No Kill, No Limits - Just Love
No Kill, No Limits, Just Love
Truth or Consequences, NM – Five years ago, when Tara Manning joined the Truth or Consequences Animal Shelter, the idea of reaching no-kill status seemed like an impossible goal. The shelter's live release rate was around 70%, roughly the state average for municipal shelters. However, through determination, research, and community support, the shelter has now transformed into a no-kill facility, marking a tremendous milestone for animal welfare in the city.
Achieving no-kill status means that at least 90% of animals that enter the shelter leave alive—whether through adoption, return to owner, transfer to rescue organizations, or even placement in barn homes for feral cats. The shelter has carefully balanced its live release rate with medically necessary euthanasia, following strict ethical guidelines. "We are killing it as far as being no-kill this year," Manning joked, emphasizing how the shelter has come full circle in its mission.
Thanks to a grant from Best Friends Animal Society, the shelter can now provide life-saving treatments for conditions that previously led to difficult euthanasia decisions. Puppies with parvovirus and kittens needing amputations are given a fighting chance. "We save them because we see the fight in them, so we need to fight for them as well," Manning added.
While maintaining a high live release rate has been a victory, critics often raise concerns about space limitations for adoptable animals. In response, the shelter has developed strategic partnerships to ensure it can continue rescuing animals while finding forever homes.
The shelter currently collaborates with multiple rescue organizations—Project Fetch in Albuquerque, Best Friends Animal Society, and local groups like Desert Haven—to place dogs and cats in environments better suited to their needs. These partnerships allow the TorC Animal Shelter to maintain open kennels, enabling them to respond to emergencies like hoarding situations.
Two months ago, Best Friends Animal Society transported 14 dogs from the shelter, briefly leaving only two dogs in the building. Soon after, the shelter took in 13 dogs from a hoarding case, demonstrating how vital rescue networks are to sustaining no-kill operations. Similarly, Project Fetch routinely accepts between one and five animals each month, including puppies and cats that require extra medical attention or longer rehabilitation periods.
While dog-swapping between local shelters isn’t a current practice due to overcrowding, organizations like Desert Haven lend a helping hand whenever they have space. “Every time they have an open kennel or two, they rush over here to pick up some dogs,” Manning explained, crediting the importance of these relationships in giving under-socialized animals a second chance.
Aggressive dogs are also given extensive rehabilitation opportunities instead of immediate euthanasia. With patience and care, many of these animals learn to trust again, increasing their chances of adoption. One puppy recently spent seven weeks in the shelter before socialization efforts paid off, and now the dog is on its way to a rescue organization.
Fostering also plays a crucial role in the shelter’s success. One dedicated foster recently cared for eight kittens from five different litters, freeing up kennel space for other intakes. For feral cats that cannot be rehabilitated as house pets, the shelter provides an alternative—vaccinating, spaying/neutering, and placing them in barns where they serve as natural pest control.
Dogs, however, often require more intensive rehabilitation, especially when it comes to overcoming fears. In-shelter volunteers help socialize shy or fearful animals by reading to them, sitting quietly near their kennels, or simply offering treats and attention. Volunteers and staff work tirelessly to desensitize dogs to vehicle rides, ensuring smoother adoptions. Some even take dogs on car rides and reward them with cheeseburgers—helping them gain confidence in unfamiliar situations.
While the shelter has made great strides, challenges remain. "There’s no timetable for rehabilitation," Manning explained. "Some dogs take longer to learn how to trust, but we never stop trying." The shelter continues to rely on volunteers, foster families, and community support to keep its no-kill mission thriving.
Maintaining no-kill status isn’t just about shelter management—it also relies on informed pet owners. The TorC Animal Shelter is working to educate the community on responsible pet ownership, emphasizing alternatives to surrendering pets. Their redesigned web pages provide guidance on rehoming pets safely, reducing lost animal cases, and ensuring strays have proper identification.
“We tell people to microchip their pets, and if you have a tag on your dog with your phone number, it gets them home so much faster,” Manning shared. The shelter offers $20 microchips through Pet Link, ensuring pets can be easily identified and reunited with owners. The system allows owners to update their contact details online as often as needed, guaranteeing immediate notifications if their pet is found.
For those looking to make a difference, the shelter welcomes community members to adopt, foster, or volunteer. Residents may visit the shelter in person at 1101 Cedar Street, Truth or Consequences, NM, or visit the Animal Shelter’s webpage to learn how they can be part of this lifesaving journey.