GALLUP, N.M. (KRQE) – Homeless dogs and puppies are being relocated to shelters in Albuquerque after the McKinley County Humane Society’s contract with the city of Gallup was terminated. Animal Humane New Mexico made the trek to northwestern New Mexico to transfer 21 dogs and puppies in need of urgent medical attention, following the termination of McKinley County Humane Society’s contract by the city of Gallup.
“We’ve been a partner with them for many, many years, and they let us know that they, unfortunately, were having to cease operations,” explained Executive Director of Animal Humane New Mexico Val Wilson. “So they made a plea for us to come and transfer animals from their care into our care, so this week our team of about six went down and collected animals.”
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The city of Gallup terminated the shelter’s contract due to “longstanding and unresolved operational problems.” The city claims they were unable to foster a cooperative relationship with the shelter, saying, “There has been disregard on the society’s part for veterinary guidelines.”
Citing an increase in euthanasia rates, lack of transparency for the use of public funds, and a 400 percent increase in parvo outbreaks in comparison to last year. “Many of them had been exposed, unfortunately, to parvovirus, so we do have a handful of puppies that are currently in our treatment ward being observed and under isolation at this time,” explained Wilson regarding the animals that they received.
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Ophelia is one of 21 dogs now in Animal Humane’s custody. She was brought to their campus with a jaw injury and was thought to be blind after being found abandoned in a school parking lot in Gallup. “They had originally reported that she wasn’t eating for them and had some eye issues, and they weren’t sure if she could see or not. So when we got her into our care, she immediately started eating. It was pretty incredible to see,” shared Wilson.
Veterinary staff believe Ophelia has not lost her sight, and she and the other 20 dogs are receiving care and antibiotics to treat parvo. The City of Albuquerque’s Animal Welfare Department also stepped up to help in Gallup, providing emergency placement for 17 dogs and puppies at their site…