Dogs (and cats) dig digging for the county

BERNALILLO — The dogs and cats of Sandoval County have marked their territory in Bernalillo.

Sandoval County broke ground for the new Animal Resource Center Feb. 19, to be constructed near Kaktus Brewing Company. The $8 million center will operate as a no-kill shelter, according to a release.

County Manager Wayne Johnson, though cold due to chilly winds near I-25, stated the project has really been going on for seven or eight years. 

"I would be remiss if I didn't mention a very important person. Anne Ryan, she's now up at Santa Fe County. We lost her, but she started this program. When I first came to Sandoval County, I think she had a puppy in her hands, and she said, 'We need a home for this guy, and you're gonna build this one,' and she got the commission on board," he said.

He added that the current commission has pushed the project forward by ensuring funding came through.

"We searched all over this corridor, the I-25 corridor, to find a home for these animals and for this facility; we could not find it anywhere. We were able to find this 22-acre plot that you see all around you some four years ago, and three years ago, and were able to purchase that as part of this project," Johnson said.

Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, who was present for the groundbreaking, also provided funding for the project, according to Johnson.

Stansbury, before speaking, invited two of the county's dogs to join her. Peaches, who is unavailable for adoption, and Kaktus, who is very adoptable, were happy to assist in the groundbreaking.

"This is really about our sweet animals. The most important thing that I can say to all of you this morning is please help us find a home for these animals, because that is really what this project is all about," Stansbury said.

She commended the staff and the "women-led construction crew" making the project possible.

"Here in Sandoval County, especially in our rural communities, so many animals have a need. And I was honored from the moment that I first took office in Congress, I was handed a stack of requests, and this was one of the very first requests that I got as a congressperson on my first day when I arrived, and so it is indeed a long project in the making," she said.

Another person who has highly anticipated the Animal Resource Center project was Commissioner Katherine Bruch, who Johnson said was always inquiring about the project.

"This is a tremendous honor, and I'm so glad we're here for the groundbreaking for this center. It's the first of its kind in Sandoval County; it's a place that we've built on hope and compassion and community experience. It's, as everyone has said, been in our plans for a very long time, and we did want to build it yesterday, but guess what, it's going to be well worth the wait," Bruch said. 

Bruch said there is not a concrete opening date for the center yet, but is slated top open in early 2027.

The shelter will be able to house 50-60 dogs and 12-20 cats at a time. The building will be comprised of kennels, offices, quarantine space and a dog park for residents and visitors to use, according to Bruch.

"Our commitment to care for these animals in the county will continue and is demonstrated every day in the Fire Animal Services team. The staff works every day, all year long, ensuring the well-being of our abandoned dogs and cats through conscientious fostering as well as adoption programs. I want to applaud them and know they will continue these successful efforts in this new facility. Safety, comfort and a second chance for animals in need will be provided and celebrated with the many lives that will be attached by this facility," she said.

She said the next big task will be staffing the center.

Commission Chair Jordan Juarez joked about the cold but more seriously recognized Bruch and he being able to agree on their love of animals, if not anything else.

"I can't say how much we are excited to finally have a shelter in New Mexico's fastest-growing county. That's what we strive for here," he said.

He also mentioned that every animal his family has, has been rescued or adopted.

"We've got to adopt. Don't shop," he said.

Funding for the project also came from legislative aid Rene Thompson, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, state Sen. Craig Brandt as well as state Reps. Matthew McQueen, Kathleen Cates and Catherine Cullen.