PHOENIX, AZ — Since 1957, the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) in Phoenix has created new programs and life-saving services for the area’s most vulnerable animals. The organization has led the single largest transformation for homeless animals of any community in the U.S. in the past seven years. But as the needs of Arizona’s sick, homeless, and vulnerable animals continued to grow, so did the nonprofit’s need for more resources and new facilities. Ryan Companies is helping the Arizona Humane Society provide new facilities to save thousands of animals’ lives — and the nonprofit organization more than $1 million.

Ryan selects a nonprofit project every few years and credits back all project profits. In 2021, the company picked the Arizona Humane Society as its project focus. This project will improve the environment enjoyed by staff, volunteers, customers, and community members served by AHS. This new campus will also provide educational facilities for veterinarian students to practice and prepare for their future.

The new, two-story, 72,000-square-foot campus and medical complex, known as the Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus, will help AHS establish a more sustainable, long-term system of care for animals. The campus is named after the project’s lead donor organization: the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation.

Services offered at this new campus will include:

• Acute medical and trauma care
• Spay/neuter services
• Rescue and cruelty investigations
• Pet adoptions
• Education programs

An expanded triage area in the trauma hospital will also enable AHS to treat thousands more homeless pet patients than their current location.

From the site plan approval to the designing of the project, Ryan collaborated with AHS nearly every step of the way. Although this is one of Ryan's first project for animals, the company's experience in health care played a major role in ensuring the success of AHS’ new campus.

Ryan's construction team collaborated with architect/interior design firm Animal Arts to bring the campus to life. The new campus will include thoughtfully and intentionally constructed spaces that are conducive to the emotions that often accompany animal-related services, such as: calming “meet and greet” spaces for pet adoption; a specific lobby for welcoming adopters, children, and public tours; a retail store with canine-friendly gear-fitting areas; and a coffee shop.

With the groundbreaking occurring in November 2021, Ryan Companies is on track to complete the project in early Q3 of 2023.