Albuquerque animal shelter waives adoption fees during ‘Limited Edition Pet-oploy’

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The City of Albuquerque is encouraging folks to come check out the hundreds of dogs, cats and other animals inside animal shelters by waiving adoptions fees this weekend.

"This is Scout and he is a ferret and he’s going home to two other ferrets sisters and we’re really excited," said Tiffany, adopter.

Tiffany adopted a new pet ferret Saturday morning, after learning about the city’s adoption event this weekend.

"I saw it this morning on Facebook and then I decided to search and see if there was a ferret available because my husband and I like to rescue our animals, and I saw that he was available and came on right at 10:30 a.m.," said Tiffany.

It’s called "Limited Edition Pet-oply" – a play on the popular board game. The city’s Animal Welfare Department is hoping you can help the pets pass "go" and win a new home.

"Our hope is that we can get lots of people to come out and adopt we’re at 700 give or take animals in our shelters currently, so we’re hoping to get a big adoption turn out," said Chelsea Worley CABQ community engagement coordinator.

Worley says all the city’s shelters are at capacity, and they’re seeing an increase in animals right now because it’s puppy and kitten season – and also due to COVID.

"So I think there’s a lot of different issues that arose from people going back to offices rather than working from home, so a lot of people that were working from home adopted at the time and now that they’re leaving, and having to go back into the workplace they’re not able to take care of the animals the way that they hoped to," said Worley.

She says all of the city’s shelters are at capacity. That’s why this weekend for the event – they’re waiving adoption fees and each adoption includes spay or neuter, vaccinations and a microchip.

Plus, there are plenty of pets to chose from.

"We’ve got ferrets, we’ve got turtles, we’ve got all kinds of cool stuff so we hope everyone will come out and see what we’ve got," Worley said.

If you missed it Saturday and you’re still interested in adopting, the event is also Sunday, March 19 from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

MORE:

• Albuquerque Animal Welfare’s Facebook page for more information on "Pet-opoly"
• Adoptable pets on the City of Albuquerque’s website