Pet rescue groups across the Valley are coming together with a three-year initiative to solve the problem of pet homelessness by fixing, adopting and saving Valley pets.

A playful, elegantly made little horror film, “Mama” teasingly sustains a game of hide-and-seek as it tantalizes the audience with fleeting apparitions of the title character while maintaining interest in two deeply disturbed little orphan girls. Being sold primarily on the name of its godfather, Guillermo del Toro, this Canadian-Spanish co-production from Universal is refreshingly mindful of the less-is-more horror guidelines employed by 1940s master Val Lewton, not to mention Japanese ghost stories, but the PG-13 rating might prove too restrictive for the gory tastes of male core genre fans. Still, less bloodthirsty female teens could make up the difference at the box office, as the film provokes enough tension and gasps to keep susceptible viewers grabbing their armrests or the arms of those next to them.

Wild boar — a tasty way to do a good deed.

Princess and her brother Barry came from a feral family, but were socialized by their foster mom and are now very friendly, snuggly and love to be rubbed and brushed. They love to sit on your lap and would be perfect for someone who wants a cat to be very attentive. They have been around other cats and would love to be adopted together. Can you give them a chance at a new life?

Yeagermin’s story is bittersweet. About 9 years ago she was rescued as a 2-week-old bottle feeder, then given proper care until she was old enough to be spayed. She got adopted and we thought lived happily ever after.

If you get the impression Arizona can sometimes seem a little wacky to the rest of the nation, take heart, at least, that attention-getting shenanigans are nothing new for the Grand Canyon State.

Lollipop is an adult, female, Tortishell cat. She was rescued as a stray. She turned up at a feral cat feeding station and it was observed by shelter volunteers that this kitty did not belong on the streets.

Lollipop is an adult, female, Tortishell cat. She was rescued as a stray. She turned up at a feral cat feeding station and it was observed by shelter volunteers that this kitty did not belong on the streets.

The goal of Empty Bowl Pet Food Pantry is simple — keep pets in their homes.

In 1912 “Tarzan of the Apes,” by Edgar Rice Burroughs, was first published in “All Story Magazine” — spawning two-dozen sequels, along with multiple film and comic book adaptations. Now 100 years later, the jungle man himself swings to the stage in “Tarzan,” a musical adaptation of the popular Disney film. After ending a nearly 500-performance run on Broadway in 2007, a revamped and innovative new production hits the Arizona Broadway Theatre beginning today.

Ellie’s story begins at the bottom of a drainage pipe. She was trapped for a week until a kind Tempe police officer rescued her and brought her to the Tempe PetSmart cat center. She was dirty, undernourished, and her eye was damaged beyond repair. With lots of love and great medical care, she is now a very happy girl. She loves humans, however, is challenged by other cats and dogs in a house. One of Ellie’s best qualities is that she is extremely affectionate. She is always happy to see you and greet you with a welcome rub and special “Brrrup” sound. She also loves to snuggle at bedtime by curling up against your leg or crawling under the covers with you. In addition to being affectionate, she is a very playful cat. Her curiosity is endless and everything is a potential toy!

Four local cats took the ride of their life when they hopped on a single-engine plane and were transported to a cat’s paradise in California.

Angel has been in foster care since her mom lost her job and home and had to move in with family who weren’t allowed to have pets.

Before Chloe’s rescue she was living on a golf course in Ahwatukee Foothills, dodging coyotes, dogs and golf balls. This beautiful girl is affectionate, chatty and lovable. She loves to sit up in a cat tree and watch the world go by. She is looking for a forever home to keep her safe. Chloe is spayed, tested negative for FELV/FIV, current on all her shots and is microchipped.

Ollie is a 2-year-old boy with tons of love to offer. He enjoys cuddling, sleeping with his foster parents, and play time. Ollie can be a little reserved at first, but is gaining courage and learning to trust new people. He loves to be brushed and enjoys chasing a laser light and sitting on his kitty condo to watch the birds outside. He is good with other cats, but has not yet been introduced to dogs and kids.

Los Angeles • Cat owners have done a good job spaying and neutering their pets. The big issue now when it comes to felines is population control of feral cats, and that's led to a movement by animal welfare groups to trap colonies of these wild cats for sterilization.

Just look at Puma's eyes and that is exactly what you get from this boy. He is a beautiful, spotted 9-month-old tabby who loves to receive belly rubs and hugs. Puma has a short curly tail with a slight kink at the end, making him particularly unusual and handsome. He is an extremely lovable and sweet cat who gets along with dogs, cats and children.

Feral cats are friends, not pests.

Feral cats are friends, not pests.

Every spring thousands of homeless kittens come into animal shelters in Maricopa County. Most do not get out alive. Before temperatures rise and cats go into heat, the Spay Neuter Hotline is asking people to get companion cats fixed, and also take advantage of Animal Defense League of Arizona's Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program to sterilize stray and free-roaming cats in Valley neighborhoods. Few cats are in heat in January, but the number begins to increase in February. By April and May shelters are inundated with kittens.

Every spring thousands of homeless kittens come into animal shelters in Maricopa County. Most do not get out alive. Before temperatures rise and cats go into heat, the Spay Neuter Hotline is asking people to stop procrastinating. Get companion cats fixed, and also take advantage of Animal Defense League of Arizona's Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program to sterilize stray and free-roaming cats in Valley neighborhoods. Few cats are in heat in January, but the number begins to increase in February. By April and May shelters are inundated with kittens.

Every spring thousands of homeless kittens come into animal shelters in Maricopa County. Most do not get out alive. Before temperatures rise and cats go into heat, the Spay Neuter Hotline is asking people to stop procrastinating. Get companion cats fixed, and also take advantage of Animal Defense League of Arizona's Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program to sterilize stray and free-roaming cats in Valley neighborhoods. Few cats are in heat in January, but the number begins to increase in February. By April and May shelters are inundated with kittens.

Pet overpopulation is reaching epidemic proportions in America. Everyday thousands of hungry, homeless dogs and cats roam our streets and neighborhoods looking for food and shelter. Thankfully, this is an epidemic with an effective, humane solution.

Pet overpopulation is reaching epidemic proportions in America. Everyday thousands of hungry, homeless dogs and cats roam our streets and neighborhoods looking for food and shelter. Thankfully, this is an epidemic with an effective, humane solution.