Puppies rescued from N.M.

In an effort to help save the lives of 20 New Mexico puppies and dogs, the Green River Animal Control officers are hosting an adoption event.

For several weeks, the Green River shelter has had few animals up for adoption, which is a good thing for this community. However, animal control officers Kim Wilkins and Tracy Wyant know all to well there are other shelters in other areas and states that are full. When shelters are too full, such is the case for several New Mexico shelters, those shelters have no choice but to euthanize animals to make room for more.

Wilkins has been in contact with an animal rescue group out of Ogden, Utah. They put her in touch with a shelter workers from the Noah's Ark Animal Shelter in Carlsbad, N.M., and the Valencia County Animal Shelter in Los Lunas, N.M., which are both facing overcrowding issues at their shelters.

Wilkins said they originally agreed to take 15 puppies and dogs, but then decided to take a litter of puppies that where just dropped off at one of the facilities for a total of 20.

She said these shelters have enough room for 110 dogs, but they are getting 30 to 70 dogs coming in every day.

"They don't have room for that many dogs," she said.

This isn't the first time the animal shelter has helped another shelter out. Wilkins said they have helped Riverton with its crowding issues in the past and will continue to do so if the Green River shelter has the space.

By working with Viva N.M. Rural Animal Rescue, the 20 dogs were loaded up and transported for 11 hours to Green River. This rescue mission all took place in three days, which Wilkins described as a whirlwind.

"We're saving lives," Wilkins said. "That's the whole idea of it all."

Wyant said the puppies and dogs range in age from eight weeks old to about four years and are all mixed breeds of chihuahuas, shepherds, heelers, pit bulls, collies and boxers.

Wyant said they made sure to hand pick every animal by looking at their photo and information on the New Mexico shelters' websites. Wyant said they wanted to pick dogs and puppies they new would easily find homes in Green River.

Once these puppies arrived in Green River, they were groomed, and inspected for fleas and ticks. Wyant said all of these animals have been vaccinated and have had a vet visit.

All of this is in preparation for the shelter's adoption event, which will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

However, Wyant said with their summer hours going into effect, residents can adopt them sooner. The shelter's summer hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekends.

Wyant said the support for the animal control to do this has been amazing and residents have already been stopping by to look at the new arrivals.

"We've got a great community. We have a good rapport and I don't think it will be a problem finding them homes," Wyant said.