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Cameron Gallegos, 12, of Albuquerque pets Socks, a retriever... (Sun-News photo by Norm Dettlaff)

LAS CRUCES — Soon after taking over leadership of the city-county animal shelter, director Beth Vesco-Mock noted a problem: The shelter was housing fewer animals than its capacity, which meant more pets than necessary were being euthanized.

It was a situation she moved quickly to fix.

In a report to Doña Ana County commissioners last week, Vesco-Mock said the number of pets being housed at the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley has more than doubled.

"When I started taking count May 1, we had 212 animals housed in the shelter," she said. "Yesterday, our count was 306 dogs, and we had 268 cats. ... We have over 60 animals fostered out."

But while an animal welfare group in the county says it's pleased with the step, it's concerned Vesco-Mock's announcement about seeking a no-kill shelter has actually compounded problems. More of the public is surrendering pets to the shelter, thinking they won't be euthanized.

Michel Meunier, a member of the Humane Society of Southern New Mexico, has volunteered at the shelter since last fall. She said she has noticed a significant uptick in the number of owner-relinquished animals, compared to strays, in recent weeks.

"People are dumping their animals for every

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little thing," she said. "What the community needs to understand is that no-kill doesn't mean there's limitless space to dump your animals. You still have to be accountable for your animals."

Meunier, who works as a pet adoption counselor, said often people don't realize there are solutions for pet owners other than relinquishing their animal. For instance, she said, an animal that destructive when it's left alone can be crate-trained.

Just after her hiring was announced, Vesco-Mock addressed a combined meeting of county commissioners and city councilors, pledging to reach a no-kill goal. She said, however, that it would take time, perhaps five to seven years.

Vesco-Mock also specified that her definition of no-kill doesn't mean no animals at all will be euthanized; rather, she said it means adoptable animals won't be euthanized.

Marcia Weist, board member for the Humane Society of Southern New Mexico, called Vesco-Mock's no-kill goal "a very courageous commitment," but also said the public isn't stepping up to the plate to help Vesco-Mock achieve it.

"You can't have any community goal unless the community becomes involved," Weist said. "We need more adopters. We need more foster families, and we need more rescue" taking place.

In addition to adopting a dog or cat, Weist said, residents can volunteer in several roles, including serving as adoption counselors, walking dogs or helping match purebreed dogs to rescue organizations.

Vesco-Mock told county commissioners the stray pet intake rate is high. In May, she said, the shelter took in 1,464 animals, and it's on track to top that this month. In one instance last week, she said, 35 animals arrived on a single truck.

"You have a huge problem in this county," she said. "I know you've heard that said before, but I'm here to tell you really do have a huge problem."

Vesco-Mock also said the shelter is understaffed.

"I have less staff now than when I started because there were some staff members there that weren't there for the right reasons to work, and they are no longer there," she said.

According to Andre Moquin, human resources director for the city of Las Cruces, said six people have been fired or quit since the city and county took over control of the shelter in February.

"We've hired about four or five back," he said. "We've also used some temporary manpower at times."

In addition, Moquin said, a handful of positions, including a kennel supervisor and vet technician are currently being advertised. He said the total number of positions at the shelter could change in upcoming weeks, once a city-county agreement spelling out the governance of the facility becomes finalized.

Meunier said she bel