ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A program through Animal Humane New Mexico is helping take care of pets who belong to survivors fleeing domestic violence, people facing housing insecurity, or individuals who need extended medical or behavioral treatment.
The PitStop4Pets program at AHNM’s Pet Resource Center gives pets a temporary place to stay for up to 90 days while their owners tend to personal matters.
“Oftentimes, individuals will put off seeking medical or behavioral care, or they will choose not to leave a domestic violence situation because they have no one to care for their pets, or because they do not have the opportunity to take their pets with them,” explained Erica Webb, director of Community Programs for Animal Humane New Mexico. “And we want to help alleviate that burden for the individuals and for the pets themselves.”
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While pets are in temporary boarding, staff give them food, water, veterinarian care, bedding, and socialization time with volunteers. Pet owners are also allowed to visit with their furry friends.
“We want to make sure that pet parents can preserve that human-animal bond and the special bond that they have with their pets, so they can come and visit whenever they are able to do so,” Webb said.
AHNM is currently able to temporarily house cats at the Pet Resource Center, and once it gets more staffing, it will be able to have dogs stay at the center. For now, any dogs enrolled in the PitStop4Pets program are staying at Academy Kennels and Corrales Kennels.
“And so beginning in July or August, we will hopefully transition all of our boarding on-site here at the Pet Resource Center and be able to serve up to 15 families, depending on their pet makeup,” said Webb.
Since the PitStop4Pets program began in May 2024, AHNM has helped 17 families and a total of 31 pets, adding up to just over 1,200 total nights of boarding. “Individuals don’t have to prove income. They don’t have to be considering surrendering their pet. They just have to be facing one of these issues in order to utilize the service,” according to Webb.
The program has a 95% reclaim rate, meaning 95% of the individuals who have utilized the program have returned to take their pets back home with them.
Any individuals who may be in crisis and are interested in enrolling their pet in the PitStop4Pets program can request assistance on AHNM’s website here.
Pet owners are asked to fill out a questionnaire, which will be reviewed by AHNM staff to determine if owners qualify for assistance.
The PitStop4Pets program is free and paid for by AHNM, a non-profit organization. To donate to support its Pet Resource Center, click here.
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