Payson community voicesPayson, Arizona

Support a dedicated Animal Control Officer.

Ask Payson town leaders to fund the position. Open the prepared email, make it your own, and send it.

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Illustration of two dogs and a cat overlooking Arizona’s forested Rim Country.

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Support a Payson Animal Control Officer

Hi Darren,

I am asking the Town of Payson to fund and hire a full-time Animal Control Officer and establish interim coverage now.

The Humane Society of Central Arizona reports 766 stray admissions from within Payson in 2025, up from 520 in 2024: 246 more, a 47.3% increase. This excludes animals reunited with owners without entering the shelter.

The shelter reports overcrowding, staff burnout, and four animal deaths in 2026 that it attributes to neglect or abuse. These reports warrant review and follow-up.

In the high-school incident, shelter staff, a community member and a police officer spent about 3.5 hours capturing eight of 11 loose dogs. The shelter reported aggressive behavior. Staff and residents should not have to fill this gap through late-night rescues.

Thank you.