Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez got a chance to promote changes his city has made in its attitude toward pets today in a presentation to the Las Cruces City Council, which is considering a number of issues to deal with problems here.
Albuquerque has made a number of changes in recent years, including a mandatory spay and neuter program and the construction of several dog parks, that have lowered the city’s euthianization numbers by 9 percent and earned it a ranking of the third most pet-friendly city in the nation.
In the wake of a number of high-profile animal hoarding cases,
Also presenting to the council was Heather Greenhood, Animal Protection Voters of New Mexico legislative director, who said the
How to do it? Chávez said population control is the core issue. He suggested what
“You can’t be the No. 1 city if the pets in the city are being needlessly euthanized,” Chávez said. “That is a commentary on who we are as human beings and who we are as New Mexicans.”
The local animal shelter has also come under fire lately from citizen activists who have alleged numerous problems there, and a review by the Humane Society of the United States did find some issues. Greenhood, who visited the
“You guys are doing a tremendous job,” she said.
Greenhood also said all Las Cruces-area legislators have promised more funding to help improve the shelter and provide other funding for pet-related issues.
Chávez said it’s important to cooperate with Doña Ana County to combat the problems. Four of five commissioners were present at the city council meeting.
The meeting was productive for
The programs Chávez promoted are controversial.
Today’s meeting of the council was a work session, so no action was taken. Councilors will decide in the future how to proceed.