Animal Humane has the highest pet adoption rate in New Mexico. That's because we take our job of finding the right home for homeless pets very seriously. Our full circle of care process provides adoptive pet parents with vital knowledge about their new pets. This process begins the minute homeless pets arrive on our campus—from gaining as much information from the people bringing the pet to us, to veterinary evaluations and behavior assessments. Every pet is vaccinated, microchipped, spayed/neutered and all dogs are heart worm tested. Each pet is loved and cared for on a daily basis until we find them a new forever home.

We want adopters to find your perfect match-your best pet ever. So every dog is given Safer^TM and Meet Your Match^TM testing to reveal their personality, energy level and trainability. We also provide life skills training (basic obedience) as needed. While we're a little less formal with cats, we gain a lot of knowledge about our feline residents through daily care and socialization. We make sure to pass along all information that we learn.

What to expect when adopting a pet at Animal Humane:

Step 1: In keeping with our goal to place our canine and feline residents in forever homes, we require that every adopter fill out a brief survey prior to meeting adoptable animals on our campus. It only takes a few minutes and will help us determine the best match for you. Some of our pet residents may be available for pre-adoption. Please see an adoption advisor for details

Step 2: Tour our Kennels, Cat House and Townhouses to view the pet residents available for adoption. Please take plenty of time to get acquainted with the variety of pets that are available.

Step 3: Please note the report cards on each adoptable pet's living quarters. You'll learn how they came to Animal Humane, personality traits/preferences, and other information. We're happy to discuss any of your questions or concerns, in addition to providing you resources for dog training or cat behavior.

Step 4: Once you find an animal that you'd like to adopt, please notify an adoptions advisor and complete the process by filling out any necessary forms. We ask that every family member meet their new pet prior to adoption. If there's already a dog in your home, we require that you introduce your dog with the potential pet through a supervised "Meet and Greet." This will ensure the new pet is the right fit for your family.

Step 5: After signing the adoption contract, paying the adoption fees, and going over our post-adoption programs, your new pet will be ready to go home with you. Please visit Animal Outfitters to purchase any pet food and supplies you need for a successful start to your new relationship.

Step 6: You should take your new family pet for a 'get acquainted' visit with a vet of your choosing. Our adoption department will provide you with a list of local veterinarians and help you schedule your appointment. For additional information, please call our main campus: 505.255.5523.

Meet Your Match™ (MYM)

The Meet Your Match^TM (MYM) program is designed to help you find your best pet ever the first time. Think of it as eHarmony.com, only for you and your future dog. Animal Humane profiles each dog, categorizing energy level, play preferences and other attributes. This helps you find a companion that suits your lifestyle. This initial compatibility between dog and adopter lays the foundation for the human + canine bond to develop, leading to a successful, permanent placement.

The MYM Canine-ality Adoption program has two components:

• The Canine-ality Assessment The assessment evaluates the dog's friendliness and sociability, playfulness, energy level and ability to focus, motivation and manners. The dogs are then given a color and description that identifies their personalities. Some are laid-back purple "couch potatoes," others are curious orange "busy bees," and some are action hero green "go-getter" types.

• The Dog Adopter Survey: Adopters complete the one-page survey in just a few minutes when they arrive on campus. According to the preferences noted in the survey, each adopter is assigned a color that matches a Canine-ality category. In the Kennels, adopters can look at the kennel cards to identify well-suited dogs. Adopters aren't required to choose a dog only within their color category but the Canine-ality Assessment helps adopters have realistic expectations of their new companion and be ready to help the dog adjust once they arrive home.