ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It’s an ongoing issue: New Mexico is experiencing overcrowding and operational issues in shelters. Now it’s leading to some of them completely shutting down.
The Grants Animal Care Center announced it was closing on Friday due to overcrowding. The shelter had 94 animals in it, with the goal of 50 or less animals for its capacity. Meanwhile, a team from Animal Humane New Mexico in Albuquerque transferred 21 dogs and puppies, many exposed to Parvovirus and needing additional medical care from the McKinley County Humane Society in Gallup.
The City of Gallup released a statement on Oct. 2, stating that they would end their contract with the McKinley Humane Society. In their custody, the city says parvo had increased by 400% at that shelter in one year and stated, “There has been a disregard on the Society’s part for veterinary guidelines aimed at ensuring animal safety, a notable increase in euthanasia rates, and little transparency or accountability for the use of public funds the Society receives.”
Four days later, the City of Gallup announced their Animal Control would take over the shelter operations, transferring employees and equipment from Mckinley Humane over to the city’s oversight…