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In 2008, the following capital outlay funds are being sought to improve conditions at the state’s animal shelters:
Albuquerque high-volume spay-neuter facility: $350,000
Bernalillo County high-volume spay-neuter facility: $350,000
Doña Ana County animal shelter (protective custody for animals seized in large-scale cruelty cases and animal fighting busts): $500,000
East mountain regional animal shelter: $500,000
Farmington/San Juan County animal shelter: $350,000
Las Cruces animal shelter: $500,000
Tucumcari animal shelter: $350,000
The Problem:
 Humane animal services are a necessary part of every community in New Mexico, mandated in part by NMSA 77-1-1-20. This necessity is underscored by the fact that over 105,000 unwanted animals are handled by New Mexico animal shelters each year, based on a 2007 shelter survey conducted by Animal Protection of New Mexico. The persistent outcry from the public and responsible agencies for effective and humane animal services supports the need for safe and clean animal shelters throughout New Mexico.
In addition, the health, safety and general welfare of the animals and residents of New Mexico are better served when communities provide proper shelter to stray, abandoned or unwanted animals. Without these facilities, there are higher liability risks for the community and local government that include:
- an increase in animal bite incidents;
- an increase in property damage (i.e. livestock depredation, vehicle damage);
potential for civil and criminal suits when taxpayers allege mistreatment of sheltered animals;
- an increase in negative human/animal contact when taxpayers do not use or support their local shelter due to lack of faith in conduct and care;
- an increase in animal control costs that escalate without intervention (i.e. spay-neuter programs);
an increase in animal suffering and cruelty.
 The Solution:
Ensuring community animal shelters provide clean, safe and humane conditions for animals.
In recent years, the legislature has recognized the need for humane shelters in New Mexico, and has begun to deliver both funds and infrastructure for its community shelters. This comprehensive approach will reap benefits for the entire state, making New Mexico a better place to live for both people and animals.
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