(A) The focus of this article is the prevention of cruelty, harm, suffering, abandonment or death of animals caused by irresponsible pet owners and the criminal acts of callous individuals. Mandatory spay and neuter laws will help stop animal overpopulation.
(B) This article is also focused on assuring that the Albuquerque Animal Care Center (AACC) not only maintains exemplary standards of humane animal care, but promotes community education regarding humane animal care and the importance of spaying and neutering companion animals. It is equally important that the staff of the AACC reach out to the community in positive ways such as putting forward friendly, helpful customer service including serious efforts to reunite lost animals with their owners and facilitate successful adoptions. The AACC is charged with implementing and enforcing the “Humane and Ethical Animal Regulations and Treatment (HEART)” Ordinance. It is the duty of all AACC employees to protect all animals in Albuquerque from neglect and abuse and to protect the public from the dangers and nuisance that are possible when irresponsible owners do not take care of their animals according to the requirements set forth in this article. Many animal neglect cases can be beneficially resolved through education, mediation and counseling. The AACC shall endeavor to provide such counseling.
(C) AACC facilities are not just a series of holding pens where animals are incarcerated for doing something wrong. The AACC will humanely and compassionately care for animals housed at the AACC facilities by providing a safe haven for animals while trying to reunite lost animals with their owners or find new successful adoptive homes for the animals at AACC. The employees of AACC shall be advocates for animals.
(D) The City Council intends through this article to deter and modify the habits and conduct of irresponsible pet owners who are the source of public safety problems and the suffering of animals.
(Ord. 18-2006)