El Paso County Animal Welfare

06/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by tonight’s Parks After Sunset event to get their pets microchipped! 🐾

Don’t forget! The movie starts at 8:00 PM! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy Zootopia under the stars. 🎬✨

06/05/2026

🎬🐾 Parks After Sunset is going to the dogs... and we mean that in the best way! 🐾🎬
Join us TONIGHT, June 5 at Gallegos Park for a fun-filled evening featuring Zootopia, family activities, splash-down fun, and FREE pet microchipping courtesy of the El Paso County Animal Welfare Department.

📅 Friday, June 5
📍 Gallegos Park
7361 Bosque Rd. Canutillo, Tx 79835

🐶 Free microchipping available from 6:00–7:30 PM
🎥 Movie begins at 8:00 PM
✔️ First 75 pets receive a FREE microchip
✔️ Dogs must be leashed & cats must be in carriers
✔️ Bring your swimsuits, towels, blankets, and chairs!

Bring the whole family—including your fur babies—for a night under the stars! 🌟

06/03/2026

🎬🐾 Parks After Sunset is going to the dogs... and we mean that in the best way! 🐾🎬
Join us on Friday, June 5 at Gallegos Park for a fun-filled evening featuring Zootopia, family activities, splash-down fun, and FREE pet microchipping courtesy of the El Paso County Animal Welfare Department.

📅 Friday, June 5
📍 Gallegos Park
7361 Bosque Rd. Canutillo, Tx 79835

🐶 Free microchipping available from 6:00–7:30 PM
🎥 Movie begins at 8:00 PM
✔️ First 75 pets receive a FREE microchip
✔️ Dogs must be leashed & cats must be in carriers
✔️ Bring your swimsuits, towels, blankets, and chairs!

Bring the whole family—including your fur babies—for a night under the stars! 🌟

06/03/2026

June 2026 Volunteer Spotlight: Angela Lopez 🌟
This month we proudly highlight Angela Lopez, whose volunteer service with the El Paso County Animal Welfare Department’s free spay and neuter clinic reflects both heart and purpose. Angela’s hands‑on work in a clinical animal care environment has deepened her experience as she prepares for a future in veterinary medicine.

Angela’s contributions help ensure that pets across the borderland receive quality care. We are so grateful to have Angela as an essential part of our team. Thank you for your commitment, Angela!

💬 Ready to grow your skills and serve your community? Become an El Paso County Volunteer or Intern today!
www.epcountytx.gov/volunteer

06/01/2026

05/28/2026

Man Arrested for Animal Cruelty

EL PASO, TX – On May 25, 2026, at 10:15 a.m., deputies with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 13300 block of Estancia de Misiones to assist the Animal Welfare Unit with an investigation.

Upon arrival, deputies observed a medium-sized mixed-breed Pit Bull in extremely poor physical condition. The dog appeared severely malnourished, with visible ribs, spine, and hip bones. The animal was significantly underweight, lethargic, and had difficulty moving without assistance.

Deputies made contact with the owner, identified as 40-year-old Manuel Salazar Jr. