ASPCA Partnership Comes to Albuquerque, N.M.

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that Albuquerque, N.M. will become an ASPCA Partner Community in 2014 in an effort to save the lives of more at-risk and homeless pets through a collaborative effort called The ASPCA Partnership.

The ASPCA Partnership includes the following Albuquerque-area animal welfare agencies: the City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department (an open admission public shelter); and Animal Humane New Mexico (a private, non-profit animal welfare agency).

“Our new partners in Albuquerque have made significant strides in improving conditions for their community’s animals, but there is still work to be done,” said ASPCA President & CEO Matt Bershadker. “As a national organization, working together to have a greater impact on the lives of animals is one of the most important things we can do.”

The ASPCA Partnership will include annual planning meetings with Albuquerque partners to determine and monitor goals, strategies and needs. It also includes a grant allocation process, where partner agencies will have the opportunity to apply for substantial grants to address the community’s needs and implement targeted, sustainable programs aimed at increasing live outcomes for animals. The agencies will also have access to ASPCA resources, expertise and guidance, as well as strategic planning support, statistical analysis, training, and participation in ground-breaking research projects.

“We’re proud of what we have accomplished so far, and are excited about the many opportunities this partnership will bring,” said Barbara Bruin, director of The City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department.

“Albuquerque is thrilled and honored to have been selected for the ASPCA’s Community Partner Program.  As a community, we have made great strides in increasing our Live Release Rate.  We are eager to take our success to the next level with the ASPCA’s expertise and support,” said Peggy Weigle, Executive Director of Animal Humane New Mexico.

Last year, approximately 28,700 homeless animals entered the Albuquerque partner agencies. Aside from overcrowding in its shelters, some of the other challenges facing Albuquerque are the need for more lost animals to be reunited with their owners, an increase in targeted spay/neuter, and more pet adoptions.

Since 2007, the ASPCA has been lending its support, financially and through training and other human resources, to communities around the country with the goal of helping them save more animals. The ASPCA’s work focuses a collective effort on sustainable, data-driven plans and programs that engage the community in providing positive outcomes for these animals. Since the ASPCA began its Partnership program in 2007, more than one million animals have been adopted, returned to owners, or spay/neutered as a result of the exceptional collaboration among partner agencies in each community.

In addition to Albuquerque, N.M., the ASPCA’s current Partner Communities are Buncombe County, N.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; Miami-Dade County, Fla., Oklahoma City, Okla.; Sacramento, Calif.; Shelby County, Ala.; and Tallahassee, Fla.  The ASPCA’s investment in these partnerships—in the form of direct grants, capacity-building, training, ASPCA staff expertise, and strategic planning—varies from a one- to five-year period to address homeless animal issues in each community.