Mission

The Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL), located in Phoenix, is Arizona’s oldest and largest no-kill animal shelter, with a proud legacy spanning over 50 years. Founded in 1971 by television icon Amanda Blake, best known as "Miss Kitty" on the television program Gunsmoke, and a group of passionate animal advocates, AAWL has grown from a small volunteer-driven foster network into a comprehensive animal welfare organization and community partner. AAWL is a limited-intake shelter—meaning we only take in as many pets as we have space and resources to care for well. Our facility houses approximately 140 cats and 190 dogs at any given time, supported by a network of roughly 90 foster families who provide temporary homes for animals needing extra care. By managing our intake carefully, every pet gets the time, attention, medical care, and support they need to find their family. Today, we care for more than 4,000 dogs and cats each year, serving our local community and partnering with shelters in Arizona’s rural areas, where distance from veterinary services and other resources can create barriers to pet care. Over the years, we've grown into a community-centered organization focused on supporting both pets and the people who love them, here in Phoenix and across Arizona.