About HALO
Our Mission:
Helping Animals Live On! Through adoption, sterilization & pet care education.
HALO is an acronym that stands for Helping Animals Live On, and it’s is our succinct description of why this organization was formed. It is the reason every one of us at HALO puts two feet on the ground each day. It’s a passion that goes beyond just loving dogs and cats; it’s a driving force in our lives; to make this community, this world, a safe place for homeless pets.
HALO Animal Rescue is a safety net for thousands of homeless dogs and cats each year. We never euthanize an animal to make room for others, and we pride ourselves in providing each of our animals with the nurturing love we give to our own pets at home. Every animal receives all the veterinary care (vaccinations, surgeries, spaying/neutering) they need to set them and their new families up for success.
Our Commitment:
We go beyond just caring for the animals within our shelter—we’re working to create a better welfare system for all the animals in this community and beyond. We partner with and nurture relationships with other animal welfare agencies to create life-saving strategies so we can collectively use our resources to save as many lives as possible. We build from our strengths to provide what you, the public, need and deserve. In return, we ask for your helping hand, by offering temporary sanctuary as a foster parent or with the financial means for us to provide the care they need.
HALO's History:
HALO (Helping Animals Live On) is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1994 by two women, Michel Herstam and Heather Allen, out of their home in Phoenix, AZ!
2006: HALO opened the Thrift Boutique to help raise more funds for homeless pets. Our current Thrift Boutique, opened in July of 2009, is located at 11649 North Cave Creek Road in Phoenix.
2008: HALO transitioned from a completely foster-based organization to one with its first shelter facility on 35th Avenue and Camelback.
2011: HALO expanded into an underutilized building at the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) West facility, and began offering pets for adoption from there as well.
2012: HALO added a PetSmart Charities Everyday Adoption Center at the PetSmart in Deer Valley to its offsite locations. This location provides adoption space for dozens of HALO’s dogs and cats at a time.
2013: HALO moved its headquarters to the MCACC West shelter, expanding our life-saving reach. During this four year partnership, the pets leaving MCACC’s West shelter alive increased from 55% to over 80%! We are so proud to have played a critical role in this success!
2017: HALO’s contract with MCACC ended, and we moved on to our next big adventure—our own place in the heart of North Phoenix! Our 8,600sqft. headquarters allows us to service an area historically underserved in animal welfare. We now have 45 indoor dog runs, 4 indoor play yards, a puppy nursery, a grooming area, and a cat area for 35+ cats at any time. We welcome visitors!
Each year we help find new families for thousands of homeless dogs and cats, Helping Animals Live On, with a second chance at happiness!
An early picture of HALO, still operating out of a home garage!