At Santa Fe Animal Shelter, we believe that meaningful animal welfare work requires compassion, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the bond between people and pets—no matter their circumstances. That’s why we proudly believe in the mission at Street Homeless Animal Project (SHAP), a local organization working to alleviate suffering and keep unhoused people and their animals together.
We know that no single organization can solve the complex challenges of animal welfare alone. Real impact comes when local groups work together, share responsibility, and support one another in pursuit of a more compassionate future! Below, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about our approach, policies, and partnership with SHAP.
FAQs
Yes! SHAP’s mission is to alleviate suffering and keep animal/human families together. People experiencing homelessness, like many of the rest of us, find the companionship of an animal can alleviate some of the symptoms of stress and poor health. This population is at high risk of suffering post-traumatic stress, and other mental or physical issues. While they do not have the resources to obtain a trained assistance animal, the positive benefits of companionship between human and animal is undeniable.
Together, we host supply drives to collect new or gently used coats, harnesses, leashes, and other essential items that help people care for their dogs with dignity and love. We’re always inspired by how our community shows up—proving time and again that when we come together, we really can make this a better place than we found it.
Keep an eye on our events calendar for upcoming supply drives, or sign up for our newsletter HERE to stay in the loop and learn how you can help!
We follow the Adopters Welcome model from Humane World for Animals, which aims to reduce barriers and match pets with loving homes. You can view that model HERE.
We recognize that, just like in every community, there are people who do right by their animals and people who don’t. An individual’s housing status doesn’t change that.
SFAS does NOT support or condone the abuse of any animal or person. If you think an animal is being abused, we encourage you to report this behavior to Animal Services with all pertinent information. We strive to alleviate the circumstances that may result in unwanted animal neglect.
Santa Fe Animal Shelter is a private nonprofit that contracts with the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County to provide sheltering, medical care, and licensing services. As part of these agreements, the Shelter holds stray animals on behalf of the City or County during a mandatory “stray hold” period—typically four to ten days—as outlined in local ordinances. During that time, the animal is considered unclaimed property and remains under the legal custody of the City or County. While the City and County lease office space within our facility and provide some funding for contracted services, that support covers only a portion of the actual cost. The rest is made possible by generous donations and community support. We understand this shared space and process can be confusing, but legally, decisions about an animal’s outcome cannot be made by the Shelter until that hold period ends.
Under New Mexico law, animals are considered property (New Mexico Statutes Chapter 77. Animals and Livestock. Article 1. Dogs and Domesticated Animals. § 77-1-1. Dogs, cats, domesticated fowls and birds are personal property). This means ownership rights are protected, regardless of a person’s housing status. Without a court order, we cannot prevent someone from reclaiming their pet. While we recognize that animals are more than property, SFAS is legally bound to follow these laws. Through programs like CASA, we work to support both pets and their people in achieving better care and stability.
No. SFAS is not contracted to enforce animal control laws—that responsibility lies with City and County Animal Services, under the City Police and County Sheriff. By law, we must return property (including animals) to its legal owner or their authorized agent during the required hold period. Once that period ends and ownership transfers to SFAS, we can make decisions in the best interest of the animal. Our goal is always to find live outcomes that support both animals and the people in our community.
Our moral obligation is rooted in our mission to support animals, save lives, and spread compassion. We focus on addressing the root causes that prevent people from providing adequate care—not placing blame. If someone is struggling, we want to understand why and help. For example, if someone loses their job and can’t afford pet food, we’ll work to keep them and their pet together through our CASA program. Preserving that bond is almost always the best outcome for the animal—regardless of what the person’s home looks like.
Much like homelessness itself, the answer to this question is complicated and the issue difficult to resolve. When animals are brought to SFAS by City or County Animal Services, they must complete a mandatory stray hold—typically five days. During this time, the animals remain under the legal authority of those agencies. We provide care, but we cannot make final decisions until the hold period ends. Sometimes, an animal is reclaimed by an unhoused individual. While this may raise concerns, we partner with the Street Homeless Animal Project (SHAP), an organization that provides unhoused pet owners with the tools, resources, and support needed to give their animals proper care and love. Keeping pets and people together—when safe and possible—is often the most humane outcome.
