Proposed Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters
History of Animal Sheltering Board
In 2007, the New Mexico Legislature enacted the Animal Sheltering Services Act (“Act”) that created the Animal Sheltering Services Board (“Board”). In 2009 we passed legislation dropping the word “Services” from both the Act and the Board’s name. The Board has nine members, all appointed by the Governor, and has been meeting regularly for the past year. You will find additional information about the Board on the Board Members page.
Animal Sheltering Board’s Function Regarding Euthanasia at Animal Shelters
The Animal Sheltering Board will regulate the provision of euthanasia services at animal shelters in New Mexico beginning July 1, 2009, when the Board’s rules become effective. The Board will license euthanasia technicians and euthanasia agencies (animal shelters that perform euthanasia) and will certify euthanasia instructors who teach euthanasia technician training courses. The Board’s rules set requirements for obtaining a license or certificate and set forth duties of the licensees and certificate holders. The Board will inspect licensed euthanasia agencies, investigate complaints filed about the provision of euthanasia services at a euthanasia agency, hold hearings on complaints as needed, and take disciplinary action as appropriate for violations of the Animal Sheltering Act or the rules under the Act.
Rules Overview
The Act authorizes the Board to regulate the field of euthanasia services performed at animal shelters in the state, specifically by licensing euthanasia providers, euthanasia agencies and euthanasia instructors. The Board adopted its rules at meeting subsequent to its public rule hearing on May 6, 2009. The rules and the Animal Sheltering Act are on the Rules and Law page.
The rules will become effective on July 1, 2009. Euthanasia agencies and euthanasia providers will have until January 1, 2010 to be licensed by the Board. The proposed rules contain the details of the requirements for obtaining a license, as well as information about what types of euthanasia procedures will be legal and what standards must be followed for performing euthanasia.
Other Functions of the Board
The Act also authorizes the Board to develop recommended shelter standards for infrastructure and operations and to address companion animal overpopulation and spay/neuter programs. The Board will begin working on those issues once the euthanasia rules are in effect. Note that the standards for shelters will be recommended, not mandatory. The Board will not, unless its enabling legislation is changed, have the authority to enforce the recommended standards. The Board does not accept complaints about shelter standards because of this lack of authority.
The Board plans to provide detailed information on this website that will be helpful to shelters, particularly with respect to complying with the euthanasia rules. We hope that you find the site to be a good resource.
Join our e-mail notification list
Click here to be put on the e-mail notification list of the Animal Sheltering Services Board. In your e-mail request, please tell us your name, e-mail address, and affiliation (shelter, rescue group, veterinarian, member of the public, etc.) We will send you meeting notices and agendas, plus occasional updates and news from the Board.
