On Thursday, May 29th, Zzeeks Pizza, owned by Jody and Mark Pectol, brought together the Ahwatukee and Ocotillo communities for a heartwarming cause. Their Pizza for Pups fundraiser raised an incredible $3,000 to benefit Alone No More Dog Rescue, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing homeless dogs facing euthanasia in overcrowded shelters.
The event was a true team effort. 20% of all sales from both Zzeeks locations were donated to the rescue, with 24 local businesses contributing services, raffle prizes, and donations. “We couldn’t have done it without our local businesses,” Jody shared. “They deserve a huge thank you for making this fundraiser a success!”
Despite it being a busy day with local graduations, the community showed up—many with their families and pups—to enjoy pizza and support the cause. Local dog-focused businesses like The Frontline Coalition’s Malinda Hall Malone and Bark & Luv’s Megan Ames were there, showing just how strong the local support for animal rescue truly is. Even local TikTok influencers Chris and Dessy (@the_gypsy_harts) stopped by to order pizza for their three dogs and help spread the word.
A special highlight was Smores, the featured star of the fundraiser. Smores is a Terrier, American Pit Bull/Retriever mix, nearly three years old, weighing about 65 pounds. He’s potty trained, knows basic commands, walks beautifully on a leash, and is both affectionate and independent. As the longest resident at Alone No More Dog Rescue, he’s still searching for his forever home. If Smores sounds like your perfect companion, visit https://www.anmdogrescue.org/ to learn more.
Smores Photo Credit, Alone No More Website.
We caught up with Casi Johnson, the newly appointed Fundraising Coordinator at Alone No More Dog Rescue, to learn more about their mission and the impact of this event:
Q: Could you give a quick introduction of yourself and your organization?
My name is Casi Johnson, and I’m the newly appointed Fundraising Coordinator at Alone No More Dog Rescue here in the Phoenix Valley. We partner with Heidi’s Village, a beautiful state-of-the-art boarding and veterinary clinic that provides safe, clean, and engaging housing for our dogs (complete with its own splash pad for the pups!).
Alone No More Dog Rescue is committed to saving as many dogs as we can and successfully placing them in appropriate forever homes. We work with all breeds and backgrounds, with a special affinity for behavioral dogs who are often e-listed faster than most. Many dogs deemed “unadoptable” in shelters turn out to be wonderful pets with the right care and support from our rescue. We provide these animals with the safety and security they deserve to thrive in their forever homes.
Q: How has this fundraiser impacted your organization?
Experiencing the residents of Ahwatukee come together with members of the animal rescue community from all over the Valley has been so inspiring. Everyone came out with a united goal to raise funds for these pups, and we did it! Alone No More is excited to have branched out into new territory to raise awareness of the incredible life-saving efforts we strive for every day.
Q: If someone is interested in adopting, how can they go about it?
Adopting is easy! Click the “Adopt” button on the front page of our website, and it’ll take you directly to all our adoptable dogs (updated daily). Fill out an application, and someone will contact you to set up a Meet and Greet with any of our wonderful pups. We also offer a “Foster to Adopt” program where you can bring your potential new dog home to see if it’s the perfect fit for your family!
Q: Are you currently looking for volunteers, and is there anything coming up this summer you’d like to share?
Yes! We are always looking for new volunteers. Being 100% volunteer-run, the more help we have, the more dogs we can save! We have exciting new events ahead, including our monthly “Paddle for Pups” day on the river and our upcoming “Pickle for Pups” pickleball tournament. We’re also ramping up for a big sponsorship program, with corporate and individual/family sponsorships coming soon!
Jody Pectol summed it up best: “It’s heartbreaking to see so many dogs abandoned, lost, and confused in our communities. But seeing everyone come together to make a difference—whether in person or by phone—was truly amazing. We’re so grateful to our community and the small businesses who made this happen.”
Supervisor of Zzeeks Ahwatukee, Boston Pectol, added his heartfelt thanks: “Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us. Your generosity made a real impact.”
Let’s keep helping dogs like Smores find their forever homes. Together, we can make a difference—one slice and one pup at a time. 🐾🍕
Written by Ahwatukee411 Media, Diana Lopez
