Our Mission
Noah's Ark is a non-profit organization dedicated to help the animals of
Carlsbad and surrounding Eddy County. We strive to educate the public about
the value of spay/neuter surgery and the importance of supporting your local
animal shelter.
Did you know that every hour in the United States more than 5,000 puppies
and kittens are born, while only about 500 humans are born. In order to place
every dog or cat born into a home, each person would have to be responsible
for 10 animals. A family of four would need to care for 40 animals!
We are committed to reducing the number of unwanted pets through out Spay/Neuter
Certificate Program and out Feral Cat/Trap/Neuter/Release Program. The logic
is simple - the fewer unwanted puppies and kittens born, the fewer that will
have to be euthanized in shelters simply because they do not have a home.
Spay/Neuter Program
Noah's Ark issues 150 certificates through its Spay/Neuter Assistance Program
to help with the cost of spay/neuter surgeries for companion animals in Carlsbad and
Southern Eddy County (Loving, Otis, Malaga, unincorporated Eddy County). The certificates
may be redeemed at all local Carlsbad veterinary clinics, and will cover the basic cost of
spay/neuter surgery for companion dogs and cats, including any surgical complications at the
time of surgery such as animals in estrus, pregnant, cryptorchid, etc.
Any additional procedures, medications, and/or vaccinations requested at the time of surgery
will be the owner's responsibility and are not covered under the program. Certificates are available
while supplies last at both The Cat's Meow Thrift Store (124 S Canyon 575-885-9653 Open Hours Tues-Sat
8am-3pm) and Noah's Ark Animal Shelter (5217 Buena Vista Dr 575-885-5769 Open Hours Mon-Fri 12pm-5:30pm
and Sat 11am-4pm).
While we do not require proof of income, the program is intended to help people for whom the cost of
spay/neuter surgery presents a financial hardship. A $20 donation is requested per certificate to help with
our $250,000+ yearly vet expenses, however no one is turned away for inability to donate.
Feral Cats
Carlsbad and its outskirts are home to a large number of feral and stray cats.
Research has proven that rounding them up and euthanizing them is not only
cruel but ineffective as well. A much more sensible and humane approach is known
as TNR, or Trap, Neuter and Return. The cats are trapped, spayed or neutered,
vaccinated against rabies and ear notched for identification, then returned to
their colony. This way, we prevent many kittens and the colonies shrink naturally
over time to a manageable number.
Our volunteer trapping team is only able to trap cats with property owner's permission and agreement to
continue to feed and care for the colony. If you would like to sign up for the Feral Cat Program, would like more
information, or wish to volunteer your time, please contact Ann Brannon at 575-499-5335.
Something to think about...
Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the United States. We are
making a difference, but the progress is slow, and euthanasia is still a sad fact
of life. The workers who are responsible for euthanizing healthy animals hate it
every bit as much as the public does. Please don't put the blame on them.
Irresponsible pet owners are the ones who are ultimately responsible, and we
are doing our best to educate them and help reduce the population.
A Shelter Worker's Lament
Come with me, good boy; you're as fine as can be; You'd make a great pal for
someone like me; I can't take you home, these's no room for you there; The
best I can do is treat you with care. Come close to me, boy - all I need is your
trust; I'll hold you and soothe you, then do what I must. There's someone out there
who cast you aside; Maybe saw how you lived, but not how you died. I'm sorry
your life has to end on this day; Oh God, how I wish there was some other way.
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