Animal agencies adopt steps to cope with COVID-19

While humans shelter in place and practice social distancing to protect from spreading or contracting the Coronavirus, COVID-19, the companion-animal community also is taking steps to protect people and pets during the pandemic.

The following information is compiled from various press releases and sources.

The Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV) has implemented changes to reduce the number of animals coming into the facility.

Healthy stray animals from the public will not be accepted for impoundment until further notice.

“Stray animals from the public is our second-highest impound reason. If we can keep those healthy stray animals out of the center, we will save lives here in the center,” said ASCMV Executive Director Clint Thacker. “The average number of animals leaving the center has dropped, causing our already high population to continue to grow. We topped 400 animals earlier this week.”

Thacker said the public can assist ASCMV staff in the following ways.

• Hold onto stray animals. Post on the numerous lost and found Facebook pages for Las Cruces. Also post to or check Craigslist, and post fliers in any area where an animal was found.
• Rehome your animal rather than bringing it to the ASCMV. Look for friends or relatives who will care for it. Post it on Facebook and other sites. Keep in mind that it is against the law to abandon an animal.
• Fosters are needed! Fosters who can take one or more animals into their home pending permanent adoption are lifesavers. Fosters can choose a healthy animal or one that needs a little more TLC. Fostering saves lives.

Other temporary actions the ASCMV is taking to stabilize the population are:

• Accepting only sick or injured owner-surrendered animals.
• Making only emergency health appointments.
• Reducing on-hand staff, allowing more to work remotely.
• Offering free adoptions.
• Asking animal control to bring only emergency cases to the center, such as cruelty cases, injured and sick animals

In response, the Las Cruces Police Department’s animal control division has announced it will maintain operations but will focus primarily on calls deemed high priority.

Calls falling under the high-priority category include:

• Calls for assistance from Las Cruces Police Department officers.
• Animal bites.
• Vicious or dangerous dog complaints.
• Animal cruelty complaints.
• Animal care and maintenance complaints.
• Stray animal calls.
• Animals in traps.
• Snake calls.

The following responses are being suspended until further notice:

• Owner release of healthy animals unless they pose a threat to the owner or public.
• Issuing of city-owned animal traps.
• Permit inspections.

To file a report with Las Cruces Animal Control, call 575-526-0795.

According to LCPD spokesperson Dan Trujillo, the temporary changes are designed to both reduce the number of human contacts during the Coronavirus outbreak and to help the ASCMV reduce its population.

A local rescue agency that frequently pulls animals from the ASCMV for foster and adoptions is Action Program for Animals (APA).

APA Executive Director Michele Munier has announced steps to protect staff, volunteers and potential adopters. Until further notice, she said, the APA Adoption Center at 800 W. Picacho will open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for adoptions, with appointments available for other time slots by calling 575-575-571-4654 or 575-644-0505.

Munier said APA is implementing a freeze on intakes until further notice, but the agency will continue to operate its pet-food bank Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“APA will inform [the community] when normal operations resume.,” she said. “APA prides itself on the care given to the pets who reside at our facility and with foster families before they find their forever homes. APA has high-standard cleaning practices that are followed each day for all our dog kennels, cat rooms, thrift store, communal rooms, lobbies, exam rooms, play yards, etc.”

Munier said APA’s Second Chance Thrift Store remains closed until further notice, and the organization is badly in need of donations to continue operations in the absence of revenue from that facility. To donate to APA, visit its Facebook page, where updated information also will be posted on a regular basis.