Tag Archives: animal services

El Paso Animal Services, the El Paso Veterinary Medical Association (EPVMA) and local veterinarians are collaborating to bring love and light through pet adoption to 23 new families in honor of the 23 victims who were killed on August 3, 2019.

Beginning August 7, all adoption fees will be waived and basic veterinary care will be sponsored for the first 23 pets that are adopted.

The memorial event, titled “The Luna Project,” is in honor of Arturo Benavides and the 22 other lives that were lost in last year’s tragic mass shooting.

“Anyone that has had a pet in their lives knows the unconditional love they bring and how they can bring a sense of peace or put a smile on your face even in the darkest of times,” Animal Services officials shared.

Luna, a former El Paso Animal Services shelter pet, found her forever home and brought the Arturo Benavides’ family some joy during a very dark time in the family’s lives.

“The Luna Project” was created so that more families can benefit from the love of a shelter pet.

The EPVMA and 13 local veterinary clinics have stepped up to sponsor basic veterinary care for one year for the first 23 pets that are adopted, to include; vaccine boosters, heartworm, flea and tick treatments and dentals.

Adopters interested in adding a new member to their family are encouraged to visit the Animal Services website to view available pets and call the Adoption Line at (915) 212-8705 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

El Paso Animal Services will also be showcasing adoptable pets on the department’s Facebook page starting at 11 a.m.

El Paso Animal Services is rolling out a new education campaign this kitten season, all in an effort to save more lives and prevent potentially fatal “kit-nappings.”

Kitnapping is when kittens are prematurely separated from their mother who is their main source of health. This often happens when residents find a litter of kittens and immediately take them away. While many would likely respond in this similar matter, thinking they are helping, they are more than likely causing more harm than good, since mother cats provide their kittens the best chance at survival.

Since 2018, more than 10,000 vulnerable kittens have entered the Animal Services Center. Of these thousands, more than 1,300 died. This tragic loss of life is largely due to kittens failing to thrive, a result of not being provided full immunity and care that a mother cat offers.

Animal Services is addressing this issue through a social campaign aimed at educating and empowering residents to “Stop the Kitnapping.”

This campaign has an online and street marketing component. Information on kitnapping, and what to do if you find kittens, will be shared on Animal Services’ social media platforms and on a special webpage.

In addition, Animal Services’ mascot CeCe the Cat will be making appearances throughout El Paso in high-traffic areas. The mascot will be joined by a street team that will share quick facts with passerby’s, informing them about kitnapping and encouraging them to be involved in El Paso’s lifesaving mission.

The goal of the campaign is to reduce the number of kittens entering the shelter and the number of kittens that died in 2019 by ten percent.

To learn more about Animal Services and the Stop the Kitnapping campaign, visit savethekittensEP.com or follow their Facebook or Twitter pages.

This Sunday, El Paso Animal Services will be offering free vaccinations and microchips to hundreds of pets at the department’s Cruzin’ Cohen Drive-Thru Vaccination/Microchip Clinic.

“This large-scale clinic will be a first-of-its-kind of event for El Paso, as Animal Services gears up to once again make it easy for owners to keep their pets healthy and safe,” officials shared via a news release.

“This unique clinic will be held at the old Cohen Stadium parking lot at the intersection of Cohen Avenue and Gateway North Boulevard. Pet owners will enter the parking lot off the Gateway North prior to Cohen Avenue.”

Officials add that this is a first-come, first-served event and services are limited to the first 300 pets. Owners will need to keep their pets in the vehicle, all dogs must be on a leash and cats must be placed in a secure carrier while visiting the clinic.

Dogs will receive a parvo/distemper vaccination, while cats will receive a feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccination, both will also be given a microchip.

No other vaccinations will be available at this drive-thru event.

WHAT:        Cruzin’ Cohen Drive-Thru Vaccination/Microchip Clinic

WHEN:        Sunday, February 9, 2020 – 8 a.m. to noon

WHERE:      Cohen Parking Lot (corner of Cohen Ave and Gateway N)  |   Cars must enter off Gateway Blvd. prior to Cohen Ave.

El Paso Animal Services will be holding a special holiday photo event with “Santa Paws” this weekend.

On Saturday, December 7th, Animal Services will be dressing their mascot Sunny as Santa, and will be taking free photos from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for guests who visit the Animal Services Center located at 5001 Fred Wilson.

The public will be able to download their photos from the El Paso Animal Services Facebook page, or visitors can take their own photos with their phones or cameras.

Photos will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In addition to the photo fun, Animal Services is accepting any pet food donations for those who want to assist the department’s new pet food pantry. This program helps families in need who may be struggling to provide for their pets.

WHO:     El Paso Animal Services

WHAT:   Free Holiday Photos with Sunny “Santa Paws”

WHEN:   Saturday, December 7, 2019  |   10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

WHERE: El Paso Animal Services Center – 5001 Fred Wilson Ave.

El Paso Animal Services officials are hoping for some holiday cheer to be shared with their many shelter pets, as the department hosts a “Hope for the Homeless” adoption campaign.

