ALBUQUERQUE — Today, Mayor Tim Keller and the Animal Welfare Department (AWD) announced the near completion of phase one renovations to improve and modernize the Westside Animal Shelter. The $4.5 million project aims to reduce stress for shelter animals while creating a welcoming experience for patrons, prospective adopters, and volunteers. Funding sources include Capital funding, GO Bonds, State Junior Bill, State Capital Outlay, General Fund, and donations.
“Albuquerque is recognized nationally as a pet-friendly city, and we take the health and well-being of our pets seriously,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “By extensively improving and modernizing the Westside Animal Shelter, we’re investing in a brighter future for these animals and the families who will give them their forever homes.”
Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn expressed gratitude for state legislators' support: “Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto's extraordinary donation of over $1 million served as the bedrock of our funding. His generous contribution empowered the City to greatly elevate the living conditions and welfare of all the animals who spend time in our shelter system. A sincere thank you to Senator Ivey-Soto!”
NM State Senator Daniel Ivey emphasized community values: "The mark of a community is how they treat the least among them. Animals provide comfort and care but cannot speak for themselves and can be very vulnerable. I was pleased to support Councilor Fiebelkorn's request for funding so that we can continue to provide proper care for those creatures who often care for us the most."
Phase one renovations have doubled outdoor play space by reconfiguring dog runs from six to eight and added two new bonding areas for dogs to meet potential new families. Existing play yards were optimized into five play yards, allowing dogs more space to socialize and reduce stress.
Upgrades include three large shade structures covering 3,250 square feet of play yards, facilitating year-round exercise and training. One yard features an elevated walkway, fire hydrant statue, benches, and a table.
New colored privacy panels are being installed in front of dog kennels to provide partial visual barriers, offering dogs more choices in their environment.
Other improvements include:
- Upgraded HVAC system with refrigerated air
- Landscaping enhancements with xeriscaping, new gravel, irrigation systems
- Custom interior wall graphics
- ADA-compliant employee restroom renovations
Internships with Atrisco Heritage High School are also being introduced for students to gain skills while supporting AWD staff.
Phase two will begin this summer with facility door replacements, expanded landscaping, and replacing trough drain covers in kennel buildings.
State Representative Eleanor Chavez commented on the upgrades: “I am excited that our Westside animal shelter has been upgraded so that our animals in search of a home are well taken care of.”
AWD acknowledged support from various officials including Mayor Tim Keller; NM State Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto; State Representatives Eleanor Chavez and Cynthia Borrego; Councilors Tammy Fiebelkorn and Klarissa Pena; Vickie Fisher (President of Kennel Kompadres); DCAO Matt Whelan; Director Solid Waste Billy Gallegos; Lead Architect Oscar Tovar; General Contractor Franken Construction Project Foreman Rusty Hiers; CABA DMD Construction Project Manager Juanito Serna; AWD Building & Maintenance staff; Solid Waste Clean Cities.
“It has been wonderful to see the One Albuquerque spirit in action at the Westside shelter,” said Carolyn Ortega, Director of AWD. “The renovations are a great example of partnership between elected officials and inter-departments working together so that AWD can keep progressively moving forward.”
Families visiting the shelter are encouraged to adopt any one of hundreds of loving pets ready for a family. Adoption fees are waived for all pets which include spay or neuter services, vaccinations, custom pet tags, microchips, and one day of free basic dog training per adoption.
For more information on adoptable pets visit www.cabq.gov/pets.
Link to press conference: https://youtu.be/1x758sE0DXg?si=eHkIvt2q0eW1YDlz
The City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department’s mission is to protect and serve pets by providing caregiving awareness resources enforcement service excellence.