Microchipping is done at the request of the owner as a reliable way to identify and track an animal’s history, including medical and behavioral care. While most owners register chips to themselves, some—especially those without a stable phone number or address—choose to list a trusted friend or representative. In Santa Fe, that often includes SHAP, which acts as a backup contact to help ensure lost pets are quickly reunited with their guardians.
As defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association,“the human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial relationship between people and animals. It’s influenced by behaviors essential to the mental, physical, and social health and wellbeing of both. The veterinarian’s role is to maximize the potential of this relationship and to promote the wellbeing of people and animals”. This bond is central to our work and helps us ensure both animals and people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
To advocate for changes in New Mexico animal protection laws, we encourage you to contact your city or county representatives directly. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Santa Fe Animal Shelter does not lobby or influence legislation. For information on current laws and enforcement, we recommend reaching out to the public relations department of the City Police or County Sheriff’s Office.
- When an unhoused individual is prevented from reclaiming their pet, the outcome is often not as simple as just letting go. Many people in this situation will seek out another animal, as there are always unclaimed and unwanted pets available. However, this often leads to additional challenges. The new animal may not be altered, which can contribute to behavior problems and increased burden on someone who may already be struggling to care for themselves and their pets. Unaltered animals can also contribute to unwanted litters and pose health risks, including the spread of diseases due to lack of vaccinations. Most importantly, this cycle of rehoming animals can discourage the individual from reaching out for help. Without access to support or resources, the new pet is likely to face the same difficulties, putting both the animal and the person at greater risk. At SFAS, our goal is to help both animals and people, but when individuals aren’t able to reclaim their pets, we face a challenging situation where we can’t provide the ongoing support they both need, often leading to worse outcomes. Below are some relevant statistics about unhoused individuals and their pets
- ASPCA “Studies have shown that people experiencing homelessness report that their pets provide a sense of responsibility and are a reason to live, reduce substance use, and motivated them to seek healthcare. Moreover, pets are viewed as a stable source of social support, companionship and security”
- 2021—A Canada-based study found that animals owned by those experiencing homelessness and housing vulnerability are generally in good health, and the characteristics and common clinical conditions seen in these pets are similar to those seen in traditionally housed pets.
- Thinking Differently About Unhoused People and Their Pets
- Dr. Kwane Stewart — a veterinarian whose nonprofit, Project Street Vet, provides medical care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness — was the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year. Dr. Kwane was a keynote speaker at the New Mexico Humane Conference this year.
- Maddie’s Fund, Supporting Unhoused People and Their Pets Webinar- we recommend starting at the 7 min mark
- Testimonial from Giving Spirit– Removing Barriers to an Animal’s Unconditional Love
While we are proud of the work we do, we recognize that the traditional animal shelter model doesn’t always serve the needs of pets belonging to unhoused individuals. For these animals, being taken from their caregiver can be an incredibly traumatic experience. Imagine being a dog who spends all day with your person—then suddenly, you’re removed from everything familiar and placed in an environment full of strangers, strange smells, and unsettling sounds. You’re taken to a shelter, where you face even more stress, unfamiliar faces, and invasive procedures. This is far from an ideal situation for any animal, and it’s especially challenging for animals who have lived with people in difficult circumstances. If an unhoused person’s pet remains in the shelter for an extended period, the stress can lead to behavioral changes that make adoption even more difficult. Unfortunately, animals who are fearful or stressed are less likely to find homes, and the need for adopters far exceeds the supply. Sadly, this often leads to higher euthanasia rates for these animals, especially if we’re unable to reunite them with their caregiver. This situation doesn’t just cause heartache for the animals and us—it also fails to address the root cause. The person is likely to get another pet, continuing the cycle of unmet needs. Without access to resources and support, the situation remains unchanged, with more unwanted pets and greater strain on the community’s animal welfare system. This is why we work closely with organizations like SHAP to help support unhoused individuals and their pets, aiming to keep them together and offer the help they need to improve their lives.
