Running from June 17 through July 5 the Humane Society of Southern Arizona rolls out a new support program that provides adopters of dogs weighing 40 pounds and more with no adoption fee along with 600 dollars worth of supplies and services.

Following the decision not to schedule Senate Bill 1582 for a hearing in the Arizona Senate despite solid bipartisan backing the Humane Society of Southern Arizona launches one of the most extensive big dog adoption support efforts in the country.

The revised version of SB 1582 sought to stop homeowners associations from imposing restrictions on dogs according to size weight or breed. The measure cleared the House by a 52 to 2 margin yet it did not receive a committee hearing before the session ended. HSSA which backed the legislation is now working to lower financial obstacles so more families can welcome larger dogs.

Between June 17 and July 5 anyone who adopts a dog over 40 pounds from HSSA will face no adoption fee and will receive 600 dollars in supplies and services. These include a free leash collar or harness identification tag and toy a free set of core vaccines a free professional behavioral training session a free spay or neuter surgery that can apply to another dog in the household and three bags of dog food.

The simplest way to describe this program said Dr. Kristin Barney who became CEO of HSSA in 2024 is that we examined every expense involved in bringing a large dog home and found ways to cover those costs for our adopters.

Data from Hill's Pet Nutrition showed that large dogs made up just 26 percent of the 2.8 million dogs entering shelters across the United States in 2025 yet they experienced the longest average stays and the lowest adoption rates. This challenge shows up clearly in southern Arizona where 88 percent of the dogs in HSSA care weigh more than 40 pounds.

The difficulty in placing these dogs in loving homes has little to do with the animals themselves said Dr. Barney. Beyond financial hurdles HOA rules in Arizona sometimes cap dog weight at 30 pounds roughly the size of a corgi. An outstanding dog can remain in a kennel for months because of such a policy.

Although SB 1582 did not pass into law this session said Briana Romero of Humane World for Animals who supported the bill we continue working toward solutions that help keep pets with their families. At the same time I am thankful that the Humane Society of Southern Arizona has stepped forward to assist families the legislation has not yet reached by easing financial burdens and improving the chances for these dogs to find homes.

Jessica Gutmann Senior Strategist for the Mountain West Region at Best Friends Animal Society noted that Best Friends Animal Society recognizes the outstanding commitment of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona to animal welfare especially in securing homes for big dogs. While officials address barriers through policy HSSA tackles them directly. This strong community program for big dogs will help save more lives of Arizona dogs.

The initiative received support from generous donors to HSSA.

About the Humane Society of Southern Arizona Founded in 1944 the Humane Society of Southern Arizona serves as the oldest and largest animal welfare nonprofit in southern Arizona. Its mission centers on compassionately serving pets and the people who care for them. More details are available at hssaz.org/big-deal or at 635 W. Roger Road in Tucson.

Media Contact available by phone at (520) 327-6088 extension 146.

SOURCE Humane Society of Southern Arizona