Las Cruces Shelter At Capacity, Dozens Of Pets To Be Put To Sleep
By ABC-7 Reporter Marissa Monroy
LAS CRUCES — It’s been said before: spay and neuter your pets and you can prevent dogs and cats from being euthanized. Still, officials in Las Cruces say some people still don’t get the message and dozens of pets may pay the price.
Sunday was anunusually busy day at the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley. If not enough pets are adopted in the next 24 hours, shelter officials will have to make the tough decision to euthanize 50 puppies Late Monday.
“Once they’re dead and they’re in the county dump, there is no second chance at a home,” said Dr. Beth Vesco-Mock, who works at the animal shelter. “I want totry and give them every chance possible to get a home.”
The animal shelter only has the capacity to hold 250 pets. Currently, more than 400 dogs and cats are being held at the facility. According to officials, workers euthanize about 30 animals every day and about 9,000 each year. They say that amounts to more than the average attendance at a New Mexico State University football games.
With the limited space, shelter officials say it’s now more important than ever for area residentstospay and neuter their pets.
They also want to let residents interested in adopting to consider the investment, bothin time and money, that they will have to make. “You don’t want people to adopta puppy to save it today and then — when they’re seven months old — realize they’re not capable of taking care of the dog,” said Vesco-Mock.
Anyone interested in adopting a pet at the center can call 1-575-382-0018.
