Cross My Paws Animal Rescue recently rescued a Brussels Griffon mix named Biscotti that was found on the side of the road in Algodones (10 minutes out from Bernalillo) with two broken legs.
According to the rescue, “Today, with the help of TLC Pet Hospital, Biscotti received the surgery she needed to save both legs. She had three different fractures right at the growth plates which required three different cross pins.”
Biscotti, who is only 7 months old, was injured by an owner and abandoned. She required surgery for her legs, which came to cost $4,500. Cross My Paws Animal rescue is raising money within the community to help pay the bill.
Biscotti is seven months old and seven pounds.(Cross My Paws courtesy photo)
Cross My Paws is not the only rescue dealing with abandoned puppies, though.
According to Watermelon Mountain Ranch director Sara Heffern, the organization takes in around 1,600 dogs/cats a year from transports to animals that are found.
“The calls and the drop-off are very common. There are good people out there that find these abandoned dogs and will contact us for assistance,” she said.
Heffern says there could be a number of reasons people abandon a pet.
“It can be as simple as they are overwhelmed in their own household. Didn’t get their pets altered and then it’s an oops liter. Now there’s puppies they cannot care for and the cycle continues. It is how a lot of hoarding cases will happen; people will have the best of intentions and it gets out of control. Some folks have become homeless and they are choosing to either feed their children or feed their pets,” she said.
According to Animal Protection New Mexico, animal shelters and rescues in the state take in more than 135,000 homeless, lost and abandoned dogs and cats every year. Of those, at least 65,000 are euthanized annually.
Approximately 6.3 million animals enter shelters due to abandonment in the United States, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The state came out with several legal measures to change that for the better. Starting with its spay and neuter funding distribution in 2012, New Mexico offers several options for the unadopted pets. It also offers humane death for every shelter animal requiring euthanasia and holds high standards for shelters in New Mexico.
According to the Pet Sterilization Act, under the New Mexico Animal Cruelty Statute, all owners with pets who haven’t been sterilized must have a breeding permit issued by the state. Otherwise, pets are required to be sterilized and owners must pay a sterilization deposit to the seller.
If people wish to help Biscotti with a donation, they can call TLC Pet Hospital at 505-275-3647.
