Adoption: Medical Risks

Any time you adopt an animal from any animal shelter, there is a certain medical risk.

Each animal is medically assessed when it is admitted and its health while at the shelter. However, an animal may be incubating a disease at the time of admission or adoption without showing any clinical signs of disease.

Qualified Adopter Requirements

• Person who is 18 years of age or older, who has never been convicted of any form of Cruelty under the law in addition has never been convicted two or more times for any violation of the City of Albuquerque Animal Ordinance (or predecessor ordinance)
• Never had any animal-related permit revoked or suspended
• Never failed to reclaim an animal from the Animal Care Center
• Has not owner surrendered an animal within one year of time of adoption
• Has never been convicted of child or domestic abuse
• No more than six animals per household are permitted in the city

Animal Services Division's Right of Refusal

Please understand that this is an adoption, not a "sale." The Albuquerque Animal Services Division reserves the right to postpone or refuse an adoption to persons not meeting the selected adoption criteria of our animals.

Adoption Fees

Be sure to check "News from Animal Welfare" for any specials we may be running!

Standard Adoption fees are as follows:

• $82 for dogs that came into the shelters un-sterilized
• $59 for cats that came into the shelters un-sterilized
• $32 for all cats and dogs that came into the shelter sterilized

For companion animals that came into the shelter un-sterilized, this special price includes the following:

• The animal's sterilization (if old enough to undergo surgery);
• Any postoperative care--if needed;
• Rabies vaccination;
• For dogs, their first Distemper/Parvo vaccination and Intranasal Bordatella;
• For cats, their first Rhinotracheitis/Calicivirus/Panleukopenia vaccination and Feline Leukemia test;
• Microchip with lifetime registration;
• City license;
• Free initial veterinarian's examination from a participating clinic.

For companion animals that came into the shelter sterilized, this special price includes the following:

• Rabies vaccination;
• For dogs, their first Distemper/Parvo vaccination and Intranasal Bordatella;
• For cats, their first Rhinotracheitis/Calicivirus/Panleukopenia vaccination and Feline Leukemia test;
• Microchip with lifetime registration;
• City license;
• Free initial veterinarian's examination from a participating clinic.

Please note: Animals deemed too young or infirm may require a "prepay" sterilization receipt of appointment.