Poverty's Pets

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Poverty's Pets

Poverty's Pets supports under-served communities with a focus on spay/neuter & community education.

Poverty’s Pets was incorporated in 2005 under the direction of the Founder and Animal Advocate, Kate Sivolella and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. With a mission of aiding abandoned, neglected, and abused companion animals in low-income and underserved communities, Poverty’s Pets also provides education programs and veterinary care services (including spay/neuter) to families in the low-incom

e areas of Phoenix, AZ. In addition to these initiatives, Poverty’s Pets partners with local schools to educate students on the respect and welfare for all beings, and to promote positive interactions between the dogs and students. Since 2008, Poverty’s Pets has facilitated the adoption of over 1000 animals, provides medical services (including spay and neuter) to over 800 each year. With a compassionate volunteer network, it is Poverty’s Pets goal to end animal cruelty, suffering, overpopulation and homelessness.

09/04/2026

Just today, the Arizona Humane Society told us, once again, that this case is closed—despite our NUMEROUS calls explaining in great detail that the owner is not well and is unable to properly care for these dogs.

But apparently 🙄, the two times AHS visited the property, the dogs had clean drinking water.

The frustration with our conversations with the Arizona Humane Society is that they DON'T LISTEN. Or perhaps they simply don't understand what we are telling them.

Over and over, we have stressed that the owner is not capable of caring for these dogs—unable to walk, lift, clean their bowls or consistently provide for their basic needs.

The source of water on this property comes from a leaking hose that fills the gigantic hole the dogs have dug in 115°, presumably trying to find cooler ground. Yet, miraculously, each time AHS has visited the property, the water has been crystal clear.

Today's visit was different.

We are now concerned that these dogs may have been without food or water for days. The property is completely locked down, we can hear additional dogs barking inside, and neighbors have not seen a person on the property in days.

And yet, according to the Arizona Humane Society, the case is closed as they have had no issues making contact with the owner.

Thankfully, that is not where this ends.

Through Councilwoman Laura Pastor's office, Phoenix Police are now involved. Our concern has never been about checking a box on the day someone happens to visit the property. It is about whether these dogs have someone capable of humanely providing for them tomorrow, the next day, and every day after that.

We are grateful that our concerns are finally being heard, and we will continue advocating for these dogs until we know they are safe. Stay tuned.

09/02/2026

We cannot thank our rescue partners, HARTT, enough for helping us help the dogs that cross our paths.

Comments such as “just take the dogs” are not as simple as typing the words — we can assure you. These two, and the dozens and dozens of others who never make it onto our social media pages, take an enormous amount of coordination, not to mention the mental toll that comes with trying to figure out where each dog can safely go.

We are so grateful to HARTT for finding Glitter a loving home. And Glitter’s mama, Sparkle, equally adorable, is up for adoption through HARTT!

We may be the ones who cross paths with these dogs, but getting them to the other side takes a village. We simply could not do this work without our rescue partners. Grateful

09/01/2026

Last week was busy! And in between the madness, this happened!

As you know, much of our work is done in trailer parks. A concerned resident reached out to one of our volunteers, whom she had crossed paths with months prior. She kept her number in her back pocket because, as you know, it might come in handy one day!

Well, that day arrived, and we are glad she had it.

This dog was obviously dumped, as he appeared out of the blue and stayed put underneath parked cars.

Once safe, Matt (yes, that is what we named him) was surprisingly in good shape. He ate and drank for us, and he slept! He was exhausted! And as you can see, he cleaned up nicely. And the best part? He has already found a home, and you have a happy ending to start your week.

08/29/2026

UPDATE ON THE TETHERED DOG

This morning, Poverty’s Pets received a phone call from Councilwoman Laura Pastor. Your tags, emails and phone calls make a difference.

Councilwoman Pastor, who worked closely with Poverty’s Pets over the last several years to spearhead the passage of Phoenix’s recently passed anti-tethering ordinance, requested the address where the dog was tethered, along with a timeline of the calls that had been made.

As we shared in our previous post, Poverty’s Pets called Phoenix Police on Wednesday after seeing this dog tethered on a property in 117-degree heat.

Before Councilwoman Pastor contacted us this morning, we had already started our day by calling Phoenix Police for an update. We were told the call had been referred to the Arizona Humane Society and that we needed to contact them.

Our hearts sank. This is not our first BBQ when dealing with the Arizona Humane Society. We immediately contacted AHS and were told, “The case is open.”

“Is the dog still on the chain?” we asked.

“We cannot give you any details.”

We had no confirmation that the dog was safe. We had no information about whether the dog was still tethered. We had no information about what, if anything, had been done. We want to be clear that we cannot say the dog was still tethered because we simply did not know. That lack of information was exactly what concerned us.

Then Councilwoman Pastor called.

After speaking with us and getting the address and timeline, Councilwoman Pastor’s office intervened. The matter, which had been referred to the Arizona Humane Society, was brought back to Phoenix Police for handling.

Councilwoman Pastor’s office later shared the following update: "PD made contact and gave the owner a warning. How ordinance works—first offense is a warning. If Poverty’s Pets goes back out and sees the dog in that condition again then PD can begin citing the owner and seizing the dog.”

The lesson here....make the appropriate calls and report what you see. But also know who your Councilmember is — when the system isn’t working, they can be an important voice, possibily even saving a dogs life.

08/27/2026

This fella has been on our minds all day. There are multiple dogs on this property, all suffering.

We called Phoenix PD yesterday afternoon. While we were on the phone with them, a vehicle pulled up and a gentleman got out, opened the gate, and stepped right over this panting dog—seemingly oblivious to his suffering.

It is in situations like this that education and compassion need to come together. We hope this dog, and the others on the property, get the help they deserve.

We’re not sure how these animals survive this heat and these conditions. Sadly, many do not.

PS: For those asking what you can do: Poverty’s Pets will NOT post or share the address of this property. We never publicly share addresses involving animal welfare cases, for safety and liability reasons.

This property is in Councilwoman Laura Pastor’s district. If you would like to help, please contact her office, reference this post and this tethered dog, and ask for an update. Poverty’s Pets contacted Phoenix Police, and we would like to know what action has been taken.

Councilwoman Laura Pastor — District 4
602-262-7447
[email protected]

Thank you to everyone who has asked how they can help.

08/26/2026

These dates: August 8th. August 12th. August 21st. Three calls to AHS and the Arizona Humane Society has done NOTHING.

On August 8th and August 12th, AHS informed us that the case was “open.”

This morning, when we called AHS, we were asked, “Are the dogs mortal?”

“What do you mean?” we asked.

“Will they die today?”

Shame on the Arizona Humane Society, who claims that when they did visit the property on August 21st — our third call — there was clean drinking water. And they added, “We see things you do not see.”

So much for Jerry’s Law!

AHS did not miss a photo op or the opportunity to put up their donation button while taking ownership of the passage of Jerry's Law.

AHS has done an incredible job of selling the public an image of an organization that will be there for animals in need. But from where we stand, far too much attention appears to go toward PR, fundraising and controlling the narrative, while dogs like these are left behind. Their PR machine raises money and protects the brand — but these dogs don’t need a PR department. They need help.

And make no mistake, if these were all little white fluffies, these dogs would not be living in these deplorable conditions.

The frustration with this property is that the owner physically cannot properly care for these dogs. He is not able to clean the pools or bend over — hence the hose that runs water into the dirt....their main source of water.

We are attempting to get ahold of the owner, as we have volunteers who are anxious to help him. But in the meantime, all we can do is keep calling AHS.

08/24/2026

Not sure how these animals survive in this madness…this heat.

Although this post may look like an easy-peasy rescue, a lot went into helping this little dog. Over several days, we juggled this little dude until our badass rescue partners HARTT could intake him.

And their work has just begun.

This little dude is an older pooch with a mouth full of rotten teeth and a body that has taken its toll. While in our care, he pretty much slept…for days. We treated him for ticks, had him scanned, and reached out to HARTT, who once again made room to help a dog in need.

