Beginning Thursday, March 19, the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV) will implement changes to reduce the number of animals coming into the Center.
Healthy stray animals from the public will not be accepted for impoundment. “Stray animals from the public is our second-highest impound reason. If we can keep those healthy stray animals out of the center, we will save lives here in the center,” said ASCMV Executive Director Clint Thacker.
“The average number of animals leaving the center has dropped, causing our already high population to continue to grow. We topped 400 animals earlier this week,” Thacker said.
Other temporary actions the ASCMV is taking to population are:
- Asking animal control to bring only emergency cases to the center, such as cruelty cases, injured and sick animals
- Accepting only sick or injured owner-surrendered animals.
- Making only emergency health appointments.
- Reducing on-hand staff, allowing more to work remotely.
- Offering free adoptions.
How can the public help?
- Hold onto stray animals. Post on the numerous lost and found Facebook pages for Las Cruces. Also post to or check Craigslist, and post fliers in any area where an animal was found.
- Re-home your animal rather than bringing it to the ASCMV. Look for friends or relatives who will care for it. Post it on Facebook and other sites. Keep in mind that it is against the law to abandon an animal.
- Fosters are needed! Fosters who can take one or more animals into their home pending permanent adoption are lifesavers. Fosters can choose a healthy animal or one that needs a little more TLC. Fostering saves lives.