Foothills Animal Rescue (FAR) was organized in February 1995 by Liz Northcott and a small group of volunteers at the urging of local veterinarian, Dr. Cliff Faver, to help solve the problem of unwanted, abandoned, abused, and lost cats and dogs in the Cave Creek, Carefree, New River, North Scottsdale, and the Desert Hills areas. We initially worked out of the homes of volunteers. In September, 1995, our group opened a small gift shop/art gallery and administrative office in Cave Creek and achieved official 501 (c) (3) or non-profit status.

We continue to operate as a no-kill organization, fostering displaced animals in the homes of dedicated volunteers until owners are located or suitable new homes are found. Medical care, spay and neuter surgery, basic immunizations, micro-chipping, and TLC are part of the total care package provided for each companion animal in our care. We also do some basic temperament testing and personality assessment so that potential adopters can be provided with a better total picture of each animal offered for adoption.

Our group sponsors weekly Saturday adoption services at our rescue facility at 37555 N. Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek, and at other locations. Please see the Calendar of Events for details. In addition, volunteers at the shop in Cave Creek will put interested adopters in touch with foster families so that animals can be seen by appointment at any time during the week.

In addition to our adoption services, we also keep a list of people who want specific breeds or types of pets. Often a match can be made very quickly between available cats or dogs and adoptive families. We also provide a lost and found service and urge anyone in the local area who has lost or found an animal to contact the office immediately with a description of the animal. We can provide advice as to steps that might be taken to return the pet to his or her human and we can help with connections to other organizations. We can also provide assistance with wild and exotic animals when needed.

As one might expect, our greatest expense is for veterinary services including the cost of our early spay and neuter program. Our sources of income include adoption fees, fundraisers, and generous donations from our local citizens and the communities we serve.

One of our goals is to educate the pet-owning community to the importance of spaying and neutering all pets. Animal overpopulation has reached crisis proportions and the only way to ensure that animals do not reproduce at random is to spay female pets and neuter male pets. Providing safe, fenced areas for dogs and keeping cats inside rather than allowing them to roam freely are also big concerns for animals in this harsh desert area with our coyote, javelina, hawk, and owl predators. Animals should always be identified with collars and name tags or microchips. Animals should never be left in cars, even for a short time, or in unshaded areas. We also provide Tips for New Residents to this area to the dangers of Colorado River toads, rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widow spiders.

The group happily welcomes anyone who would like to volunteer to help the animals. Currently, we are desperately in need of foster homes for dogs and cats. Other volunteer needs include people to work in the shop and answer phones, fundraisers, and animal handlers for Saturday adoptions.

To volunteer your time and talents, please contact the FAR volunteers by sending an e-mail to far@extremezone.com or by calling 480.488.9890. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 4865
Cave Creek, AZ   85327.