The city animal shelters of Albuquerque may be in line for upgrades depending upon the fate of a $200 million bond proposal that will go before voters this fall.
Two weeks ago, members of the Albuquerque City Council gave their approval to a list of facility and infrastructure projects citywide that will be funded by the bond, with the exact price tag detailed for each project.
Some $2.5 million is being allotted in the bond proposal for animal shelter planning, design, and renovation work.
The City of Albuquerque’s Animal Welfare Department has a busy facility called the Eastside Animal Shelter, located at 8920 Lomas Boulevard NE, and a Westside Shelter at 11800 Sunset Gardens Road SW.
Those shelters serve as adoption centers and veterinary clinics, while also providing free training classes with every dog adoption.
Additional facilities include two adoption centers, one located at 350 Eubank NE and the other at the Coronado Center in the 6600 block of Menaul NE.
At any given time, the department’s shelters may house up to 800 animals or more.
In his proposed budget for 2023, Mayor Tim Keller noted that the Animal Welfare Department had a budget of just under $13.9 million, while suggesting an increased budget of nearly $16 million.
That funding includes money for salaries, as well as telephone, fleet, and network and radio operations expenses.
By Garry Boulard
