All adopters have to go thru in-person animal meets and greets and counseling with us; application is then filled out and reviewed. If all looks good and it's a good match, most animals go home the same day. We conduct meets and greets with resident dogs overseen by our dog handlers/trainers. Our adoption fees are $50 for cats/kittens; $75 for our PAWS (trained) dogs; and $100 for small dogs. And we offer lots of post-adoption support for any issues that may arise, questions, etc. If warranted, we reserve the right to do home checks.
ACTion Programs for Animals
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Physical Shelter
Type:
Rescue
Phone:
Email:
Hours:
We are also available by appointment.
Website:
Official Participant · 2026
Help Us Clear the Shelters
ACTion Programs for Animals is joining NBC & Telemundo's Clear The Shelters — the nationwide adoption campaign that's helped more than one million pets find homes since 2015. Adoption specials run all August long — our event page has the details, in-person event days, and the pets waiting to meet you.
Adoption specials all August
In-person days: Aug 1, 8 & 29
Our Mission
Our mission is to offer lifesaving programs and services to rescue at-risk companion animals in Doña Ana County and support people and their pets in living healthy and happy lives together. We envision a time when all companion animals in our community are treated with respect and kindness.
About Us
We run the APA Adoption Center and the Second Chance Thrift Store. Our adoption center is a shelter where we house and care for up to 100 animals 24/7/365. We rescue primarily from our municipal shelter for certain populations but also take in some animals from the public.
Services We Offer
Adoptions, Fostering Program, Medical Care, Training/Behavior, Animal Rescue/Transport, Public Education, Volunteer Program
Adoption Process
How to Meet Our Pets
Come by during our open hours or contact us to set up an appointment if you can't make it those days/times.
Special Programs & Areas Served
Special Programs: We run our pilot program still - our Pet Food Bank. We run the local prison dog training program in partnership with the Southern NM Correctional Facility called P.A.W.S. (Prisoners and Animals Working Toward Success) We run a dedicated ringworm ward to save the most at-risk felines from our municipal shelter.
Areas Served: Las Cruces, NM Dona Ana County, NM
Our Facility
