Who are we?

Arizona Schnauzer Rescue, Inc. is the American Kennel Club (AKC) rescue service for Miniature Schnauzers in the State of Arizona.  We report to American Miniature Schnauzer Club and to the local breed specialty organization:  Cactus State Miniature Schnauzer Club.  Our rescue program is entirely volunteer.  We extend our services to New Mexico & Nevada because there are currently no schnauzer rescue programs available in either state.

We have recently incorporated as a non profit animal welfare charity and as such "donations" are tax deductible.  However, the Internal Revenue Service sees our adoption fee as "provider service income" and therefore it is not tax deductible.  Any money you choose to donate over & above the adoption fee, however, is completely tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

PLEASE NOTE:  This site is growing every day, and we will be updating our list of rescued Schnauzers during continuously.  In the mean time, please feel free to fill out our Owner Profile information and send in an adoption request, because chances are, in our busy schedules, the right Schnauzer is waiting for you, even if it isn't on our website yet!

More about adoption through AZ Schnauzer Rescue, Inc....

We receive Schnauzers from various sources.  About 70% of the dogs are received from their previous owner who for some reason or another couldn't keep the dog.  We gather as much information as we can about the background of the dog when this is the case.  Sometimes, however, we know very little about the dog's background, especially if the dog is a stray or from a shelter.

When we receive a dog, we make sure it is current on all the shots, and that it is spayed or neutered.  We also take care of any medical problems the dog might have.

We are not a breeder, but we do train our own dog in obedience.  We work on "socializing" the dog, making sure it is housebroken, and we work on any behavioral problems we see, such as excessive barking.  When we feel the dog is ready for adoption,-which basically means that WE would be willing to adopt it,-then we go to the waiting list to find the best fit.  We usually have a dog for at least a month before it is ready for adoption.  (We do not have an outside facility.)

We try to be fair and contact people as they got on the "waiting list."   We do make an exception in the following cases (1) If we have a very young dog, we generally will try to place that dog with a younger family or couple; (2)  If we have a dog that was raised with cats and adores cats, we will consider placing the dog where there is a cat; (3)  If someone is willing to adopt an older, hard to place dog, there is generally no wait for a fine senior citizen dog that deserves a loving home, (4) if someone fosters a dog for us, when that dog is ready to be adopted, the foster family has first choice to adopt the dog;  (5)  we favor people who will do obedience classes or agility training with the dog; And (6) once someone adopts from us, if they want another dog (replacement or additional), they go to the top of the waiting list. 

Once you are on our waiting list and we have a dog ready, we will call you and tell you everything we know about the dog -- both good and bad -- things we have fixed, etc.  At that point, if you feel the dog is not a good fit, that's fine. We will not take you off the list.  If you come to look at one of our dogs and decide not to take it, that is also okay, and we will not remove you from the list. 

 If you decide to adopt a dog from the Arizona Schnauzer Rescue there is a $150 adoption fee.   The fee is the same or each dog.  For a "senior citizen" dog - over 10 years old - the adoption fee is $100.00.  You are not "buying" the dog, you are helping with the rescue expenses.  In 2003, we had almost $10,000 of out-of-pocket expenses. This is not a money making endeavor. We spend an average of $300 per dog over the year.   Regardless of this, the adoption fee will remain the same.  Donations, of course, are greatly appreciated, and once again tax deductible above the standard adoption fee.