Sandoval County Animal Services looking for community help as kennels are full

Sandoval County Animal Services has been pushed to the brink with stray animals in its care.

Kennels are well over 100%t capacity, and the department is asking the community to help.

“We are asking for any kind of help to take in one or two of the canines we currently have in our care,” Animal Care Associate Kimberly Jaramillo said. “Our holding facility only holds 20 kennels, which are full. If you are available to help, please reach out via email at sandovalpets@sandovalcountynm.gov or call our office at 505-867-7642. Please leave a detailed message with your name and a call back number.”

Animal Services, a division of Sandoval County Community Services, is a department of three employees that cares for and tries to find homes for pets in need.

“We’re basically the first point of contact when the animal control officers bring animals that are stray, had been abandoned from hoarding situations, things of that nature, and they come into us,” Jaramillo said. “When the animals come into us, it’s our responsibility to care for them, rehabilitate them. We provide veterinary care. We don’t have vet staff here. But whatever vet care is needed, we have contracts with local vets so all animals that come into our care will receive vaccinations, microchips, spay and neuter and all heartworm tests. Our goal then, once they’re here, is to identify either rescues, adoptive homes or foster homes for the animals in our care. And that’s how we filter them out and get them placed into the community. We have a very active adoption program. We go into the community at least once a week, mostly Saturdays. We’re out in the community a lot promoting the animals in hopes that they will get into that forever home or at least a foster situation until we can get them a home.”

Animal Services is constantly looking for foster homes and adoptions for the pets.

Dogs impounded by Sandoval County are initially taken to a climate-controlled kennel facility located on the Administrative Campus at 1500 Idalia Road in Bernalillo, while cats are placed in feline-specific safe environments. Most pets impounded by Sandoval County are either returned to the owner or Animal Services uses PetFinder and Adopt-a-Pet to post animals ready for adoption.

“We are in need of foster parents and volunteers. We provide the supplies necessary for anyone willing to provide a foster home to animals in our care,” Jaramillo said. “For our volunteers, we are seeking people who are willing to come socialize and/or spend time with the dogs at the kennels or participate in adoption events.”

The foster application can be found online at FosterAdoptApplication.pdf (sandovalcountynm.gov)

The volunteer application can be found at sandovalcountynm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/VolunteerForm.pdf