Do you go to this place?

Sniffing for more?

» See all Phoenix listings
» See all AZ listings

“Sheriff Joe Arpaio's no-kill shelter, MASH, was created to house and care for animals that have been abused or neglected by their caretakers, and that have been rescued by the Animal Cruelty Investigative Unit. The purpose of the shelter is to provide for these tragic animals, who must necessarily await the outcome of their owners' cruelty cases in court. Hopefully, their ultimate outcome will be adoption into loving, permanent homes. The MASH unit also houses the small pets of individuals who check into domestic violence shelters that do not accept pets. This is a no-cost service that can be provided for up to 60 days. The animals must have current shot records. Any medical costs expended while the pets are in MCSO care will be the responsibility of the owner. The first shelter opened by Sheriff Arpaio is in the First Avenue Jail, located at First Avenue and Madison Street, Phoenix, AZ. This 30-year-old jail previously held inmates, but was closed for repairs to plumbing in 1999. Though it is no longer suitable for housing inmates, the jail is like paradise to the four-footed victims now housed and recovering there. Detention officer staff and sentenced female inmates care for the animals. The shelter is air-conditioned and the cells have been reconditioned to comfortably house animals. Some critics have said that it's inhumane to put dogs and cats in air-conditioned quarters when inmates don't have air conditioning. A good answer came from one of the inmates assigned to care for the dogs. When asked if she was resentful about not having air conditioning, she gestured to some of the dogs and said, "They didn't do anything wrong. I did."”