There is nothing like the unconditional love of a pet to enrich your life. They add meaning and perspective to our daily existence. Dogs daily greet you like a long-lost friend; keep you warm and comforted at night. Cats snuggle up with you and purr; connecting with you as perhaps no one else can. These are the joys of pet ownership. We hope you’ll experience these wonders when you adopt a pet. But adoption also means taking responsibility for their well-being and health and safety. If you’re ready to make that 10-years plus commitment to these responsibilities, then we have some information for you.

Adoption Fees

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

Special Fees continued through August, 2009!:

• Dogs

   -$40 for puppies and dogs under 3 years of age

   -$30 for Senior Citizens (50 years of age and up according to AARP)

   -$20 for all dogs 3 years of age and older

• Cats

   -$30 for kittens and cats under 3 years of age

   -$20 for Senior Citizens (50 years of age and up according to AARP)

   -$10 for all cats 3 years of age and older

(The old Standard Adoption fees were:
$82 for dogs that came into the shelters un-sterilized
$59 for cats that came into the shelters un-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 (1 year);
• 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 (1 year);
• 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 (1 year);
• 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 (1 year);
• 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.

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 Welfare Department
• 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, of which no more than four can be dogs.

Adoption: Medical Risks 

Anytime 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. 

Animal Welfare Department's Right of Refusal

Please understand that this is an adoption, not a "sale." The Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department reserves the right to refuse any adoption based on the best interest of the animal.