But the bigger picture here is the enormous pet overpopulation crisis we have in this city. Rescues are full. Shelters are full. Foster homes are full. And every single day, more animals need somewhere to go.

What may look like a simple rescue in a 30-second post often takes days of juggling, networking and finding that one open spot. Thankfully, this little dude got his.

08/23/2026

Without the help of our rescue partner, HARTT, who helped network this sweet boy who clearly deserved better, Junior (now Beau) might still be living on that concrete slab.

Poverty’s Pets brought pools and worked closely with the owners, who no longer wanted Beau. But we had nowhere for Beau to go, and HARTT was busting at the seams.

In stepped Elizabeth Olisky, who could commit to Beau.

It was a game of tic-tac-toe...

Poverty’s Pets secured Beau and delivered him to HARTT, who handed him off to Fur The Paws. They tuned Beau up and found him his happily ever after.

Three rescues, each doing their part to get one deserving dog off a concrete slab and into a home. Tic-tac-toe!

08/21/2026

We continue to follow up on this property. We have concerned neighbors calling us, saying the dogs are not being provided enough water. Furthermore, every time we follow up, there is clearly no water. There are multiple large dogs on this property, all in heat survival mode. THEY NEED WATER.

Poverty’s Pets has treated all of the dogs for ticks and sterilized six, and the owner has recently added two more to his pack.

But here is the fine line that makes this case so difficult. The owner appears physically unable to properly provide for the dogs. He has his share of health problems, and cleaning and filling the pools and the other scattered water bowls is difficult for him.

Earlier this week, we called the Arizona Humane Society to follow up on our initial call. We were told the case was “closed.” When we called again this morning, we were told the case was still “open.” A few of the concerned neighbors have acknowledged that AHS has been at the property, but the situation remains the same.

Our hope is that AHS recognizes that the owner, with all his good intentions, has multiple dogs living outside 24/7 and is simply not physically capable of properly caring for them.

And before you @ us with “just take the dogs”... our reply is: Where to? Poverty’s Pets does not have a shelter, and we follow proper protocol. And before anyone asks us to “post the address,” we do not publicly share the addresses of the properties we visit for liability purposes.

We will continue to follow up and advocate for these dogs. Hopefully AHS can help these sweet dogs who deserve better.

08/20/2026

WHEN DOES REPORTING BECOME FUNDRAISING?

Poverty’s Pets was disappointed to see this recent 12News story about the Arizona Humane Society. Quite frankly, we felt the story came across more as a fundraising tactic for AHS than fact-based reporting.

Throughout the segment, viewers were repeatedly told that AHS is a nonprofit that relies solely on public donations. That characterization is misleading.

Yes, the Arizona Humane Society is a nonprofit and receives significant support from donors. But AHS also has multiple government contracts funded with taxpayer dollars, including a five-year contract with the City of Phoenix worth up to $5 million. AHS’s own audited financial statements acknowledge contracts with multiple Valley municipalities for animal cruelty and investigation services.

That matters.

When a news organization reports on an organization while encouraging the public to understand its financial need, the public deserves the complete picture — particularly when that organization has significant contractual relationships with local government.

Poverty’s Pets has spent the past 15 years working on animal welfare issues in Phoenix, including helping advocate for the city’s recently passed anti-tethering ordinance. Through that work, we have learned firsthand how animal cruelty enforcement operates in our city and how closely the Arizona Humane Society works with the Phoenix Police Department.

There is absolutely a legitimate story to be told about the increasing number of animals entering shelters and rescues throughout our community. But there is another question that deserves serious reporting:

Why are so many animals entering the system in the first place, and are we investing enough in accessible, community-based spay and neuter services to prevent that intake?

That is the conversation we wish this story had explored.

We expect fundraising appeals from nonprofits.

We expect something different from our local news.

Tell the whole story.

We encourage you to watch the report for yourself and draw your own conclusions: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcQg2O6lDW3/?igsh=MXhmMDBlMnBtMGo1OA==
12News 🌵
Tiani Jadulang

Address

PO Box 40112
Phoenix, AZ
85067

Website

http://www.povertyspets.org/

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