Lola’s Volunteer Challenge

TEN YEARS AGO, Lola was one of the first dogs the Friends’ founders helped
to find a home. There are not enough adopters in our rural area for all the animals who come to our shelter, and the Friends group discovered there was no real avenue to advertise them, to show which pets were available to adopt. Back then, in 2015, 80% of the animals that came into the shelter were being euthanized.

After meeting Lola and her ‘pack of friends’ at the animal shelter, the soon-to-be Friends Board decided to do something. Lola was just TOO CUTE and TOO SWEET to leave her there at the shelter and not share her with the world. We started sharing the animals’ photos on Facebook and in the local newspaper, and the response was enormous. Adoptions skyrocketed and soon everyone in Holbrook, Joseph City, and our surrounding communities had a ‘rescue dog’ from Holbrook. Soon after, we started networking with regional rescue groups and transporting our shelter’s dogs to places they were more likely to be adopted. Thus began the Friends of the Holbrook Animal Shelter non-profit and our mission to help the homeless animals in Holbrook, Arizona.

Today, we continue our partnership with the City of Holbrook’s animal control and continue to assist with adoptions, enrichment, medical care, rides to rescue, and specialized grant programs for the City’s shelter pets. The Friends group also supports the health & wellness of the pets in our community.

This is where you come in. We always need volunteers! 🐾

Every single day here in our rural corner of Arizona, animals arrive at our shelter needing more than just food and a safe place to sleep—they need people. Compassionate volunteers are the heart of everything we do, and there are many meaningful ways you can help make a difference.

We are currently looking for volunteers to support our animals by transporting pets to rescue partners, helping them safely reach the next step in their journey to a forever home. Others may choose to become foster caregivers, providing a temporary, loving home that helps animals thrive outside the shelter environment.

Volunteers also play a vital role in our shelter each day by cleaning kennels, maintaining safe spaces, and spending quality time playing, walking, photographing, and socializing with our animals. These moments of care and connection reduce stress, build trust, and help our animals become more adoptable.

We also ALWYAS NEED volunteers at our adoption and fundraising events.

No matter how much time you can give—one afternoon a month or several days a week—your support truly saves lives. If you’re ready to make an impact, connect with us today and become part of a community dedicated to compassion, teamwork, and second chances.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or have questions about volunteering, please stop by the shelter or call 928-524-6828. for more information.

🐶 Your time can change a life. Join us today! 🐱