The City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department’s mission is to protect and serve the pets and people of Albuquerque by providing Caregiving, Awareness, Resources, Enforcement and Service excellence.

Animal Welfare Department Meets Spay/Neuter Goal

Emergency Services: Dial 911
Non-Emergency Dispatch: 242-COPS

Albuquerque residents stepped up during “kitten season”

April 16, 2026

ALBUQUERQUE— The Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department (AWD) reached its goal today of scheduling 100 spay/neuter surgeries for cats. The department thanks residents for helping curb pet overpopulation by participating in this “kitten season” initiative.

“Spaying or neutering reduces the number of animals entering shelters, improves pet health, reduces unwanted behaviors, and can lower the overall cost of pet care,” said AWD Director Carolyn Ortega. “We applaud our community for stepping up and being part of the solution.”

In most cases Albuquerque law requires dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered. AWD’s veterinary clinic offers free spay/neuter services for qualified low- and moderate-income Albuquerque residents. AWD also offers the Spay Your Mama program, which allows residents to have a mother cat or dog spayed when her litter is surrendered. For more information, call 311.

To assist with managing cat populations, residents can also contact the Street Cat Hub at (505) 247-9357 for help with trapping and spay/neuter services. This approach is recommended by the ASPCA and other animal welfare experts as a humane and effective way to control population growth.

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