The goal of this effort is to adopt 400 homeless animals during the first two weeks of the month, December 1 through December 14.

All adoptions include the animal’s spay/neuter procedure, initial age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip and City license.

The Animal Services Center has recently seen a small decrease in its population, but despite the change in capacity, the facility continues to see a large number of animals coming through the doors.

The “Hope for the Homeless” campaign will not only focus on adoptions, but will also include a series of insightful social media posts that will provide the public a look at the number of animals that enter and leave a facility during the same two week period.

The community is not only encouraged to adopt a shelter pet this month, but Animal Services is also encouraging residents to follow the Hope for the Homeless campaign on Animal Services’ social media pages at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

WHO:     El Paso Animal Service

WHAT:   “Hope for the Homeless” adoption campaign featuring FREE adoptions on all shelter pets

WHEN:   December 1 through December 14

WHERE: El Paso Animal Services Center – 5001 Fred Wilson

              Mission Valley Adoption Center – 9068 Socorro Rd.

El Paso Animal Services has recently created a new Pet Commissary initiative aimed at assisting pet owners in need of food for their dogs or cats.

The food pantry is made possible through a $5,000 grant from Maddie’s Fund, a national animal welfare foundation.

“The Pet Commissary is one of the many ways Animal Services’ Pet Retention Program assists pet owners,” officials shared via email. “The program provides resources and educates the community in an effort to keep pets in their home rather than having owners relinquish them to the shelter.”

Pet Commissary Requirements:

To qualify for the Pet Commissary, applicants must submit proof of government assistance (ex. Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, WIC, CHIP, TANF, etc.), provide a copy of their ID with matching address, and the pet commissary application, which can be found online and at the Animal Services Center located at 5001 Fred Wilson.

Applications must be submitted in person at the Pet Retention Office or through email at pethelpline@elpasotexas.gov, subject heading: “Pet Commissary.”

Supplies are limited for this pet pantry and only one applicant per household is accepted. This initiative is another life-saving opportunity to help our community and keep pets out of the shelter thanks to our partners at Maddie’s Fund.

For residents interested in supporting El Paso Animal Services and its lifesaving efforts, the department is also accepting in-kind donations of food and pet supplies.

Donations support various initiatives to include the foster program, enrichment program, pet commissary and also provides extra comfort to shelter pets currently in our care.

Donations can be made at the Animal Services Center during normal business hours, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

For more information on the programs and services provided by El Paso Animal Services, visit them online for details.

El Paso Animal Services has seen many changes these last several years as it nears closer toward its goal of becoming a no-kill community.

To that end, Animal Services is hosting a series of “We Will Save More Pets” rallies during the next four months that will provide attendees with an in-depth overview of the department.

“The department wants residents to continue to be part of its success, and is inviting the public to learn more about Animal Services’ lifesaving efforts, including how the department is working with the community to save more pets,” officials shared via a news release.

Participants will learn all about the work being done inside the shelter, and out in neighborhoods.

In addition, a tour of the Animal Services Center will help residents learn about each Animal Services program aimed at helping pets and their owners.

MEETING DATES (6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.)

• September 19, 2019
• October 24, 2019
• November 21, 2019
• December 5, 2019

Participants must RSVP to attend. To sign-up for one the four meetings, email Animal Services at epasoutreach@elpasotexas.gov along with your preferred date that you would like to attend.

Space is limited, and slots are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

El Paso Animal Services will again take part in the national “Clear the Shelters” adoption campaign on Saturday, August 17, 2019.

During this event, Animal Services will provide free pet adoptions for all of its shelter pets.

“The department is committed to saving as many lives as possible this year by extending its adoption hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to allow adopters enough time to take part in this popular adoption event,” officials said via a news release.

Officials share that last year’s “Clear the Shelters” event spurred over 270 adoptions, and this year, El Paso Animal Services hopes to find 300 or more forever homes.

This year’s event will also feature food trucks and pet-related vendors. In addition, free adoption goodie bags will be given to the first 50 families that adopt, courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Though adoptions will be free, donations of blankets, food, and kennels are welcomed. The public is encouraged to come early to the event as our shelter pets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

WHO:             El Paso Animal Services

WHEN:          Saturday, August 17, 2019   |   11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WHERE:        El Paso Animal Services Center   |   5001 Fred Wilson Ave.

Animal Services and the Department of Information Technology have recently come together to create a unique community tool aimed at helping lost pets find their way home.

The Interactive Pet Finder Map lists the location of found and lost pets on an easy-to-use webpage and mobile EP311 app.

The new resource is expected to increase the number of pets reclaimed by their owners, while also preventing the need for pets to be taken to the shelter before being reunited.

“Every nose counts, especially as El Paso gets closer to becoming a ‘no-kill’ community,” said Paula Powell, Animal Services Director. “By keeping pets in their homes and out of the shelter, we will be able to better manage our current shelter population, which will result in more lives being saved.”

The Pet Finder Map will display where shelter animals were found in each area of the city, making it easy for residents to navigate a search of their lost pet.

