Better Cities for Pets Grant from Mars Petcare

Geographic Scope: Phoenix, Arizona and the Valley

Focus Areas:

• Support for unhoused families and their pets
• Street outreach and homeless community support
• Provision of veterinary care, pet food, and supplies
• Temporary boarding services
• Connection to shelter, housing, and stabilization services

Program Overview:
The BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program was created by Mars Petcare in partnership with experts in city planning, animal welfare, and government stakeholders. The program includes a playbook for cities, city and airport certification programs, grants, best practice research, policy advocacy, and free online resources.

Impact:

• More than 100 cities have been certified through the program
• Nearly $500,000 in grants awarded to support pet-friendly initiatives

Recipient Information:
The City of Phoenix and The Arizona Pet Project received this grant to support the Homeless Community Counselor role, which connects people and pets living in homeless shelters, encampments, on the street, and in cars with care and resources.

Focus on Human-Animal Bond:
Research shows that people experiencing homelessness prioritize their pet's needs ahead of their own. The program recognizes how transformative the human-animal bond can be, providing mental and physical health benefits.

Contact Information:

• The Arizona Pet Project
• Phone: (602) 882-8627
• Email: info@azpetproject.org
• Address: 3905 N 7th Avenue #7611, Phoenix, AZ 85011