Animal Humane New Mexico: Adoption and How to Help

✍️ LargestCharities Editorial Team | 📅 Last updated: June 2026

Animal Humane New Mexico, founded in 1965, is the oldest and largest private animal welfare nonprofit in the state. Based in Albuquerque, it cares for more than 10,000 dogs and cats a year, made adoption fees donation-based in 2025, and runs a donor-subsidized veterinary clinic. Here is how adoption, the clinic, and surrender work.

TypeNo-kill; largest private nonprofit in New Mexico
Founded1965
HeadquartersAlbuquerque, New Mexico
Service areaAlbuquerque metro and statewide
Websiteanimalhumanenm.org
Charity NavigatorFour stars (91%)
The backlog domain nmhumanesociety.org is no longer active. Animal Humane New Mexico (animalhumanenm.org) is the state's largest private animal welfare nonprofit. Adoption fees are now donation-based.
Donate → Volunteer

What Animal Humane New Mexico is

Founded in 1965, Animal Humane New Mexico is the oldest and largest private animal welfare nonprofit in the state. It is no-kill and limited-admission, never euthanizing for age or length of stay, and it reports a live release rate around 97 percent.

It is separate from the City of Albuquerque's municipal Animal Welfare Department, but it transfers in at-risk pets from Albuquerque, Los Ranchos, and Rio Rancho to give them a second chance. It cares for more than 10,000 dogs and cats a year across its main campus and a Westside adoption center.

Adopting a pet from Animal Humane New Mexico

In 2025 Animal Humane New Mexico made all adoption fees donation-based, so there is no fixed price; you give what you can to support the next animal. Each adoption is supported by the organization's own veterinary services, including vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter.

The adoption centers are open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Owner surrender is by appointment, with a fee of $75 for the first pet, plus $15 for each additional adult and $5 for each animal under six months.

The clinic and how to help

The donor-subsidized veterinary clinic is open to the public for affordable care, and the organization runs low-cost spay and neuter and vaccine and microchip clinics. It also offers a pet surrender and admissions program, a foster program, and humane education.

Animal Humane New Mexico holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 91 percent score. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 85-0207652.

Programs

Pet adoption

Dogs and cats, with donation-based adoption fees as of 2025.

Donor-subsidized vet clinic

Affordable veterinary care open to the public.

Low-cost spay/neuter

Surgery and vaccine and microchip clinics.

Transfers from city shelters

Brings in at-risk pets from Albuquerque-area municipal shelters.

Foster care

Temporary homes for animals not ready for adoption.

Humane education

Programs for the community.

By the numbers

Frequently asked questions

Is Animal Humane New Mexico no-kill?
Yes. It is no-kill and limited-admission, never euthanizing for age or length of stay, and reports a live release rate around 97 percent.
How much does it cost to adopt?
As of 2025, adoption fees are donation-based, so you give what you can. Adoptions are supported by the organization's veterinary services, including spay or neuter, vaccines, and a microchip.
Is it the city animal shelter?
No. The municipal shelter is the City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department. Animal Humane New Mexico transfers in at-risk pets from area municipal shelters.
How do I surrender a pet?
By appointment. The fee is $75 for the first pet, plus $15 for each additional adult and $5 for each animal under six months.
Does it offer low-cost vet care?
Yes. Its donor-subsidized veterinary clinic is open to the public, along with low-cost spay and neuter and vaccine clinics.
Is nmhumanesociety.org the right website?
No. That domain is no longer active. The state's largest private animal welfare nonprofit is Animal Humane New Mexico at animalhumanenm.org.

Sources: Animal Humane New Mexico (animalhumanenm.org) adoption and surrender pages; KRQE on the 2025 move to donation-based fees; Charity Navigator and Candid (EIN 85-0207652). Profiled because the backlog domain nmhumanesociety.org is no longer active. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Animal Humane New Mexico and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]

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