Las Cruces set to vote on new animal shelter

Las Crucens will vote on whether to approve a $9.8 million bond to build an entirely new animal shelter.

Mesilla Valley Animal Service Shelter told ABC-7 the biggest problem with their current building is the lack of space for the animals.

“Currently we have three dogs, three large dogs, two to three dogs per kennel. Our small dogs we have upwards of four per kennel,” said Clinton Thacker, executive director of the shelter.

Thacker said the crowded conditions can lead to bigger issues such as rapid spreading of diseases.

The shelter battled a giarda outbreak in April that spread to multiple animals.

Thacker said if approved, the bond would also help medical staff have better clinical space. “We only have one table that we can use, we have one surgical suite, we have one surgical suite that can be utilized, so it’s tight quarters.”

The current shelter will be turned into a high capacity spay and neuter facility after it is remodeled. The bond ballots will be mailed out july twenty fourth. They need to be mailed back in by august twenty first.