Non-profit aids pet owners in need
MARC BUCKHOUT ~ MANAGING EDITOR ~ 7/28/2010

Jan Agardy and Mike Ming both have similar stories. The pair of retired, disabled, seniors are on fixed incomes.
Agardy is largely confined to a scooter while Ming spends most of his time
in a wheel chair.
In dealing with their medical ailments and lean financial status one of the bright spots in their lives is the companionship of their dogs.
For Agardy it’s a pair of Shiba Inus and a Chihuahua. With a food budget of only $200 a month Agardy said she was sacrificing her diet to make sure her animals were being well cared for.
“I was resigned to the idea that this was the way it was going to be,” she said. “I was very concerned that I might have to give up my animals. I don’t know what I would have done, because they are the thing that keeps me going.”
Ming, a retired K-9 police officer, has three German Shepherds.
Despite being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2005, which has deteriorated his ability to walk and use his hands effectively, he never considered giving up his dogs.
“They’re my family,” he said. “Once I take a dog I’m committed to it. I might not eat well, but I will find a way to keep my animals cared for.”
Both seniors were receiving assistance from Meals on Wheels when they heard about the Animal Guardian Network.
The 501C3 non-profit was the brainchild of Cave Creek resident Carrie Singer, the organization’s founder and director.
“My vision is for this to develop into a community resource that everybody knows about,” she said. “I left a corporate career of 10 years to do this because of my love of animals. Nothing I had done prepared me for this, but I’m learning on the job and it has been rewarding.”
With 10 consistent volunteers and other occasional help Singer has done her best to assist animals and pet owners in a variety of manners.
While the group does some rescue work, saving animals from euthanasia lists, the majority of the focus is on helping pet owners keep their animals, even during
tough times.
“We’ve put together homeless outreach programs, getting pet food, collars and leashes to the pets of the homeless,” Singer said. “We’ve also helped people that maybe are going through a tough stretch where they’ve lost a job or something where we can lend a helping hand to bridge a gap, but most of our work is with low-income seniors that are disabled or for whatever reason don’t have the ability to work. We’ll take care of them as long as they need us.”
According to Singer the Animal Guardian Network provides assistance to more than 300 pet families each month, an effort that includes 6,000 pounds of dry food and more than 800 cans of cat food per month.
“It’s a pretty humbling place to be when people have to ask for help, but people that are committed to their animals put their animal’s well-being above their pride. Plus, we make it very easy for the people in need,” she said.
Singer’s organization also helps in getting medical treatment for its clients’ animals.
“With the problems I have with my hands I really can’t do much to groom my dogs,” Ming said. “So every two months they come out and groom my dogs and also clip their nails. It’s very much appreciated the work they do.”
Agardy has also benefitted from the organizations aid.
“I had knee surgery late last year and leading up to it the gentleman from Animal Guardian Network that delivers the dog food to me each month was asking how I was going to take care of the dogs while I recovered,” she said. “I probably wouldn’t have even thought about it until after the fact and then I would have been in trouble. It took me about three to four months to recover. Knee replacement isn’t for sissies. It’s no walk in the park, but they brought in a mobile groomer that cut their nails and bathed the dogs. It was just a huge burden off me that they were able to help in that way.”
Recently a Cave Creek couple came to the aid of the Animal Guardian Network when they donated a barn to the organization. Singer was in the process of finding a buyer for the 1,800 square foot barn looking to put all the proceeds back into the non-profit.
Those interested in helping out can get involved in a number of ways whether it’s making a monetary donation or volunteering time at various fundraising events.
“I’ve been 100 percent positively impacted by Carrie’s organization,” Ming said. “Her organization has kept my dogs alive. I wish I could help her in some way. If I won the lottery a lot of what I won would go to her and the great work her organization is doing.”
In October the group has a fundraiser at Cooperstown in downtown Phoenix and in November they have a dog walk in Carefree. Beyond that they have a monthly Yappy Hour at the Cave Creek location off of 32nd and Carefree Highway.
For information on the Animal Guardian Network call 480-488-9298, go to animalguardiannetwork.org or e-mail carrie@animalguardiannetwork.org.