Las Cruces Animal Control is restarting its Live Trap program that was temporarily paused in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Live Trap program allows Las Cruces residents to request use of a trap, free of charge, for the purpose of capturing nuisance stray dogs and cats. An Animal Control officer will deliver and set up the trap upon request, and then remove nuisance animals that are captured.
Animal Control has a limited number of live traps and currently, because the program just restarted, has a standing waiting list for usage of the traps.
Live traps issued by Las Cruces Animal Control are to be used only for the live capture of nuisance dogs and cats. Skunks, squirrels, raccoons, coyotes, bats and other potentially nuisance wildlife are handled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services. Protected wildlife such as bobcats, cougars, javelina, deer, oryx and birds of prey are handled by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Who to call:
- Las Cruces Animal Control: stray and nuisance dogs and cats. Animal Control officers will also respond to complaints of snakes at properties within city limits. (575) 528-4100 or (575) 526-0795.
- USDA Wildlife Services: nuisance skunks, racoons, squirrels, coyotes, bats, etc. (575) 527-6980.
- NM Game and Fish: protected wildlife such as bobcats, cougars, javelinas, deer, oryx, birds of prey, etc. (575) 532-2100.
Animal Control issues live traps for stray dogs and cats each Monday and the traps can be used, free of charge for Las Cruces city residents, for one week at a time.
It is against the law to cause harm or purposely injure stray dogs or cats other than having them live-trapped and safely turned over to Animal Control or the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley. It’s also against Las Cruces City Ordinance to discharge a firearm – including BB and pellet guns – within City limits.