ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – The Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department (AWD) is calling for additional volunteers to support its growing kitten and puppy caregiver team as spring approaches. The department will begin hosting free orphan‑kitten and puppy caregiver training classes in March, offering new volunteers an introduction to caring for neonatal and underweight animals that require round‑the‑clock support.
According to the department, volunteer caregivers play a crucial role in helping young animals that are not yet ready for adoption. Director Carolyn Ortega says fostering is essential to AWD’s ability to provide proper care to these vulnerable populations before they transition into permanent homes.
AWD offers several types of volunteer opportunities, each designed to match the needs of the animals with the abilities of caregivers. First responders provide overnight care for neonatal kittens and puppies. Nursery caregivers work inside AWD’s shelter clinic, offering hands‑on support until foster families become available. Foster caregivers open their homes to animals that need temporary placement, with AWD supplying food and necessary care materials for volunteers…