City animal shelter reports reduced intake and increased adoptions amid community initiatives

In a recent meeting of the Albuquerque Committee of the Whole, city officials celebrated significant strides in animal welfare, highlighting a notable decrease in shelter intake and an increase in pet adoptions. The meeting, held on May 8, 2025, showcased the city's ongoing efforts to improve animal care and community engagement.

The statistics shared by the Animal Welfare Department were encouraging. Animal intake has dropped by 6.5%, with owner surrenders down by 4% and stray animals decreasing by 9%. In a positive turn, pet reclaims surged by 25%, indicating successful efforts in returning lost pets to their homes. The euthanasia rate also saw a commendable decline of 9%, while adoptions increased by 6% as a percentage of total intake this fiscal year.

A key factor in these improvements has been the partnership with the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) and Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR), which facilitated the use of scanners at substations. Over the past two months, 35 pets were brought to these locations, with 31 of them being microchipped and returned to their owners before reaching the shelter.

The department's proactive approach to spaying and neutering has also played a crucial role. Since July 2024, they have performed 2,571 spay and neuter procedures and administered 6,319 vaccinations. The department has organized 94 adoption events, taking pets directly to the community rather than waiting for potential adopters to visit the shelter. As a result, the shelter's population has decreased from a high of 1,200 pets to just 550, well within the capacity of 750 kennels.

However, the meeting also addressed concerns regarding budget allocations for large-scale spay and neuter programs. Councilor Fiebelkorn raised questions about the absence of funding for these initiatives, despite ongoing community needs. The director explained that the waiting list for spay and neuter services has significantly reduced from over 5,000 animals in 2021 to just 58 today, suggesting that the immediate demand has been met.

Despite these positive developments, some council members cautioned against complacency. Councilor Sanchez emphasized the importance of sustaining programs like the street cat hub, which has proven essential in managing the local cat population and preventing overcrowding in shelters.

As the meeting concluded, the atmosphere was one of cautious optimism. While the city has made impressive progress in animal welfare, officials acknowledged the ongoing challenges and the need for continued community support and funding to ensure these initiatives thrive in the future. The commitment to animal care remains strong, with a clear focus on proactive measures and community involvement as the path forward.