Pets Return Home is a nonprofit organization providing canine behavior modification, training and convalescence support to municipal shelters, animal rescue organizations, and the Verde Valley community. Our mission: Save lives, enrich welfare and build adoptability of homeless animals, drives our every action. Our behavior team, led by Mark Happe has over 30 years of canine behavior & training development. The training team is led by Thom Milburn, a US Marine Corps veteran who started training, handling dogs and saving lives during the Viet Nam war. Our medical team is led by Mark Happe WFR with Kellie Shamrell DVM as our advising veterinarian. Our kennel & grounds management is led by Nora Laube. Our team has extensive knowledge and hands-on experience working with hundreds of dogs with behavior, training or medical needs. We are located near Clarkdale, AZ on a four-acre ranch bordering national forest, a canyon and the Verde River. Many of the dogs “free-range” on the fenced four-acre parcel. We have a 400 square foot (sq. ft.) medical clinic, six fenced play yards totaling over 4000 sq. ft., a 3000 sq. ft. agility/work yard and a 2100 sq. ft. kennel facility with ten 100 sq. ft. luxury kennels. The location and facility layout enable dogs to socialize, exercise, overcome fears, build confidence & trust and earn adoptable status. We welcome adopters, volunteers and visitors by appointment and are supported primarily through donations.
1. Identify the dog or puppy you are interested in via online, adoption event, or by visiting our facility. 2. Complete an application for the dog you are interested in taking home. 3. Once submitted your application will be reviewed by our Adoption Team 4. Upon approval of your application, a home check is then scheduled 5. After a home check is approved you will come to the facility, complete an adoption agreement and then take your new family companion home. If you have other dogs we will ask you to bring them to the ranch to meet your potential new family member to ensure success at home. We will send you a link to our online scheduling portal for you to make an appointment to come see us. All visits are by appointment only.