DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TAZ & Daniel, ADOPTED TAZ and her two dog friends were accepted into foster care twice, out of a domestic violence situation.  A short time after she was reunited with her owner for the second time, she was thrown out of a car by her owner’s abuser in the middle of a busy Phoenix intersection.  She made her way to a nearby convenience store.  A truck driver picked her up and called The Last Resort, Inc. to tell the sad story (she was still wearing one of our identification tags).  He intended to adopt her as she had ridden along with him the whole day. We knew TAZ would never be safe with her owner, so we agreed. Unfortunately, she ate his wife's photo album and gnawed on their sofa.  The honeymoon was over.  He brought her back to us on a midnight run to Tucson.   We twice more tried to adopt her.  She was “too lively” for one, and “too big” for another.  Finally, she met Daniel and she was “just right”.

We have a network of providers who will care for a companion animal in foster care for the duration of the crisis.  There is no time limit.  Animals have remained in foster care from 1 day up to several years. When the crisis has ended, the owner will be reunited with their companion animal.

We have foster care providers who are adept at caring for dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, reptiles, amphibians, hoofed animals and exotics.
 

HOMELESSNESS - MENTAL ILLNESS Cryil, BRANDY & CHANCE, REUNITED Cyril has a mental disability.  He was being evicted.  He needed a placement for his two gentle giants, BRANDY and CHANCE.  We found a last minute placement for them with a woman we had helped several years earlier.  She was now in a position to help someone as she had once been helped.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE BORIS, REUNITED Mike's sister called and asked us to take BORIS, her brother's ferret.  He needed residential treatment for his alcohol abuse, but no facility would allow BORIS to accompany him and he refused to go unless he could be assured BORIS would be safe during long-term treatment.  Treatment was successful.  Shortly after Mike and BORIS were reunited, Mike helped us find a placement for an abandoned dog we found near our main facility.

REQUIREMENTS

Dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered or owner must agree to spay or neuter and pay for associated costs.  No exceptions unless waived by veterinarian.

 

Dogs, cats and ferrets must have proof of current vaccinations or owner must agree to vaccinate and pay associated costs.

 

Cats must be tested for feline leukemia or have recent documentation of positive or negative status, or owner must agree to test and pay associated costs.

 

Dogs must be licensed and wearing current tag.  No exceptions.

 

Owner may not visit animal while in foster care at provider's home or at main facility.  However, animals may be transported to nursing homes or neutral visitation site if and when time and staffing permit.  There will be a charge for this service.

 

A renewable contract must be signed between the owner or responsible party and a Last Resort representative.  Contracts are generally in 30 day increments but some may be for longer intervals: 3 months, 6 months or 1 year.  At the end of the contract period, a new contract may be negotiated at the option of both parties.

 

If the owner does not renegotiate the contract within seven days after contract expiration, the companion animal will be placed in a suitable home.

INCARCERATION DOMINO & Cenobia, REUNITED When Cenobia was arrested, her longtime companion DOMINO was with her.  Frightened by the commotion, he jumped from her car, and climbed up a pole.  DOMINO was arrested too, by responding animal control officers, and taken to the pound.  With DOMINO'S time running out, a Last Resort representative met Cenobia at the jail where she signed a foster care contract.  He was immediately bailed out and taken to our main facility.  A short time later he was reunited with his “mom” and he has been instrumental in her rehabilitation.

Referrals to The Last Resort, Inc. come from social service agencies (domestic violence shelters, mental health providers, travelers’ assistance societies), government agencies (animal control centers, police departments), private animal welfare organizations (humane societies) and community professionals (attorneys and veterinarians).  We also accept direct calls for assistance from people in need.
 
 

DEATH MAXX & SUZY, REUNITED MAXX’s owner Linda was terminally ill.  None of her children could take MAXX after she died.  As they became adults, they settled in different parts of the country.  After four years, Sylvia, Linda's oldest daughter returned for a visit.  Of course, MAXX remembered her.  Sylvia now had a home and children of her own.  The Last Resort flew MAXX from Arizona to Washington State where he was reunited with his family.

Our services are not free but they are nominal, ranging from one dollar for a week's supply of crickets for a tarantula, to $75 a month for a 90+ pound Rottweiler.

We cannot help in every crisis but we will attempt to work out a humane solution wherever possible.
 

ILLNESS SWEETPEA & Harold, ADOPTED Harold was too sick to remain at home.  After a brief hospitalization, he was transported to a long term nursing facility.  His beloved SWEETPEA visited him during the fourteen months he lived there.  When Harold died, SWEETPEA was adopted.

                                                                          

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE KANAKA & PHYLLIS, REUNITED KANAKA, an African gray parrot, was as much a victim of domestic violence as her owner Phyllis. In a fit of rage, the abuser mutilated KANAKA. He ripped her sensitive beak until she was bleeding, crying in pain and unable to feed herself. Weeks after the attack, Phyllis was still feeding Kanaka by hand. Kanaka's suffering was the last straw and gave Phyllis the courage to leave her abuser forever. She surreptitiously planned her escape. When the time was right, she sought refuge at a women's shelter after making arrangements for Kanaka's placement at The Last Resort. Kanaka's beak slowly began to re-grow. Today Kanaka is thriving and has been reunited with Phyllis.

 

The Humane Society of Tucson  

Pima Animal Control Center

 

Animal Experts, Inc.

  

ADOPTED Shelby & Diane This is Shelby, a beautiful 5 1/2 year old purebred black and white neutered Sheltie, with her previous owner, Diane, who passed away several months ago. Her family was unable to keep Shelby and asked The Last Resort to assist in finding a good home for him. This was Shelby's third visit with us. Shelby found a home with Sharon and we are happy for them both!

 

REUNITED - Gloria & Einstein       Einstein and his two kitty companions came to The Last Resort several years ago after Gloria and her daughter Bonnie became homeless. This photo was taken at recent reunion of companion animals and their foster care providers.

                    

Judy (The Last Resort's "Bird Lady") with KANAKA at companion animal reunion.

 

Friends of The Last Resort From left to right: Joan & Mabel, Suzanne, Jean, Pete, Carol & Toto, Daniel & Dallas, Louise & Taz, Freckles, and Bailey.

 

The Last Resort, Inc.  is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code section 501 (3)(c).  Your donations are tax deductible.  Donations may be made to: The Last Resort, Inc. PO Box 5021 Tucson, AZ 85703 Email Inquires: thelastresortaz@cox.net
Donations are used to offset the cost of food, transportation and veterinary services.  If you are interested in becoming a foster care provider, volunteer or learning how to help, please call us at 520-792-9290.