By Hannah Grover
Torrance County Animal Services has seen an increase in the number of pets entering the shelter even as staff struggles with deteriorating kennel conditions.
Danette Langdon, the animal services director, presented information to the Torrance County Commission on Feb. 12.
She said the shelter has had to euthanize animals because it does not have enough space.
Torrance County Animal Services took in 127 more animals in 2024 than it did in 2023, and that trend doesn’t show signs of declining.
In January, the animal control took in 140 animals, which Langdon said is the most it has ever taken in one month.
In 2024, the shelter also euthanized 428 animals. While most of those were euthanized for behavioral or health reasons, Langdon said some of them were euthanized to make room for other animals. At times, she said five to six dogs a day have had to be euthanized.
“Most of the places that we normally transfer animals to were not taking animals, so we had no options other than to euthanize them because of lack of space,” she said.
She said that has taken a toll on shelter staff. Langdon said if the animals are sick, such as puppies with parvo, it is easier for the staff because they can justify the euthanasia in their minds. But, when healthy, adoptable dogs are euthanized, it can be hard for the staff mentally.
Fortunately, other organizations, including nonprofits, have stepped up to help, and in January, the shelter was able to transfer 30 dogs to rescues.
Langdon said transfers are scheduled to continue on a regular basis going forward.
Langdon said the animal control division is also working with Bernalillo County, which allows Torrance County to take livestock in exchange for Bernalillo County taking cats.
While Torrance County is seeing more animals enter the shelter, the kennel conditions—particularly in the outside kennels—are deteriorating. Langdon showed pictures of areas where rust has caused large holes.
“All of the kennels have disintegration to some degree,” she said.
She said if the conditions deteriorate, some of the kennels may have to be shut down for safety reasons and that could reduce the shelter’s capacity.
It isn’t just the number of animals entering the shelter that has increased. The animal services division has also seen increased calls for service. In 2023, the animal control division received less than 500 calls for service. Last year, the division received more than 1,000 — an average of 85 calls for service monthly. These calls for service range from animals running at large to people wanting to surrender pets.
Commissioner Kevin McCall said county officials have been in discussion with state lawmakers about the possibility of creating a regional animal shelter.