For the 2021 Diane & Bob Hoover Annual Innovation Award, we asked animal welfare organizations to apply if they had demonstrated innovation in their community in times of crises or amidst natural disasters.

Pethealth Inc. is pleased to announce the 2021 recipient of the award is Arizona Humane Society! The team at Arizona Humane was faced with several complex challenges both in and outside their shelter caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. They were able to adjust their pre-existing vehicle donation program to target donors in the community wishing to sell a vehicle, significantly increase the program's annual revenue, and become the first non-profit in Arizona with a licensed and insured used car dealership. The organization will receive $15,000 for their innovative used car donation program.

Pethealth Inc. also awarded the second-place prize to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control. The judging panel was especially impressed with their use of self-serve kiosks to allow potential adopters to see the pets available for adoption and to have as much information as possible about those pets, all in a contact-free environment.

The winners were announced during the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement’s virtual Fall Conference on December 8, 2021.