In addition, owners who file a lost pet report by calling 311 will have their pets posted on the map as well. The dual function of the map will help both owners and finders on their efforts to reconnect lost pets.

“We are proud to know that the Pet Finder Map will be helping residents who are helping animals,” said Enrique Martinez, Information Technology Director.

“Animal Services presented us with this idea, and through our collaboration, we were able to design and bring this idea to fruition.”

The Pet Finder Map can be found on the Animal Services webpage or on the EP311 app, which is available for download on Apple and Android devices.

The El Paso Fire Department and El Paso Animal Services are collaborating once again to help keep pets in their home, and out of the animal shelter.

All 34 fire stations in El Paso now have the capability to assist residents who find a lost pet by scanning the animal for a microchip.

Animal Services and the Fire Department want the community to be aware of this helpful resource as the Fourth of July holiday nears, which historically marks the peak period for lost pets in the El Paso region.

Last year, more than 2,800 animals entered the Animal Services Center during the month of July.

This first-of-its-kind collaborative aims at quickly reconnecting lost pets with their owners, preventing the need to bring a lost animal to an already crowded shelter.

Animal Services provided each station with a microchip scanner, and the Fire Department trained their station personnel on how to properly scan for a chip.

With fire stations conveniently located in neighborhoods, residents now have the opportunity to easily scan a lost pet for a microchip 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In addition, residents can also scan a pet at the Safety Health Outreach Center at 5415 Trowbridge, which is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A list of all fire station locations is below, and there is another at the EPFD website and click on the “About Us” tab.

El Paso Animal Services is celebrating its fourth annual Cinco de Mayo Adoption Fiesta with free pet adoptions on all shelter pets.

The Fiesta will take place this weekend, Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5.

“The Cinco de Mayo Adoption Fiesta is always one of Animal Services’ most successful events, with hundreds of shelter pets finding their forever homes in previous years,” officials shared via an email.

All pet adoptions will include the animal’s spay/neuter procedure, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip and City license.

“We are encouraging the community to take advantage of the waived adoption fees this weekend as the kennels at the Center are beginning to fill up…spring and summer are the busy months for Animal Services as intake increases during this warmer period,” officials added.

Opportunities for community member involvement is encouraged as well, as residents can get involved by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and donating, as well as ensuring all owned pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations, have a microchip and are spayed or neutered.

For more information on El Paso Animal Services, visit us online online or in person at 5001 Fred Wilson.

WHO:          El Paso Animal Services     

WHAT:        Cinco de Mayo Adoption Fiesta featuring free pet adoptions

WHEN:        Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5  |    11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WHERE:      Animal Services Center – 5001 Fred Wilson

On Tuesday, officials with El Paso Animal Services announced their team had achieved a third month of reaching a 90% or higher live-release rate as they near their no-kill goal.

“After years of hard work from Animal Services staff, volunteers, and partners, the department is happy to announce that in February more than 90% of the animals that entered the shelter had a positive outcome for the third month,” officials shared via an email. “This is a positive indication that the department is well on its way of reaching their no-kill goal of having a yearly live-release average of 90% or more by 2020.”

To celebrate the save rate, the department is hosting a “90 by 2020” adoption event, starting Friday, March 8 through Sunday, March 10 where adoptions will be free for the first 90 pets, and just $9 for every pet thereafter.

Animal Services wants to remind the community that their involvement is important, especially with the upcoming challenges that the spring and summer months will bring.

“To support the City’s no-kill goal, the community can get involved by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and donating, as well as ensuring all owned pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations, have a microchip and are spayed or neutered,” officials added.

WHO:             El Paso Animal Services

WHAT:           “90 by 2020” Adoption Special featuring free adoptions for the first 90 pets. Every pet adopted after will have their adoption fee reduced to $9.

WHEN:           Friday, March 8 through Sunday, March 10    |   11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WHERE:         Animal Services Center  |   5001 Fred Wilson

El Paso Animal Services will be offering free microchips to the first 100 pets at the Parks & Recreation Pet Festival beginning at 9 a.m. this Saturday, February 23, at the Westside Community Park, located at 7400 High Ridge.

Animal Services officials share that they are “nearing their goal of having a 90% live-release rate of its pets in the facility, but despite this success, thousands of lost pets continue to enter the Animal Services Center every month.”

“When pet owners keep their pets in their homes, they are helping El Paso with its goal of becoming a “no-kill” community,” officials added.

For pets to receive a microchip, pet owners must bring a valid photo ID and have their pet(s) on a leash or in a crate.

Microchips will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Animal Services Animal Protection team will also be providing free microchip checks to pets that already have a microchip, to ensure microchips are updated with correct contact information.

Additional events will be held throughout the Spring. To find out when the next event, visit their website or follow them on social media.

WHO: El Paso Animal Services

WHAT: Free microchips provided to the first 100 pets to visit them at the Westside Community Park Available on a first-come, first-served basis.

WHEN: Saturday, February 23 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until all microchips are administered) WHERE: Westside Community Park 7400 High Ridge