Staff and volunteers have been working to realize greater success rates at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC).

Personnel have found improved situations for over 90 percent of the animals in the past eight months, according to an announcement. That number reflects the diligence of a task force established in 2014 to assess service and propose improvements at the request of the Maricopa County board of supervisors; now, the facility is saving hundreds of more animals monthly than it had previously.

“People have been working their tails off,” MCACC Director Mary Martin said in the announcement. “Volunteers are amazing. It’s spectacular what they do for this organization, and it’s because of them and because of our more than 100 partners, both new and old, that we've been able to save more lives.”

Responding to input from the task force and nearby community, the shelter increased playtime hours, the number of adoption events and efforts at rehabilitation for traumatized dogs. Additionally, MCACC partnered with extra groups invested in the potential pets’ welfare, whether by supplying food, equipment or shelter.

“As a board we knew improvements needed to be made at our shelter,” Chairman Denny Barney of District 1 said in the announcement. “Forming the task force was the first step. We are now saving more than 90 percent of the animals that come in. We are definitely moving in the right direction thanks to our community partners and individuals who have attended the adoption events and helped saved lives.”