Dead Pets & Animals
DOA Pick-up:
Animal Welfare Department (AWD) picks up deceased pets from your home, and from the roadside. If an owned pet has died owners can call 311 for AWD to come pick up the pet, or owners can bring them to either shelter location. Animals that are deceased on the roadside can be reported by calling 311 with the exact location.
When deceased roadside animals are collected the shelter staff will scan the pet for a microchip and check for a collar and tags. AWD then makes a DOA report on the pet noting its breed, gender, color, and approximate age. If identification is found AWD shelter tries to contact the owner, and the deceased animal will be held for six days. However, if microchip or tag identification is not found the deceased animal will be taken to the city landfill the same day.
Albuquerque city residents have two options for disposing their deceased pets or roadside. Animal Welfare Department accepts all cats or dogs.
Click here to see list of DOA animals that have been picked up
Option 1: Call 311
To have a deceased dog or cat picked up from your home, please call 311.
The City of Albuquerque can arrange to retrieve a deceased pet.
Deceased animal pick up times: 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 7 days a week
After-hour requests can be arranged for pick-up on the following business day.
Option 2: Drop Off
Albuquerque city residents can drop-off deceased animals to either the Eastside or the Westside Animal Welfare shelters:
Eastside Animal Shelter
8920 Lomas NE - View the East Side Shelter on a Map
Westside Animal Shelter
11800 Sunset Gardens SW - View the West Side Shelter on a Map
Deceased animals can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Animal Welfare Department would like to encourage pet owners to microchip and tag your pets. Having identification can help to locate the owner and reunite with their pet.
Anyone may bring in a dog or a cat to get a microchip and tag at either our Westside or Eastside shelters during business hours.
The cost is $15 per pet microchip. No appointment needed. For qualified low income or seniors age 50 or older, the microchipping will be free of charge.