October Pinal Pupdate

Pinal County Animal Care & Control Director Audra Michael has been appointed to Best Friends Animal Society's Network Strategy Council (NSC) for an additional term.

The NSC is a volunteer committee that advises on how to support best the work of animal rescue groups and shelter organizations in the U.S. The council comprises 16 animal welfare leaders from organizations within the Best Friends Network - a consortium of more than 5,500 animal welfare and shelter partners dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in shelters nationwide.

Michael was chosen to be part of the council due to her commitment to innovation, impressive track record in animal sheltering, and dedication to pet lifesaving through no-kill philosophies and best practices. Her first term began in 2025. This reappointment runs through September 2026.

"We've worked so hard at Pinal County Animal Care & Control to bring our shelter from a 23% save rate to achieving no-kill. It is a great honor and privilege to share the lessons of this great feat and help other shelters save more cats and dogs," said Michael. "No-kill happens when we work together, and I'm excited for the opportunity to do just that by serving on the Best Friends Network Strategy Council for another term."

No-kill means saving every dog or cat in a shelter who can be saved. Community safety and a high quality of life for pets are guiding principles of the no-kill philosophy, and they are attainable when animal welfare professionals adhere to best practices and protocols.

Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America's shelters, developed the NSC to provide insights and guide action for Best Friends Network Partners who will accelerate achieving no-kill in every community across the country.