Winter Warnings: Protecting Pets from Cold in Alamogordo and Otero County – Local Laws and Community Support

As winter grips southern New Mexico with dropping temperatures, snow, and high winds, concerns mount for animals left outdoors in Alamogordo and surrounding Otero County areas. Extreme cold poses serious risks, including hypothermia, frostbite, injury, or death, particularly for domestic pets unadapted to frigid conditions.

Animal Protection New Mexico (APNM) has seen a surge in calls to its Animal Cruelty Helpline from worried residents spotting animals enduring harsh weather. While many responsible owners bring pets indoors during cold snaps, neither state law nor most local rules require indoor housing. However, ordinances mandate adequate, weather-proof shelter to protect animals from the elements.

“Cold can be dangerous to our animal companions,” said Alan Edmonds, APNM’s Cruelty Response and Advocacy Director. “Areas of exposed skin such as paw pads and noses can become permanently damaged, and cold temperatures combined with wind chill put animals at risk of frostbite, hypothermia, and even freezing to death. Companion animals can suffer in temperatures uncomfortable to people, and young, senior, and shorthaired animals are particularly vulnerable. In extreme conditions, even insulated dog houses can be ineffective.”

If you’re feeling the chill, your pet likely is too—unlike wildlife, most companion animals aren’t equipped for prolonged freezing exposure.

In Alamogordo, city ordinances (Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances) prohibit leaving animals outside without proper shelter during harsh weather, including extreme cold, wind, rain, snow, or hail. Owners must provide adequate protection to safeguard animal health and prevent neglect.

In Otero County outside city limits, animal control rules require that domestic animals (excluding livestock) routinely kept outdoors have access to a structurally sound, weatherproof enclosure large enough for comfortable accommodation and protection from weather elements. Animals must also have easy access to adequate shade, shelter, food, and potable water.

Best practices include a four-sided, draft-free, insulated shelter with dry bedding (like straw), elevated off the ground, with the entrance facing away from wind—and ideally bringing animals indoors when possible.

How can you help? Report suspected neglect or cruelty right away—don’t assume someone else will; your call could save a life.

• Local Alamogordo contact: Call Alamogordo Animal Control at 575-439-4330 (2910 N Florida Avenue, Alamogordo, NM 88310). For after-hours emergencies, contact Alamogordo Police at 575-439-4300.

• Statewide/APNM: Call APNM’s Animal Cruelty Helpline at 877-5HUMANE (877-548-6263), or submit concerns via the General Contact Form at https://apnm.org/contact/.

Local media outlets KALHRadio.org and AlamogordoTownNews.org strongly supports community animal welfare efforts, forging close ties with key no-kill rescues like Animal Village NM and Kitty City to promote adoptions, spay/neuter services, and responsible pet care in Otero County.

Animal Village NM, a major no-kill rescue at 7246 Highway 54-70 in Alamogordo, combats high pet abandonment rates through rescues, low-cost spay/neuter for low-income owners, a Pet Food Bank for temporary assistance, and partnerships with groups like Best Friends Animal Society. AlamogordoTownNews.org via streaming KALHRadio.org regularly features their adoption events, success stories, and urgent needs to boost community involvement via our weekly podcasts.

Kitty City NM, a no-kill cat rescue since 2008 at 56 Danley Ranch Rd in Alamogordo, maintains a cageless indoor environment for 100-120 cats, providing full veterinary care, vaccinations, spay/neuter, and loving socialization until adoption. They partner with Alamogordo Animal Control on the Return to Field program (humanely trapping, neutering, vaccinating, and returning feral/community cats) alongside Best Friends Animal Society. The site spotlights their work to encourage adoptions, fostering, and support.

These relationships allow us to amplify rescue voices, share pet success stories, highlight statewide wins like spay/neuter grants, and urge residents to adopt, volunteer, donate, or foster—helping build a more compassionate community for animals in our high desert region.

To get involved or learn more:

• Animal Village NM: animalvillagenm.org, (575) 446-4685, or facebook.com/AnimalVillageNM.

• Kitty City NM: kittycitynm.com, (575) 430-6013 (or 575-430-1914 for Return to Field), or facebook.com/kittycitynm.

Together, through awareness, reporting, and local support, we can keep pets safe this winter and beyond.

Citations:

• City of Alamogordo Animal Control: https://ci.alamogordo.nm.us/209/Animal-Control; full ordinances at https://library.municode.com/nm/alamogordo/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH7ANCO

• Otero County Animal Control: https://ecode360.com/27130354

• Animal Protection New Mexico guidance and FAQ: https://apnm.org (including cold weather resources and helpline info)

• Animal Village NM: https://www.animalvillagenm.org/; facebook.com/AnimalVillageNM

• Kitty City NM: http://kittycitynm.com/; facebook.com/kittycitynm; Alamogordo Return to Field Program: https://ci.alamogordo.nm.us/696/Return-to-Field-Program

• Additional cold weather reporting insights from community sources and APNM materials

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