While our ultimate goal is to have an expansive sanctuary where we will accommodate thousands of animals, right now this mission is much more simple. We are a grass-roots / boots-on-the-ground army, supporting PACC and other shelters throughout Arizona through our "Intervention Program". This is also the program where you can adopt a dog through our organization. (SEE INTERVENTION SECTION BELOW) However, this doesn't mean we don't have a sanctuary at all. In fact, we have designed a sanctuary we believe should be in every city across the world. This is called our "Volunteer Sanctuary Pool". This is a network of volunteers who have volunteered their homes to facilitate as many animals in need that they can legally and fiscally. Together, this will one day equate to a sanctuary large enough to capture all animals in need and remove the crisis our local shelters have found themselves in. If you would like to be a Volunteer Sanctuary Owner, please reach out to us at pauseforpawssanctuary@gmail.com.
Once a dog has gone through our Intervention Program, if they were unable to be adopted out, they are then placed in a home within our Volunteer Sanctuary Pool. By sponsoring them, you are helping those volunteers to feed, house and medicate them. Sponsor a life and be a hero. Sponsorships available below.
Hi there! My name’s Scruffy, and I’m a two-year-old terrier with a heart full of love. I might be a little cautious around some men; life’s thrown me a few curveballs, but I’m getting braver every day. What really lights me up? Playing tag with my little sister and being around kids who know how to giggle and run and snuggle. I was found wandering on the road and brought to safety here at Pause for Paws. It's the first time I’ve truly had a soft bed, full belly, and people who care. If you sponsor me, you're helping build trust; trust in humans, trust in safety, and trust that love sticks around this time.
Hello. My name is Brandy. I was left behind at a house that could not keep me. It was a good house but I'm a big dog and they did not have the space. I tried sleeping outside where I had plenty of room to stretch, but I soon found out that I'm terrified of the dark. My caretakers spring into action and found Pause for Paws where I was placed with a volunteer who offered me a bigger home with my own big fluffy bed. If you sponsor me, that would make me feel better, because my volunteer human is a hero and I would love for them to have the assistance they need to care for me. Right now, my sponsorship is directly through Pause For Paws until my Paylink is set up. You can reach them at pauseforpawssanctuary@gmail.com
Hey hey hey! I’m Piper, your favorite wiggle-butt husky mix! I'm six months old and was found hanging out (and let’s be honest, probably causing a little mischief) in the Walmart parking lot off I-10 and Cortaro in Tucson Arizona. But now I’ve got toys, friends, and a whole yard to play in; life is awesome! I'm super friendly and trust everyone I meet, no questions asked. Sponsoring me means giving this growing girl the care, enrichment, and vet visits I need to stay healthy and joyful. Let’s grow up together, yeah?
Hi there! My name's Bowie, but my human calls me BoBo. I like Bobo better. I think when they call me Bobo, their ready to take me for a walk. I'm a little particular. My human says I might be OCD. I don't know how to spell, so I'm not sure what that means. Anyway, I like to keep a schedule. I have to admit, when I'm off schedule, I can get a little cranky. Please sponsor me. I think that would help my human help me. Right now, until my Paylink is set up, you can sponsor me directly by emailing pauseforpawssanctuary@gmail.com.
Hi… I’m Freeda. I’m still learning how to feel safe and loved. I’m a corgi/lab mix, and for a long time, I didn’t trust anyone. But things are starting to change here at Pause for Paws. Eric and Trent are patient with me, and every day I let them a little bit closer. I was rescued from the urgent placement list at PACC, where I stayed for months and bounced between fosters. I came here pregnant, but my puppies were already gone. It’s been hard, but this sanctuary is now my forever home where I’m getting 24/7 love and healing. If you sponsor me, you’re helping with trauma recovery, the quiet, slow kind that takes time, patience, and kindness. I really think I’m worth it.
Yo. Name's Buster. Got a problem with that? I'm old, set in my ways, and will be needing to sleep right next to your face. My human found me at a gas station wandering around in the heat. But that's ok, I get this long coat shaved all the time now so I get to stay cool. It's frickin' awesome! Anyway, you should probably help my human by sponsoring me. I'm not sure how he puts up with it all. But he loves me nonetheless. My Paylink is not up yet. Email instead, ok? pauseforpawssanctuary@gmail.com
Hi, I’m Joey! I’m an 8-month-old Yorkie mix with a BIG heart in a tiny body. An anonymous angel gave me shelter before reaching out to Pause for Paws to help me live my best life. I’m safe now, and wow, I’m thriving! I’m super affectionate, and I’ve grown especially close to Clover, my favorite person here. We cuddle, we play, and I feel like someone really sees me. If you sponsor me, you’ll be supporting a little dude with big dreams: consistent care, nutritious food, and the kind of attention that helps tiny tails wag with full-body joy.
Hi, I’m Reba, A year ago, I thought I had a forever home… but one day, my owner left and never came back. I ended up all alone in a house that wasn’t even theirs—it belonged to a kind couple, Vanessa and Joseph who found me left there. They weren’t able to keep me, but they gave me something just as important: love, warmth, and a promise to find help. That’s how I found my way to Pause for Paws.
