Bernalillo County approves $4.9 million for new pet adoption center

Bernalillo County commissioners approved $4.9 million to turn the former VCA Animal Hospital at 9901 Montgomery Blvd. NE into a new pet adoption and education center, a move aimed at easing pressure on a shelter system that is handling far more animals than it was built for. The county’s existing Animal Care and Resource Center at 3001 Second St. SW was designed for about 2,500 animals a year, but officials say it now receives about 300 animals a day and more than 6,500 annually.

The new Northeast Heights site is meant to solve a familiar shelter problem: animals can get lost in a noisy, crowded building where stress works against adoption. County officials say the separate center should give adoptable animals a calmer, more visitor-friendly setting while keeping the South Valley shelter focused on intake, treatment and daily care. The current shelter already runs adoption viewing hours, volunteer and foster programs, and free vaccine and microchip clinics every other Wednesday for eligible residents, but county leaders say those services are being stretched by demand.

The county expects to close on the $2 million purchase of the long-vacant property by the end of June 2026. Commissioners voted 4-0 to authorize the renovation spending, with Commissioner Eric Olivas excused. The June 9 agenda item tied the money to critical infrastructure upgrades, future construction services and possible change orders for the full building.

Officials say the project will not be a bare-bones kennel. Plans call for animal housing, group play areas, veterinary medical space, offices, indoor and outdoor play areas, a reception area, ample parking, storage, public education space and room for future revenue-generating opportunities. The county also says the move would help revitalize a blighted property along the Montgomery corridor that has been empty for about two years.

County leaders are framing the new center as an accountability test, not just a ribbon-cutting. Success will depend on whether the Northeast Heights location makes adoptions easier, brings low- or no-cost veterinary services and education programs closer to residents, expands volunteer opportunities and relieves crowding at the South Valley facility. With more than 676,000 residents, Bernalillo County is betting that a second, more public-facing site will better match the scale of the need.