Gallup to take over animal shelter; ends contract with McKinley County Humane Society

The city of Gallup will soon be assuming control of the local animal shelter after terminating its contract with the McKinley County Humane Society and accusing it of substandard care, among other things.

“There has been a disregard on the society’s part for veterinary guidelines aimed at ensuring animal safety, a notable increase in euthanasia rates, and little transparency or accountability for the use of public funds the society receives,” according to a Facebook post by the city.

In response to a request for comment, the Humane Society referred the Journal to the city.

On Sept. 25, the Humane Society, which is contracted with the city, said on social media that it had to vacate the shelter at the end of October.

Five days later, the city of Gallup posted on social media that it “tried to foster a cooperative relationship between animal control and the humane society regarding the animals in the society’s care, but without success,” citing two canine parvovirus outbreaks.

It is unclear how the alleged outbreaks started, but Gallup City Manager Frank Chiapetti said 143 animals were affected.

Known as parvo, the virus attacks a dog’s white blood cells and gastrointestinal tract. In puppies, the virus can damage the heart, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“This change is intended to reduce parvo cases at the facility through greater adherence to veterinarian recommendations, which, in turn,” according to the city, “will lead to significant decrease in euthanasia, lower costs for adoptions and vaccines, new partnerships with other rescues and shelters, and increased public transparency regarding shelter operations and the use of public money...”

On Monday, the city released a transition plan regarding animal shelter operations.

“Following the contract’s termination, the city, working with the (Gallup-McKinley County) Animal Control Authority will assume responsibility for all shelter operations, including continuing intake of stray and surrendered animals, adoptions, fostering, transport, and veterinary services, and the city, the humane society, and the Animal Control Authority will endeavor to work and cooperate with one another in all such matters.”