City of Clovis awarded grant to expand animal control welfare programs
Media Release, Clovis Police Department
Clovis, New Mexico – The City of Clovis, Clovis Police Department, and Clovis Animal Control are excited to announce a new grant-funded initiative designed to increase animal welfare, reduce euthanasia numbers at the Clovis Animal Shelter, and find more displaced animals forever homes within the community.
Through the joint efforts of the New Mexico Senate Bill 57 (SB57), the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine (NMBVM), and awarded by the Animal Sheltering Committee (ASC), the City of Clovis has received $47,500 grant to be used toward the decrease of disease and overpopulation among stray dogs and cats within city limits, and reduce the subsequent number of stray and euthanized animals.
Beginning in November, the grant will allow the Clovis Animal Shelter to provide reduced adoption fees and lower the fees for required spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, and vaccinations for dogs and cats adopted from the City’s Animal Shelter for households whose combined income do not exceed 200% of the current federal poverty levels. By reducing these upfront costs, the program aims to encourage more adoptions, ensure pets begin their new lives in good health, and reduce likelihood of future animal surrender due to the financial burden that breeding and vaccination can place on families.
In addition to supporting adoption, the grant also allocates a portion of funds for the City’s ongoing trap-neuter and release program — a proven method for humanely managing feral cat populations — as well as support the City’s purchase of additional humane traps. These traps are available for public use and help to decrease overpopulation and establishment of feral cat colonies within the City.
Finally, a portion of the grant is dedicated to training for Clovis Animal Control officers and kennel staff, ensuring they are equipped with the latest skills and best practices to provide high-quality care for animals and excellent service to the community.
“The City of Clovis is grateful to the NM Veterinary Board for providing funding support toward
community efforts designed to address the health and welfare of dogs and cats in our community,” advised Mayor Michael Morris. “I am excited the Animal Shelter is quickly moving forward to utilize these funds to support their work at the shelter.”
“The grant is helping to strengthen our rehoming efforts for stray and unwanted animals,” advised Animal Control supervisor Larry Jacquez. “It will enable us to continue to improve the quality of care that Animal Control and the Animal Shelter is able to provide.”
To celebrate the grant award, the Clovis Animal Shelter will be hosting special adoption events at the 2203 E. Brady shelter on November 22nd and December 20th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
For more information about the adoption event, shelter services, or the Clovis trap-and-release program, please contact the Clovis Animal Shelter at (575) 769-7893.
