County animal services gets grant from PetSmart

BERNALILLO — Sandoval County Animal Care Services announced March 16 that it is a recipient of a $5,000 PetSmart Charities grant.

The grant will supplement an existing medical fund for necessary services for animals to be adoption-ready, according to County Animal Care Services in a release.

Animals receive care such as microchip and spay/neuter procedures prior to placement.

Community Services Director Jayme Espinoza said that Animal Care Services participates in PetSmart In-store Adoption events, the release states.

“This partnership between PetSmart local stores and the County’s Animal Care Services creates the opportunity to showcase pets in need of their furever homes and also highlights how the County cares for abandoned pets and helps pet owners,” it reads.

Kimberly Jaramillo, assistant director of Animal Services, said that the PetSmart in-store adoption events have positive outcomes and are also a good socializing environment for the animals in the county’s care, the release states.

PetSmart Charities states on its website that it has been the leading funder of animal welfare in communities across North America for more than 30 years. It has granted over $600 million to change-making organizations that help transform the lives of pets and those who love them since 1994, it states.