Pet Guardian Angel (PGA), formerly known as Animal Alliance, was founded in the early 1980's. Ever since inception, PGA has worked to not only rescue and adopt out animals, but also to improve the welfare of animals in the city.

   In the early 1980’s, the preferred method of execution of dogs and cats at the Animal Services Shelter was the so-called "Volkswagen Engine" method. Under this method, cats and dogs would be thrown together into a large tank and exposed to scorching fumes from car exhausts until their lungs were burned out and the animals ripped each other apart trying to escape the pain. It was Pet Guardian Angel who initiated the push to change this inhumane method of killing these poor creatures. PGA was met with stiff resistance from Animal Services during this effort, and this was compounded by the fact that PGA's efforts were denied any publicity by the local media at that time. Ultimately though, PGA succeeded in bringing about a change in the methods at Animal Services; now they euthanize their animals by a much more humane method of injection.

   PGA also was influential in some of the policy changes that occurred at Animal Services. Prior to PGA intervention, it was the policy at Animal Services that ALL animals entering the facility would be euthanized unless claimed by an owner. This, of course, resulted in the deaths of many good animals who were not even given a chance at adoption. PGA's efforts changed this policy so that now, dogs and cats can be adopted to the public from Animal Services.

   Several animal rescue organizations, including PGA, have worked in coordination with Animal Services to facilitate these adoptions. There remain difficulties, however; the primary one being the continual lack of finances at the various animal rescue organizations that prevent them from being able to take in more animals from Animal Services than they are currently able.

   Another area in which improvement can be made is that, even though PGA and other animal rescue organizations have received more media coverage in the recent years, there still needs to be more public awareness of the plight and treatment that these animals are exposed to. There also remain disagreements between PGA and Animal Control over some of Animal Services' current policies. As an example, stray animals that are brought to Animal Services are kept for a few days to await a possible claim by an owner, and during this time, may possibly be adopted by an individual from the public. However, owner-released pets are euthanized almost immediately, because there is no one to claim them, and as a result, they are not given any chance at adoption, even though these animals are the ones more likely to be adaptable into a new home.

   PGA is still saddened by the extraordinarily large number of animals that are killed at Animal Services every day. PGA hopes that one day, El Paso will become a true "No-Kill" city.

   Pet Guardian Angel not only adopts out dogs from their organization; it continually strives to influence changes in policies and laws in the local area that would improve the condition and treatment of the animals here.

PGA adopts out almost 100% of the dogs taken into its facility, with the only exception being those who are extremely sick or aggressive.