An Australian cattle dog mix puppy adopted from the Los Alamos Animal Shelter earlier this year. Courtesy photo

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Responses to a recent online survey of the Los Alamos Animal Shelter indicate that the overwhelming majority of those who participated believe the shelter animals are being well-cared for and that the facility does a good job of meeting the community’s needs.

The survey was conducted by an ad hoc committee appointed by Los Alamos County Council to discuss future alternatives for the facility which is currently operated by Los Alamos Police Department. Although the 13-question survey was publicized in local media and available on the County website, it was only taken by 259 people.

The survey data reflects that 72 percent of respondents strongly agreed or agreed the shelter does a good job of meeting the community’s need while 10.4 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed. Some 75.7 percent strongly agreed of agreed that the shelter is clean and organized while 8.9 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed.

Eighty-one percent of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the shelter animals are cared for in a humane manner while 5.4 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed. Some 72.5 percent strongly agreed or agreed that shelter staff are helpful and courteous whereas 12 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed.

On whether the shelter is a good place to adopt an animal, 79.1 percent strongly agreed or agreed and only 4.6 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed. Some 95.3 percent strongly agreed or agreed that the shelter screens animals for safety before putting them up for adoption while only 1.4 percent or four people strongly disagreed or disagreed. Almost 97 percent strongly agreed or agreed that the shelter is adopting out animals that make good family pets whereas only 2 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed.

Almost 60 percent strongly agreed or agreed that the shelter hours to visit are convenient with 37 percent strongly disagreeing or disagreeing. Some 37 percent strongly agreed or agreed that the shelter offers a great volunteer program while 15.1 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed. The balance had no experience of the shelter’s volunteer program.

Some 81 percent strongly agreed or agreed that the shelter addresses complaints and enforces public safety when it comes to animals while 5 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed. Ninety-seven percent strongly agreed or agreed that the shelter finds lost animals and takes in strays and 1.2 percent or 3 people strongly disagreed or disagreed. More than 92 percent strongly agreed or agreed that the shelter saves animal lives whereas 2 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed.

Almost 84 percent strongly agreed or agreed the shelter educates and promotes the humane treatment of animals whereas only 2.7 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed.

Some 88.5 percent strongly agreed or agreed that the shelter quarantines animals for public safety and health and 42 percent strongly disagreed or disagreed.

LAPD Chief Dino Sgambellone told the Los Alamos Reporter he concurs that the shelter does a good job of meeting the community’s need.

“I think we have committed staff and volunteers that work very hard to ensure the animals’ basic needs are consistently met and I appreciate the community’s acknowledgement of that,” he said. “While there may ultimately be some recommendations from the ad hoc committee to the Council for additional funding and additional staff, I think this entire process has only served to reinforce the good work being done at our shelter every day.”