Locations & Hours

• Residents must bring proof of ownership to reclaim.
• A valid Photo ID is required with proof of address if other than what is on the ID.
• If your dog is spayed/neutered and has never been impounded fees will be waived.
• Otherwise fees typically apply and must be paid at the time of reclaim.
• Credit cards will not be accepted after regular shelter business hours.
• All animals must be sterilized before release; if your pet is not already sterilized, it will stay at the shelter and have surgery on the next available date.
• Some situations require special approval and must occur during regular shelter business hours.

Only animals that already have a valid intact permit or animals from counties other than Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrance, Santa Fe, Sandoval, or Cibola, will be released unsterilized.

Residents must live in Albuquerque to bring animals.

Animal Reclaim

The fees associated with reclaiming your pet can vary significantly and depend on whether or not your pet has been previously impounded, spayed/neutered, licensed or vaccinated and the number of days your animal has spent in our shelter. Other fees may apply when reclaiming your animal.

Please be sure to:

• Have proof of animal ownership (vaccination or photo)
• Have proof of vaccination (if applicable)
• Have a valid driver's license or photo ID with your date of birth, and proof of your current address. Must be over 18 years of age.
• Animal Services accepts payment by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, and American Express.

We can help. One of the quickest ways to reunite the pet with its owner is to deliver it to Eastside or Westside shelter only. Stray animals will be held there until available for adoption. Find more information about  finding your lost pets and what to do with found pets.

If you change your mind shortly after adopting an animal, returning a pet that was adopted from the Animal Welfare Department must be done by the adopting party.

Seven days a week 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you are considering surrendering a pet, please contact an Animal Welfare surrender counselor by calling 311 or 505-768-2000.

Animal Welfare surrender counselors work with pet owners to find an acceptable way to prevent the surrender. Counselor services include:

• Advice on behavior issues
• Free low-income and moderate-income spay or neuter services
• Advice on other placement options for best interests of the animal

To voluntarily be placed on a waiting list, call 311 or 505-768-2000 and provide your name and telephone number to the operator. You will be contacted within one to three days. If you must surrender a dog or cat immediately, please bring the pet to the East Side Shelter.

• Eastside Shelter: 8920 Lomas NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112