The Humane Society of Sedona is preparing to celebrate its Fur-Ever 60th anniversary in 2026, and volunteers Debra and Jeff Duffy, Nancy Karademos and Amanda Norton are seeking help gathering memories and photos from Humane Society’s first 60 years for a commemorative scrapbook.
“We’re just taking a step back in time and rediscovering our roots,” Humane Society of Sedona Volunteer Coordinator Deborah Haynes said. “It’s been fascinating and exciting to see photos from more than 60 years ago and to dive into where our roots really came from. It truly was a grassroots effort — just a small group of people with a passion they didn’t even know they had to help animals in need. Looking back over six decades, it’s incredible to see how much we’ve evolved.”
During their “History Scavenger Hunt,” as described by Haynes, volunteers uncovered many fascinating facts about the Humane Society of Sedona’s past. Over the years, the organization has taken in more than just cats and dogs including, at one point, 2-year-old Snoopy, a lost pet coati, according to a June 7, 1963 report from the Arizona Republic.
“Snoopy was discovered wandering around the countryside by John Mollow, a new Sedona resident,” after its owner Mrs. Jack C. Smith of Ajo who was visiting her father Rev. John W. Owen, the pastor of the Assembly of God Church was shopping in town and was directed to Paw Prints, Sedona’s Humane Society. “Molloy, noting the red collar, realized Snoopy was someone’s pet. He brought the animal to town and, carrying it in his arms, wandered up and down the Main Street hoping that someone would recognize the unusual pet.”
Snoopy evidently was a more picky eater than the shelter staff anticipated, eschewing raw hamburger meat for his typical diet avocados, eggs, chicken pinion nuts and baby cereal.
“What we’re doing is looking for all the information we can find — which is quite a bit, but scattered in little pockets — to learn about the genesis,” Jeff Duffy said. “It actually started back in the 1950s and was run out of someone’s home for quite a while, taking care of cats. There was a movement to raise money to construct a building. They collected green stamps, held ice cream socials and dances, hosted music from both local and visiting performers and organized dance recitals. They also crushed cans, especially when aluminum cans came on the scene — anything to make money. All of the help, of course, was volunteer at the time. Eventually, they raised enough money and received donations of building materials to construct a building at Posse Grounds on about an acre.”
Haynes said the Humane Society of Sedona wasn’t ready to comment on other ways the organization is celebrating its 60th anniversary, but “we will have an exciting big event in Spring of 2026 but we can’t announce it yet,” Haynes wrote.
Debra Duffy added, “Some of the original founders had just moved to Sedona from New York. Because of a dog they picked up at the location we’re trying to identify, they started as a small volunteer group, talking to friends who talked to other friends. The level of volunteerism in Sedona is impressive. Back then, dogs weren’t tagged, rabies shots weren’t always available … yet these folks bootstrapped themselves into a position where they could make a difference. They’re still working hard on that effort today so that’s what we want to help document.”
“It’s important to preserve this history because there will always be people volunteering for causes like this,” Jeff Duffy said. “It’s good to recognize that there’s a long tradition of volunteerism behind the Humane Society that deserves to be remembered and appreciated.”
To share old photos, clippings or stories from the Humane Society of Sedona’s past, email hssmarketing@humanesocietyofsedona.org. Note that hard copies will not be returned. For details, call Director of Philanthropy Brenda Redel at (928) 399-7417.
