GRANTS, N.M. - Following the recent flooding and state of emergency declared by the City of Grants, Best Friends Animal Society and the Santa Fe Animal Shelter worked together to transfer 22 animals from the City of Grants Animal Care Center.
Madison Martinez, the Grants Animal Care Center director, explained that the coordinated transfer took place overnight between Oct 24 and 25 and included 17 adult dogs, 10 puppies, and 6 cats. “This transfer will enable us to properly accommodate any emergency intakes due to the flooding that happened throughout the county,” Madison Martinez explained.
Prior to the emergency, the local shelter had experienced a decrease in adoptions. Due to this, many of the adult dogs transferred in the group had already been at the Grants facility for more than 30 days.
The animals were relocated through a multi-organizational effort. Some traveled to Santa Fe Animal Shelter, while others were transported to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. “This coordinated effort is a great example of how animal welfare organizations can work together to support communities during emergencies while also creating opportunities for animals who have been waiting for homes,” Martinez stated.
However, this situation raised concerns regarding the small amount of staff and volunteers. “Community support is essential during disasters and emergencies,” Martinez explained. They need to set up temporary crates and kennels, as well as be able to care for more animals if the flood led to that. “Volunteers can make an enormous difference in these situations, and having short-term or emergency foster homes available would also greatly increase our ability to take in displaced animals on short notice,” Martinez said.
Grants Animal Care Center offers temporary pet housing for up to two weeks to community members displaced by the flooding. “The Animal Care Center is here to help,” Martinez added. “If you need resources or assistance for your pet, please reach out to us… No one should have to navigate an emergency alone, and we want to do what we can to help keep both people and their pets safe.”