ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A recent report indicates that New Mexico’s animal welfare system is ineffective, highlighting that 30 out of 33 counties lack sufficient veterinary access and that shelter intake rates are three times the national average. Animal Protection New Mexico spent nearly two years interviewing over 100 individuals involved in animal welfare across central and northern New Mexico, and analyzing local, state, and national data.
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Jessica Shelton, chief strategy officer for Animal Protection New Mexico, stated that the report brings to light longstanding issues in the system. "We’ve known the entire time that there have been problems," she said. "The question is does our current system work? And the report shows it does not work."
The report notes that shelter workers, veterinarians, animal control officers, and tribal leaders have communicated concerns regarding overpopulation and inadequate care. Shelton argued that these problems relate to jobs, public health, and safety.
As for recommendations, the report highlights that the majority of New Mexico’s counties are considered low veterinary access regions, making spay and neuter services difficult to obtain. This scarcity contributes to a significantly higher influx of dogs and cats into the state's shelters.
The report advocates for the establishment of a New Mexico Department of Animal Protection, which would aim to enhance shelter resources, allocate funding more effectively, and overall improve animal welfare statewide. Shelton emphasized the need for such an office, saying, "New state agencies don’t just pop up out of thin air, right? We need to, and we will make the case for why this is needed."
The organization intends to draw insights from states like Colorado and Delaware, which have successfully implemented similar offices, to develop their goals and budget proposals. Additionally, they seek support from future administrations.