We adopted our Border Collie mix dog Norman aka "Norm" from Westside Animal Shelter and I'm so grateful we got him. This was my first time adopting a shelter dog on my own, although all the dogs at home I grew up with were all stray dogs that my dad usually got from some golf courses he played. The process was a bit time consuming...given COVID, the shelter could only take very limited number of people in at a time..so you'd have to sign up on a virtual/digital wait-list to be inform when your turn to go into the office was. We arrived around 2pm on a weekend...and our wait was around 1.5hours. They were definitely limited by the number of staff and I wished I knew they needed many volunteers earlier (I talked to one staff when we went in to pick up Norman after his neuter..and the staff mentioned they were 11 people short!!)..so I could stop by to help in any way I could before this adoption. We had Norman for a lil less than a week now and I was so happy with him. At first he seemed shy and timid..but he definitely made huge improvement and progress each day! With more and more days..I found he loved nature...walking..and interested in plants (he was a stray...and from his behaviors..it sermed he didn't really have much interaction with people or other dogs at home before). He's also very gentle...no barking..no aggressiveness at all. Somehow his pot training process was a cakewalk! I didn't really have to teach him much what to do and it seemed he kindda preferred to elimite outside of home anyways! I can't wait to work and spend more time with him. Thank you ABQ Animal Welfare for letting us adopt this precious dog as a new member of our family! read more

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So grateful for the knowledgeable staff that helped my fiancée and I get a sweet kitten. We were recovering from a very VERY bad experience with the East Side Animal Welfare. One that left my fiancée cut up from a cat they neglected to tell us was aggressive/skittish even when I asked. They have little cards describing their personalities, and they are filled out beyond correctly. You can tell handlers get to know these animals very well. We greatly appreciate the fast service, knowledge, and eagerness to help us find our little Tiger Lilly. read more

Westside Animal Welfare Department - Our sweet angel. - Animal Shelters Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Adopted a very sweet puppy here. She did have kennel cough but they gave her first shots, packets with info, microchipped her, and offered free vet visits. read more

Westside Animal Welfare Department - Animal Shelters Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Came to the westside Animal Shelter to Adopt a cat. I didn't have a specific cat in mind just looking. They had so many beautiful, fun, loving cats available that it was pretty hard to choose just one to take home. But we eventually found the one cat and took her home that same day. It was a very quick process getting all the paper work done. They provide you with a box to take the cat in. The people were very nice and helpful. Willing to answer questions and more! read more

Westside Animal Welfare Department - Calico Cat - Animal Shelters Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Anybody else get a pandemic pet? Okay, not true, we didn't, but as if in anticipation of the months to come, we adopted from Animal Welfare just before the scary bat flu infected the planet. It was a very unfortunate adoption where we took on a big beautiful difficult dog that we named Ivy, kept for only two weeks and returned to the westside shelter, crying, because she just wasn't going to work in our home. The whole thing's a messy, heartbreaking memory and I will speak no more about it other than to note that the gentleman who was there when I turned the dog in showed no sympathy -- I wasn't looking for empathy -- and instead seemed to believe a little shaming was an appropriate approach. It's a nice facility, the cat cages are spacious, we also adopted a cat here, who turned out to be a perfect fit for our family, even if Benny's a tad psycho. It's waaaayyyy out on the westside, so yes, pack a lunch. In the end, we found the right dog for our family at Animal Humane. I do appreciate the good work this organization does, but after many interactions with staff over many years, I have the distinct impression that Animal Welfare is terribly underfunded. read more

Very helpful and friendly staff. I had no wait and got all my questions answered. Was very happy with my service and will recommend. I'm also very appreciative of the free services they offer like this week's offer of free microchipping. read more

Westside Animal Welfare Department - Animal Shelters Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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This shelter is absolutely beautiful compared to the westside one. Most people there are very helpful. It's really clean and there are tons of loving animals that are just waiting for a nice loving home. I drive the extra 10 miles from my westside home to go here instead of the other one off sunset gardens. Pleasant workers and cute pets to look at! read more

