Should I report stray cats and dogs?

Yes, call the Animal Care Center at 768-1975.

If I lose my pet, can you tell me if it is at Animal Services?

Yes, if it's wearing a tag or has a microchip. You can view all of the animals at Albuquerque Animal Care Center by clicking on the Search Lost Pets link on our homepage. You can also search other area shelters for your lost pet via a link to Pet Harbor's Pet Search

What will it cost to reclaim my pet?

Some of the charges you may incur are listed in the table below. Also, you will need to provide proof of rabies vaccination and sterilization, and purchase a City license if you do not already have one.

What forms of payments will AACC Accept?

AACC can accept:

• Cash
• Personal check with ID
• VISA
• MC
• Gift Certificates from Animal Groups/approved By AACC

AACC cannot accept American Express or Discovery cards.

What do I need to do to get a City license for my pet?

The City of Albuquerque requires that you license your pet annually. You have 30 days from the time your pet receives its rabies vaccination to purchase the license. The cost for a one year license is $6.

There are several ways you can purchase a license for your pet:

• You may visit us at the Animal Care Center Eastside or Westside locations. Be sure to bring a copy of your pet's current rabies vaccination certificate from your veterinarian.
• Many veterinarians will sell you a City license at the time you get your pet vaccinated so be sure to check with them at the time your pet receives its rabies vaccination.
• You may mail your payment along with the copy of your pet's current rabies vaccination form to either of our locations, or
• You may mail your payment and copy of the current rabies vaccination certificate to:

  City of Albuquerque Animal Licensing
  C/O PetData
  222 W Las Colinas Blvd, Suite 1345
  Irving, TX 75039

You can visit the PetData site or call 1-866-364-8610 for more information about licensing your pet in Albuquerque.

Can I get a three year license for my pet?

No, not at this time.

What about Breeding permits?

Under the new HEART ordinance there are no longer Hobby Breeder Permits.

What about Litter Permits?

Anyone in possession of a valid Hobby Breeder Permit may present the permit to AACC to receive one Intact Animal Permit in exchange, provided that all the requirements for an Intact Animal Permit are met.

Otherwise, to get a Litter Permit, come to AACC and pay the Litter Permit fee of $150.00. All female intact companion animals must have an Intact Animal Permit and be licensed and microchipped or otherwise permanently identified before a litter permit will be issued.

Should I report an animal bite?

Yes, call the Animal Care Center at 768-1975. Please report the following:

• Physical description
• Color
• Size
• Breed
• Location of occurrence

Biting animals are held in confinement for 10 days or signed over to AACC for rabies testing. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately.

What do I do if I want a copy of a complaint report or other information?

There are a variety of requests which require you to fill out an Information Release Form available at either the Eastside or Westside shelters. Requests could include items such as copies of a complaint report or citations issued. The charge for these reports is $0.50 per page and it may take up to 3 days to provide you with the information, but in many cases we can handle your request immediately. If your request is classified as "burdensome" per the NM Inspection of Public Records Act, we will send you a letter asking for 15 days to respond.

What should I do if I see a sick, injured or dead animal in Albuquerque?

Call the Animal Care Center at 768-1975.

Can I arrange a tour of the shelter?

Yes, you may call 764-1137 for information.

Can I arrange educational presentations?

Yes, you may call 764-1164 for information.

Are there items which I can donate to the shelters?

Yes, we accept dog houses in good condition to supplement our loaner dog house program, pet care books, blankets and towels.

Monetary donations can be made to the Albuquerque Kennel Kompadres, the charity arm of the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department. Please call 897-0464 or 764-1164 for more information or mail your donation to 8920 Lomas Blvd. NE. All donations will be used directly for the health and well being of the pets.

If I want to adopt a pet that I have found and taken to the shelter do I have first rights?

You can put a $10 Priority Adopt Hold on an animal that is classified unavailable, then you would have first rights to adopt the animal once it becomes available. You must adopt the animal by 6 PM on the day it becomes available or you forfeit your $10 and your rights to the animal, otherwise the $10 will apply to the adoption fees.

How long are animals kept before they are available for adoption?

Animals with identification are held for owner pick up for a minimum of seven days and the owner is contacted by phone. If the owner does not make contact within this time frame, the animal is made available for adoption.

Animals without identification are held for 4 days for owner pickup before being made available for adoption.

Does Animal Services euthanize animals?

Our goal is to move toward a live-exit shelter. But for now, unfortunately yes, pets are sometimes euthanized. However, the primary cause of the strays put out on our streets is the irresponsible breeding of pets and owners not spaying or neutering pets. While on the street, they can become very sick or severely injured or so aggressive that they can attack and injure people. You can help by spaying and neutering your pets. That helps reduce the number of stray animals on the street which almost always end up in shelters. Microchipping also allows owners to quickly reclaim their pets before they can get in harm's way.

Can I adopt an animal from the Animal Care Center?

Yes, see our page on adoption requirements.

When can I bring my adopted pet in for its rabies shot?

If your puppy or kitten was too young to receive its rabies shot when you adopted it you can bring it back for its rabies vaccination once it is at least three months old. The AACC Rabies Shot Clinics are held:

• Wednesdays from 1 - 3 PM
• Thursdays from 10 AM - 1 PM

Please bring your adoption paperwork with you.

