Though the Animal Welfare Department is funded by the City of Albuquerque, the sheer volume of animals which are cared for by their three locations means that there are always funding gaps for those things which make the life at the shelter just a little better for the animals.  We are "The Friends" when there is a need!  Check out some of the ways we're able to help:

 

Animal Care Center Volunteer Program.  What better way to help the animals than to help counsel prospective adopters, greet and help the public, and care for and socialize the animals.  The budget for this program is limited.  We're happy to fill in the gaps, especially when it comes to providing recognition for these hard-working folks.  They supply the work, we supply the pizza!!

 

Toys, toys, toys.  We've supplied lots of toys--dog and cat.  It's always time for new toys!

 

Kennel supplies.  We've bought dozens of towels, plastic dog beds for the puppies, cozy beds for the kittens, crates, dog and cat food bowls, litter boxes, cardboard carriers, and kennel signs.

 

Grooming.  Electric clippers, replacement clipper blades, combs, brushes, grooming shears, hair dryers--the animals have to look their best!

 

Safety.  Feral cats pose a special hazard to the kennel staff when they try to move them.  And, feral cats are NOT HAPPY in a cattery cage.  Sooo, some ingenious person developed those cubes you'll see inside the top row of cages in the cattery.  They have the little round hole so that the cat can crawl inside for security and the cover that quickly swivels over that hole so that the kennel staff can remove the cube from the cage for its daily cleaning.  Yep, we've paid for replacement feral cat cages. 

 

More education.   We're always happy to fund the purchase of educational brochures and pamphlets.

 

Adopt-a-thons.  Shelter "open houses" and off-site adopt-a-thons are a regular occurrence.  We willingly provide funding for "special touches" - decorations, Halloween candy or Christmas stockings and treats for the children.  And, of course, there are always the Mascots' coloring books and trading cards, too!

 

Veterinary.  "We need a quick x-ray to make sure a kitten is "mended" and ready for adoption.  Can you help?"  You bet we can and did.  The kitten was pronounced "ready to go" and she did--she found a new home the next day!  "We've got a momma dog--all eight of her puppies are adopted and she's left.  We have people who are interested in her but she needs surgery.  Can you help?"  Again, we did.  Momma Dog now has her own special people, children to play with, and a dog "pal ."

Foster program.  We are now pleased to help with the foster program.  The foster parents supply the love and we supply the replacement milk for the puppies and kittens.