Las Cruces non-profit is trying to bring back a 24/7 emergency veterinarian clinic

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Las Cruces doesn't have a 24/7 emergency veterinarian clinic, and non profit Animals Companions of Las Cruces is trying to change that.

Dawn Duncan started the non profit in August after she nearly lost her dog Fergus when she had to rush him to El Paso for treatment in June.

According to Duncan, Las Cruces is just one of three cities their size in the entire nation that doesn't have 24/7 emergency animal care.

"We are poised to be able to afford it but our veterinarian staffs are completely stressed so we are here to provide the support and resources to make it possible," Duncan said.

Duncan isn't the only one who has nearly been let down by the lack of service in Las Cruces. Leslie Welch was forced to rush her dog to El Paso too.

"It's difficult on many levels, firstly it's just the stress of calling your vet in town here and being told you have to go to El Paso," Welch said. Then to drive 45 minutes to an hour with a sick dog alone in a car on a Sunday night at 10.30 is pretty scary."

The last 24/7 vet in Las Cruces closed in 2019.

So far Animals companions of Las Cruces have surveyed 63 vets in towns near the city to see how they can best provide the resources and support to bring back an emergency clinic in Las Cruces that can serve all of Southern New Mexico.

If you want to help their mission you can reach out to Duncan via email at dawn@narrative4.com or head to their website.