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a device about the size of a grain of rice that provides a permanent means of positive animal identification that cannot be lost, damage, removed or wear out. Animal health professionals insert the microchip by safe, painless injection between the animal’s shoulder blades, normally requiring no local anesthetic. Once implanted, the microchip requires no further attention during the animal's life. Owner information can be accessed by scanning, ensuring the rapid return of a lost animal. This will reduce the amount of animals impounded and killed in Albuquerque. Microchip information will also assist in reminding pet owners to register and vaccinate their animals. A numerical tattoo is also acceptable in lieu of a microchip. If your animal has a current rabies vaccination and license you can wait until your next veterinarian visit to get a microchip. By law, all dogs and cats must be microchipped by April 10, 2007.

Are Microchips Safe?

There is no known report of microchips causing cancer. The chip is 'non-reactive' surgical stainless steel, similar to what would be used in a bone fracture repair. It should be injected in the deep subcutaneous tissue between the shoulder blades. The chip can occasionally "migrate", or move down the side of the neck.

Will AACC Microchip my pet?

If you adopt a pet from the AACC, the microchipping cost is included in the adoption price.

Albuquerque residents may bring in personal pets with proof of rabies to get a microchip at either our westside or eastside shelters during business hours.

Effective April 10, 2007, the following is required to microchip your pet.

1. Personal ID
2. Proof of rabies vaccination
3. Proof of sterilization or current intact permit
4. Current city license

The cost is $15 per pet microchip. For qualified low income or seniors age 65 or older, the microchipping will be free of charge. If you are bringing in your personal pet, you must provide proof of a City license. City license requires proof of pet's vaccinations.

Vaccination Questions

All vaccines have potential side effects. A veterinarian should assess your pet's risk before vaccinating, and then on a yearly basis.

When should vaccinations begin?

Your puppy or kitten should get his or her first vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age. Kittens should be tested for the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) before being introduced to other cats in the home. It is recommended that all new pets receive a thorough physical exam by a doctor.

How many vaccinations will be needed?

• Puppies need a DHPP vaccination every three weeks until they are at least four months old, an adult DHP booster at one year, then every three years after that. Purebred Rottweilers, Dobermans, Staffordshire Terriers, American Bulldogs, and American Pit Bull Terriers need an additional DHPP vaccination at five months of age. Parainfluenza/Bordatella vaccine should be given yearly, if recommended, especially if you are going to board your dog. The first RABIES vaccination is given at three months, a booster at one year, then every one or three years depending on your veterinarian's recommendation.
• Kittens need a FVRCP vaccination every three weeks until they are at least 14 weeks old, a booster at one year, then boosters every three years. The first RABIES vaccine may be given at three months, a booster at one year, then every one or three years depending on your veterinarian's recommendation. FeLV vaccinations are first given at nine weeks of age or older, a booster in three or four weeks, then yearly. FeLV are only recommended for cats that may have exposure to other cats of unknown FeLV status.

Is it necessary to vaccinate very old animals or animals that stay indoors?

YES! Older animals, like older people, have decreased immunity. A disease which may cause only mild illness in a younger animal can be deadly to an older one. Many diseases we vaccinate for are highly contagious and can be carried through the air, on the skin and clothes of people, or in the urine and feces of animals. Even a brief trip outside, to the groomer, or to the veterinary hospital may leave your pet exposed. We recommend vaccinations throughout the life of your pet, as well as a yearly risk assessment by a veterinarian.

What diseases are dogs and cats vaccinated for?

DOGS:

• Distemper: A viral disease causing fever, diarrhea, respiratory problems, and convulsions. Often fatal.
• Hepatitis: A viral disease that attacks the liver and other organs.
• Parainfluenza: A highly contagious, airborne virus. Causes a harsh, hacking cough (one form of "kennel cough"). Vaccine only partially protective.
• Parvovirus: Highly contagious. Causes severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Can be fatal.
• Rabies: A viral disease causing temperament changes, inability to swallow, and convulsions. Ultimately fatal. Affects almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans.

CATS:

• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis: A highly contagious, upper respiratory virus causing sneezing, discharge from eyes and nose, and corneal ulcers.
• Calicivirus: Causes upper respiratory symptoms.
• Panleukopenia: "Feline distemper": Causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Often fatal.
• Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): Causes many varied symptoms including fever, weight loss, chronic illness, leukemia, and cancers. Usually fatal once clinical signs develop.
• Rabies: A viral disease causing temperament changes, inability to swallow, and convulsions. Ultimately fatal. Affects almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans.

You can read more about diseases which can affect your pet at the American Veterinary Medical Association web site.

Spay/Neuter Services

All dogs, cats and ferrets adopted from the Animal Care Center must be spayed or neutered. If the animal is not already spayed or neutered the cost of the surgery is included in the adoption fee and the procedure will be scheduled at the time of adoption. Surgeries are done on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at the Eastside Animal Care Center clinic. Animals must be dropped off between 9 AM and 6 PM the day before the scheduled surgery and can be picked up no earlier than 4:30 PM the day of the surgery. If you need to reschedule your surgery call 764-1975. Learn more about spay and neuter services >>