Now I’m safe, learning to trust again and rediscovering how fun life can be! I’m super friendly and playful—just a little shy around the big dogs, but I’m working on it (Clover, one of the amazing humans here, has been helping me feel brave).
Sponsoring me means I’ll always have all I need; food, vet care, snuggly blankets, and the comfort of knowing someone like you believes in my future. Will you be part of my story?
With love, Reba
P.S. Thank you Vanessa & Joseph for sending me to Pause For Paws with $50.00. Your donation helped get me started here. I'm having so much fun! You guys are heroes!
Hi, I’m Dolly, Like my sister Reba, a year ago, I too thought I had a forever home. Vanessa and Joseph found me left in there home as well. They weren’t able to keep me, but they gave me something just as important: love, warmth, and a promise to find help. That’s how I found my way to Pause for Paws.
Now I’m safe, learning to trust again, and rediscovering how fun life can be! I’m super friendly once I get to know you but I'm also very shy. For now anyway.
Sponsoring me means I’ll always have all I need; food, vet care, snuggly blankets, and the comfort of knowing someone like you believes in my future. Will you be part of my story?
With love, Dolly
P.S. Thank you Vanessa & Joseph for sending me to Pause For Paws with $50.00. Your donation helped get me started here. I'm having so much fun! You guys are heroes!
Sometimes, good people fall on hard times. Whether due to housing restrictions, financial hardship, or other life events, members of our community may temporarily shelter pets they cannot legally or sustainably keep. These selfless individuals give us a short-term window to rehome the animal(s).
If you are interested in taking advantage of our free intervention program to re-home your dog, then please see the Surrender/Intervention application at the bottom of this page and complete Section III.
While Pause for Paws does offer limited adoption opportunities, it’s important to understand that our primary mission is not adoption. Because every adoption from us could inadvertently delay or prevent a life-saving adoption from PACCS’ urgent placement or euthanasia list. These animals face immediate risk, and they need the spotlight most.
Having said this, the dogs found in this section are ones we need help rehoming in order to prevent them from going to PACC. Take a look below and see if there is a dog that would fit for you. You can also become a Volunteer Sanctuary and once adopting, we can try to get your dog sponsored. Email us at pauseforpawssanctuary@gmail.com
Pitsky (Pitbull-Husky)
4 Years Old
Male - Neutered
Vaccinated - Chipped
Friendly
Current family is unable to house. Very playful but can get resource protective at times. Would be good as an "Only-Dog".
Has all papers & Adoption Ready
$35.00 Re-Homing Fee
email: pauseforpawssanctuary@gmail.com
***Are you a client of Dogs of Tucson? Then your re-homing fee is waived.
Pit Healer (Pit Healer Mix)
6 Months Old
Female - Spayed
Vaccinated - Chipped
Friendly
Current owner was moving out of state and could not take her with. She is very friendly and playful. Gets along with everyone, dogs included. Needs allot of attention. Needs to have room to play.
Has all papers & Adoption Ready
$35.00 Re-Homing Fee
email: paus
Pit Healer (Pit Healer Mix)
6 Months Old
Female - Spayed
Vaccinated - Chipped
Friendly
Current owner was moving out of state and could not take her with. She is very friendly and playful. Gets along with everyone, dogs included. Needs allot of attention. Needs to have room to play.
Has all papers & Adoption Ready
$35.00 Re-Homing Fee
email: pauseforpawssanctuary@gmail.com
***Are you a client of Dogs of Tucson? Then your re-homing fee is waived.
Currently on our lost and found section, these two dogs will come together as a pair and may not be separated. More information to come.
Make a Difference Today & Save a Life
Right now, countless dogs at Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) are waiting and hoping for a second chance. Some are running out of time, placed on the Urgent Placement List, their futures uncertain unless someone steps in.
That someone could be you.
Every rescue story begins with a single choice; to see the need and to act. Click the button below to view PACC’s Urgent Placement List and find a pet in need. Whether adoption, fostering, or even sharing their story, you can be the reason a dog gets a tomorrow.
Locate the Surrender-Intervention Application below and read all of section I. Then, depending on your situation, if you are needing to re home a dog immediately, complete section II. If you are caring for a dog that you are not able to afford, legally have, or simply don't have the time and space to care for, but are willing to care for them for a period of time while allowing us to put in an effort to re home them for you, then complete section III. Simply print, fill out, scan or photograph and re upload back to your device, and e-mail us the completed and appropriate form. Then, keep the printed version for your records. (If you don't have a printer, just email us and we can go from there.) Email us at pauseforpawssanctuary@gmail.com
While we would love to save every animal, our Volunteer Sanctuary Pool is still growing. So, please allow time for an intake to take place. Our mission is to expand into a larger sanctuary, where we can help every animal in need immediately. Please consider donating or sharing our mission with someone who can so that we can grow and save more lives. In the meantime, we encourage all intake inquiries to take advantage of our FREE Intervention Program where we help residents in our communities re-home animals they themselves cannot house. (See more details above). However, if you are still interested in surrendering your animal immediately, then complete Section II of the form below. Thank you for your understanding and your help to forward our mission to save animals in need.
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