REGIONAL EVENTS AND NEWS

BERNALILLO COUNTY SPAY BLITZ

Animal Humane is launching a new program to reduce the unwanted cat population in Albuquerque by spaying 2,550 additional cats. Each year, Animal Humane and the City's Animal Welfare Department are inundated with thousands of unwanted cats. While both shelters work hard to find homes for as many cats and kittens as possible, the unfortunate reality is thousands of cats are euthanized each year because there are more cats than available homes.

Based on a successful program in Buffalo, NY, Animal Humane has taken on the challenge to reduce this population by dramatically increasing the number of female cats spayed each year - over and above what is currently being done. "Spaying female cats is the most effective way to reduce unwanted litters. Spaying kittens before they have their first litter has the biggest impact of all, which is why female kittens aged 4 - 6 months and weighing at least two pounds will be spayed for free at Animal Humane," said Peggy Weigle, Executive Director of Animal Humane. This program is for owned cats, not feral cats, which is a separate program at Animal Humane.

The goal of the program is to reduce the number of unwanted cats so that no healthy cat is euthanized in the City of Albuquerque. "To pull off this number of additional cat spays, Animal Humane is delighted to have the support of eight additional veterinary clinics for this program, including Albuquerque Cat Clinic, Rio Grande Animal Clinic, Southwest Veterinary Medical Center, Vet-Co, Inc. and all four Albuquerque VCA Animal Hospitals", Weigle explained. Other clinics are welcome to participate by calling Animal Humane at 938-7885.

This program applies ONLY to Bernalillo County residents and owners of female cats. The program is named the "Bernco Blitz". Click here for more details such as income requirements, particpating vets, and more information on the process.

From Our Current Newsletter

Check for more event listings in our current newsletter.

High winds cause courtyard roof to collapse at Sundance Ranch Sanctuary 12/16/08

The courtyard roof of the Cat Fancy Mansion was destroyed today by high winds. One volunteer states :The wind simply lifted the north half of the roof of its foundation and a cave in ensued." Initially two cats were reported missing. Director Doug Johnson states "Although not all the debris has been removed the missing cats are presumed escaped unharmed." Johnson adds "We planned on remodeling the courtyard at the end of 2009. Obviously mother nature had other ideas."

The clean up will take 2-3 days after which construction will begin on the new courtyard roof. It will take $5000-7000 to rebuild the roof and its underlying structure. The sanctuary has only a fraction of that amount in an emergency fund. Johnson says, "It could not have come at a worse time. The end of the year when the sanctuaries coffers are empty and 10 days before Christmas. I understand the economy is in a slump and everyones spending for the Holidays but we desperately need funds to do the rebuild."

If you wish to donate to help rebuild send check or money order to:
Sundance Emergency Fund
P.O. Box 5395
Clovis NM 88102
or you can donate on line at: www.sundancesanctuary.org/donate.html

PIT BULL PUPPY TRAINING CLASSES

Animal Humane Association of New Mexico (AHANM) and Responsibly Adopting Pit Bulls (RAPP) have joined forces to teach basic socialization skills to pit bull and pit bull cross puppies from two to five months old. Classes are taught by a certified pet dog trainer. Classes are held on Saturday mornings from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. at AHANM. No registration is needed and classes are on a drop-in basis. Please call ahead to be sure the class is offered that week. AHANM is located at 615 Virginia St. SE, Albuquerque. For more information call: (505) 255-5523.

WATERMELON MOUNTAIN RANCH
ANIMAL CENTER EVENTS

Check their calendar at: http://www.wmranch.org/calendar.htm for more information.

BRIDGING THE WORLDS
ANIMAL SANCTUARY ADOPTION DAYS

Saturdays, 12 to 3 p.m.
Dogs and cats are available for adoption from Bridging the Worlds Animal Sanctuary during Adoption Days from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays at locations throughout Santa Fe. Adoption fees are $100 for vaccinated animals who are spayed or neutered. For unaltered puppies, the adoption fee is $75 plus a $75 deposit, which is refunded after the animal is spayed or neutered. Bridging the Worlds offers sanctuary and finds homes for healthy, adoptable dogs scheduled to be euthanized in crowded shelters. For a schedule of Adoption Day events, visit www.bridgingtheworlds.org or call (505) 501-1887.

Adoption Clinics

Albuquerque Cat Action Team
Friday 4-8 p.m, Saturday 11-5, Sunday 12-5., at Petsmart, located at 8070 Academy NE, Albuquerque. It is the SE corner of Academy and Wyoming. CATS ONLY. Also, cats often available for showing by fosters during week if arranged. Call 323-2228

Felines and Friends
1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month Noon - 3:00 p.m. PETCO, Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe.
2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month Noon - 3:00 p.m. TECA TU, Sanbusco Center, Santa Fe.
During the week cats and kittens are display on a rotating basis at PETCO, TECA TU, and SANGRE DE CRISTO ANIMAL HOSPITAL, Santa Fe.

New Mexico Animal Friends
Every Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. PETsMART, 10248 Coors Bypass NW, Albuquerque.

Santa Fe Humane Society
Adopt pets at the Shelter every day or at:
PETsMART, 3561 Zafarano Dr., Santa Fe.
Monday - Friday: Noon - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 3:00 p.m.

Watermelon Ranch
PETsMART, 1221 Renaissance NW, Albuquerque.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sundays - Fridays: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
PETsMART, 350 Eubank NE, Albuquerque
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sundays - Fridays: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
PETsMART, 10248 Coors NW, Albuquerque.
Sundays: Noon - 4:00 p.m.
PETCO, 6300 San Mateo Blvd., Albuquerque.
Saturdays: Noon - 4:30 p.m.

Other Albuquerque area pet adoption clinics and sites

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Volunteer at the Albuquerque Animal Care Center. Our volunteers walk dogs, work with cats, greet the public and go to the elementary schools with our mascot. Please call 505-764-1137 to register.

HOOT: PNM'S NEW PROGRAM TO HELP PROTECT
NEW MEXICO'S BIRDS

Birds sometimes rest or build nests on or near power poles, which can put them in serious danger of electrocution. If you see a large bird such as a hawk or owl nesting or resting on a power pole, or even in a tree near power lines, or if you find a bird on the ground who may have been injured by a power line, please call 505-246-5700 in Albuquerque or (800) 687-7854 outside of Albuquerque. PNM is working with Hawks Aloft on this program. Thanks!

For more animal events, click here: www.apnm.org/get_involved/calendar.php