Arizona Working Paws (AWP) is a small nonprofit rescue with a big heart. Founded by two first responders who share a passion for rescuing dogs, the organization has been helping animals long before officially becoming a 501(c)(3) in 2024. For years, our focus has remained simple: providing second chances for dogs in need and placing them with families who will love them for life.
Arizona Working Paws primarily rescues working breeds and herding breeds because of our deep appreciation for their unique personalities and drive. Our team dedicates time and care to each rescue through hands-on training, learning, and enrichment.
These highly intelligent dogs often have behavioral traits that can be underestimated, requiring experienced homes and sometimes contributing to overcrowded shelter systems. By investing in each dog’s growth and development, AWP provides the strongest foundation for successful, lifelong placement. Still, our passion for animals doesn’t stop there. When a dog is in need, we do what we can to help, regardless of breed.
Even as a small rescue, our impact continues to grow. In 2025, AWP took eight dogs directly into rescue and fostered four additional dogs from a euthanasia list rescued by a partner organization, resulting in twelve successful adoptions. For AWP, each one of those placements represents a life changed and a family made whole.
We are incredibly grateful to the adopters, fosters, donors, and supporters who make every save possible. Community encouragement, supplies, and contributions keep our mission moving forward, and we wouldn’t exist without that support.
As we continue growing, our focus remains on quality over quantity. Our goal isn’t just numbers—it’s lifelong, lasting matches between dogs and their new families who will love them forever. With steady, thoughtful growth and a strong community behind us, we’re proud of the difference we’re making, one dog at a time.
