HOUSE MEMORIAL 24

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Eliseo Lee Alcon

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING NEW MEXICO COUNTY MANAGERS, IN COLLABORATION WITH ANIMAL SHELTERS, ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS, TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO SAVE THE LIVES OF HEALTHY, ADOPTABLE DOGS AND CATS IN NEW MEXICO'S ANIMAL SHELTERING SYSTEM.

     WHEREAS, a worthy goal of New Mexico residents is to save the lives of all of the healthy, adoptable dogs and cats housed in the counties in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, in 2020, more than six thousand dogs and cats were killed in New Mexico animal shelters, while New Mexico saved four thousand six hundred twenty-three more animals in 2020 than in 2019, according to the best friends animal society; and

     WHEREAS, a no-kill community is generally defined as saving ninety percent or more of the cats and dogs coming through the sheltering system; and

     WHEREAS, the ultimate goal is to ensure that every shelter has the resources to save every dog and cat that can be saved; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans want to help bring about positive change for the dogs and cats in the care and possession of all county shelters in the state; and

     WHEREAS, there are positive changes that can be made to increase lifesaving at all shelters and animal welfare facilities throughout New Mexico in order to save all of the healthy, adoptable dogs and cats in the care and possession of those facilities; and

     WHEREAS, the development of a comprehensive plan to save the lives of healthy, adoptable dogs and cats in New Mexico's animal sheltering system would be worthwhile and beneficial;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexico county managers and other interested parties be requested to convene a task force to develop a comprehensive plan to save the lives of healthy, adoptable dogs and cats in New Mexico's animal sheltering system; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a goal be set to save the lives of all healthy and adoptable dogs and cats at all shelters and animal welfare facilities throughout New Mexico no later than December 31, 2025; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexico county managers work in collaboration with animal shelters, animal welfare organizations and interested individuals and organizations to develop a comprehensive plan to reach this goal and present that plan to the appropriate interim legislative committee by May 1, 2022; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the managers of New Mexico's thirty-three counties and humane society offices in New Mexico.

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