Westside Shelter Expands Days of Service
ALBUQUERQUE – Beginning Monday, June 9, the City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department (AWD) is expanding the Westside shelter days of service to seven days a week with operational hours of 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and pet viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This means that both the east and west side locations will now be open seven days a week, easing access to AWD’s overpopulated shelter this summer.
Now is the time to help sheltered animals. The summer months bring in significantly more strays to our already overcrowded shelter system. AWD needs the community's support in adopting, fostering, volunteering and spaying or neutering pets.
“Opening the Westside shelter seven days a week is a big step toward helping our city’s most vulnerable animals,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “With both shelters now open every day, we’re making it easier for families to find their new best friend and give more pets a second chance.”
In an ongoing effort to provide accessible services and promote responsible pet ownership, AWD will continue to offer free microchipping and pet tags through July 3. It is essential to ensure that the details linked to your pet’s microchip remain up-to-date so the pet can be successfully identified. AWD’s shelter provides free year-round service to update pet owners’ microchips.
“This expansion is about giving every pet in our care the best chance at a loving home,” said Director of Animal Welfare Carolyn Ortega. “Being open seven days a week at both locations allows us to better serve our community and meet the increased needs of the summer season. We’re calling on Albuquerque residents to step up — adopt, foster, volunteer, and help us save lives.”
Should pets get lost and end up at either shelter, Animal Welfare wants to simplify returning them to their owners. Pet reclaim fees are waived. All animals must be sterilized before release; if your pet is not already sterilized, the pet will stay at the shelter and have surgery on the next available date. AWD’s admissions and reclaims is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The adoption fee is waived for all available pets in care and in foster homes. Standard adoption practices will still be in place, including background checks.
Click here to see available pets. To sign up as a foster, please email [email protected].