Our mission is to stop pet over-population through non-lethal means.   What does that mean? Pet Allies wants to make our community a better place by saving the lives of animals that enter local shelters.  Pet Allies does this by operating a no kill shelter in the City of Show Low and by offering affordable spay and neuter services for dogs and cats at its clinic in Show Low.

Pet Allies began under the name Arizona Animal Wildlife League of the White Mountains, Inc. in the summer of 1996.  The group was originally formed to help the local Humane Society located in Lakeside.  The group met monthly at Pat’s Place Pizza, in central Show Low, had a dinner meeting with a speaker about animal related topics.  It was early days in animal rescue, and pets accepted were very limited due to limited funds, most of which came from yard and bake sales, and adoption fees.  Veterinary fees were a large expense, and the organization saved around 50-75 animals a year. 

In 2003 a dynamic and dedicated group of volunteers ran for office and were elected as a unified board.  The same year the organization changed its name to Pet Allies, Inc. and began an aggressive spay and neuter program.  Grants were obtained, and a thrift store, the Barkin’ Basement Thrift Store, opened and began bringing in regular year-round income.  The organization saved around 150 animals a year, but spayed and neutered close to 1,000 each year.

The passion for spay/neuter as the way to prevent needless deaths of animals at local shelters that were over-whelmed with incoming pets, was a driving force, and in 2007 Pet Allies moved its thrift store to 4050 S. White Mountain Road.  After another year, the tenant in the clinic building relocated and the clinic building was remodeled, with the help of a generous grant, and the clinic began operating.  Costs to spay/neuter the shelter pets  were greatly reduced by managing services at its own clinic rather than payment for outside services for spay/neuter.  The Pet Allies Spay/Neuter clinic, now located at 1321 N 16th Street in Show Low, offers affordable spay/neuter services not only for residents of the City of Show Low, but for residents of all neighboring communities.  The Spay/Neuter clinic currently spays and neuters approximately 2,500 dogs and cats a year.

In October of 2012 Pet Allies began working with the City of Show Low to operate its Animal Control Shelter, located at 1181 E Thornton Road, Show Low.  At that time the city shelter struggled with issues typical of an animal control shelter and the euthanasia rate at the shelter was 90%.  Pet Allies was challenged to begin operating the shelter and save lives.  

In February of 2021 the new Pet Allies shelter was constructed, and the animals, clinic & administrative offices are now all located at 1321 N 16th Street, Show Low, which is owned by Pet Allies.  The  Pet Allies shelter now operates at a 96% save rate, effectively a no kill shelter.  Pet Allies continues to partner with the City of Show Low Animal Control.

Volunteers are key to Pet Allies’ ability to offer the many services and programs to the community.  Although the thrift store closed in 2020 & there was no longer a need for volunteers to staff the store, the shelter and clinic are always in need of volunteers.  Many times volunteers are also needed at community events.