The drive out to the Westside Animal Welfare Department can be long for some residents of Albuquerque. Some tease by saying, "Pack a lunch." if they know you are driving out there. If you love the animals, it is worth the ride. The facility is nice. There is an exercise area on the south side of the premises. The dogs are systematically given breaks, and I have witnessed the dogs utilizing this area. Plus, the workers/volunteers give the dogs enough walks. And, the kennels are clean. There are not as many cats at this location, so the few that are there do have clean holding areas. I feel sorry for the cats more that I do the dogs because I did not see a play area for the cats at this westside location. The volunteers and animal handlers deserve all five stars; all of those people were helpful with good work ethics. I like how they are kind to all living beings. That team of course are great workers (even if they are not getting paid) because they treat everyone how they would like to be treated. ON A BAD NOTE: The only reason this place lost two stars was from one of the employees at the front; she was rude, and I had to kill her with kindness -- a lot of kindness -- before she showed me an ounce of respect. How odd that she works for the city and possesses such a rotten front. She looks down on you right off the bad. Thank you for judging a book by its cover. Does she treat her coworkers like that? I hope not. So that I would not have to deal with her attitude, I requested to talk to her manager. He is much, much better (five stars for him). If in the event that you have to deal with her, ask another worker to help you, or ask to talk to the manager. The more customers need to speak with him ought to tell him to correct her. read more

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Many great fur babies. They say they close at 6 but you must get there at least before 5 to really interact with the pets. They have a cat area too just for cats. We adopted one kitty there during a five dollar adoption event! read more

Westside Animal Welfare Department - Animal Shelters Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Today we pick up our wonderful beautiful pup new addition to our family. When we went to Westside shelter I was greeted by a staff member who was very professional compassionate, one of the pups we were looking for had already been adopted, ,so staff member showed me all other avaiable pups which we were interested in as well this staff member was very nice no rushing , helpled answering all questions, we adopted her. Thank you to this staff member, and God Bless all staff members for being angels to the animals in the West side shelter. read more

This is an old shelter but the staff are genuine about the care they offer the critters. With animal control sworn & armed officers in & out of the parking lot & bldg, you would think that this might be a police service station..then you may spy the dog under their arm & reconsider. Its $80 for adoptions on pups (less than 5 months) $40 for older dogs. There is a reason for this! They want to get the older dogs out & re-homed. Older dogs succumb more readily to illness such as kennel cough then require to be put down. There are +'s to adopting an older dog; they're often housebroken already, less whiny & often know basic commands. This fee also includes the licensing, microchip, spay/neuter & shots. If you were to go on Craigslist to get a dog for free, for example, then go to the vet to alter the animal (which everyone needs to be doing to help reduce the unwanted pet populous & close to many thousands of euthanizations annually) you are going to pay much, much more. Some may say why bother? If your dog gets loose then picked up by the City. They will automatically alter the animal, chip the animal, notify you then charge you. Its the law to license your pet dog in the county; that's why. BTW cats are $10-$20..age depending. Many of the shelter's dogs are strays. The policy is to hold the animal for 4 days to see if the owner claims the animal. During this time if you happen to see a dog you would like to adopt, but its release date is not yet up, you can place a $10 priority hold. This means basically you are the owner if the original owners do not show. If you do not show up on the release day, then someone else can adopt the animal. If you change your mind you forfeit the $10 hold. There is a thirty day return policy for a refund of the fees if you decide the adoption will not workout for any reason. I have seen dogs go back just because they cannot be housebroken...which is really heartbreaking because that note is placed on their kennel card for all to see. :( For anyone with extra time on their hands, you can volunteer to take the dogs for walks. This is something I would totally do if I could, the exercise is the highlight of these sweet baby's day! ****they are closed on Mondays! Let the World beware! read more

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We've adopted 5 wonderful dogs from this shelter over the past few years. One was a hospice baby (sadly, she's gone), and one we have now, is blind. Another is a purebred Scottie, and what a terrific terrier she is! Our experience has always been that the staff is wonderful, caring, and clearly there for the sake of the animals. There are so many wonderful pets that are in need of a family. These animals are not just available at a bargain price, but in our opinion, are priceless. Please consider adoption before you buy from a breeder. There's a lot of love at the shelter, just waiting to go home with you. read more

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I've never been so humiliated.. I had to surrender my sick dog. Long story short they made me feel like I was an animal abuser that I neglected care to my dog. I left this place feeling worse than I already did. read more