact pima.gov/animalcare (520) 724-5940
