MOHAVE COUNTY – Nicole Mangiameli, Mohave County Animal Shelter manager said she is not aware of any dogs or litters of puppies being dumped in the desert as stated by an audience member at the last Mohave County Board of Supervisor’s meeting.
“I asked our new animal control officer, and he said he hasn’t picked any up any dogs in the desert, so no dead dogs or dehydrated in the desert. Not happening,” Mangiameli said. “We don’t have record of any dogs from the desert.”
She stated they have had only had three to five cases of picking up dogs or puppies from the desert in the last 10 to 20 years.
Mohave County Board of Supervisors approved a $30 pet surrender fee March 2, as requested by the shelter.
“We checked around and we were the only ones not charging a fee,” stated Mohave County Administrative Services Director Erin Schrecengost.
“The Board of Supervisors made us check to see what other shelters were charging,” she said.
They discovered that Yavapai County charges $50, High Country Humane in Flagstaff $50, and Humane Society of Yuma charges $90.
“We felt $30 was a modest fee compared to the other shelters,” Schrecengost said.
Mangiameli admitted that the number of strays being picked up have decreased since the charge was imposed, but says it’s not because dogs are being dumped in the desert.
She had charts showing that in April of 2025, animal control picked up 26 new puppies, six months old or younger, and in April of 2026, only 12.
Mangiameli said the shelter is currently filled with 130 dogs and 78 cats, all up for adoption.
Just like children who have been abandoned, these pets want a forever home. Each with their own personalities, just like children, these animals need a little TLC (tender loving care).
Adoptive parents pay only $35 for pets over 30 pounds and $50 for young ones or babies. These fees include having your new pet micro chipped, spayed or neutered, all vaccinations and a license.
Manager Mangiameli said adoption costs are actually $135 for pets over 30 pounds and $150 for puppies. Friends of the Mohave Animal Shelter offers a $100 credit for adult dogs over 30 pounds.
For questions or for more information call the shelter at 928-753-2727 or visit them at 3423 N. Burbank Street.
Correction: A previous version of this story stated that Friends of Mohave County Animal Shelter offers a $100 credit for all dogs. However, they only offer a $100 credit for adult dogs that are over 35 pounds. The article has been corrected.
