HEART Ordinance Violations and Enforcement - Pay Fines

Starting February 16, 2024, Animal Protection Services Officers will have the ability to issue civil citations for situations that violate the Animal Welfare Department HEART Ordinance. These offenses may be charged as either civil or criminal violations.

Animal Protection Services Officers are not required to provide a warning before issuing a citation; however, when possible, efforts are made to seek a resolution for non-violent offenses prior to issuing a fine.

When a civil violation is issued, the person will need to pay the fine, or appeal the matter, within fifteen days. Fines for civil violations are $200 for a first offense, $300 for a second, and $500 for a third or subsequent offense. The violation must be addressed, by payment or appeal, within fifteen days.

Civil Violations

To Pay a Civil Violation by Mail

Make checks out to City of Albuquerque and send the check or money order to:

8920 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112

To Pay a Civil Violation in Person

Payments can be made by check, cash or credit card.

Make payments at two Animal Welfare Department shelter locations:

Eastside shelter - 8920 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112

Westside shelter- 11800 Sunset Gardens SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121

To Appeal a Civil Violation

Contact the office of Administrative Hearings by filling out the Notice of Appeal and Request for Hearing and emailing it and a copy of your citation to [email protected] within fifteen days.

Civil violations will look like this:

Criminal Violations

If you receive a criminal violation, you will be notified of a court date by Metro Court. Penalties for criminal violations are determined by the Judge hearing the case. Metro Court Judges can issue a fine up to $500 or jail time up to 90 days or both.

Criminal Violations will look like this:

These financial penalties are intended to create awareness of the HEART Ordinance, hold pet owners accountable for their actions, and act as a deterrent to prevent unlawful behavior.

For the safety of the public and pets, please do your part by being a responsible pet owner and following animal welfare laws and ordinances.