Sandoval County Commission proclaims October as ‘Adopt a Shelter Dog Month’

The Sandoval County Commission applauded the county’s Animal Services staff and proclaimed October as “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month” at the Oct. 11 meeting.

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,” Animal Care Associate Kimberly 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 they at least a foster situation until we can get them a home.”

Community Services Director Jayme Espinoza said that Animal Services only has 19 kennels, so Jaramillo and Valentina Leyba, the third member of the staff, are constantly looking for foster homes and adoptions for the pets.

“We are always, always always juggling,” Espinoza said. “These girls work day and night to try to find homes.”

In October 1981, the American Humane founded adopted dog month in response to the growing number of dogs entering shelters every year.

“This October, we encourage our friends to open their hearts and homes to a dog in need,” Meek said. “Adopting a dog from a shelter saves a life, breaks the cycle a pet overpopulation and provides the many benefits that come from having a four-legged family member.”

After reading the proclamation, Meek praised Espinoza, Jaramillo and Leyba for the work they do and singled out the group getting seven dogs adopted at the Mayor’s Sunday is Funday in August.

“Your organization is doing such a fantastic job,” Meek said. “I mean seven dogs were adopted that one day and maybe more if we would have had more, they only had a little band so we need to get them a bigger van.”

Shot clinic

Sandoval County Animal Services began a partnership with Loretto Veterinary Clinic in Bernalillo this year to provide shots for dogs and cats.

The next vaccination clinic will be 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 14 at 370 Rotary Park Road in Bernalillo. The clinic will offer the following vaccinations: K9 DA2PP: $25; puppy DA2PP with coronavirus: $30; feline FVRCP: $20; one-year rabies: $15; three-year rabies: $28 (with proof of one-year given previously); microchips: $25.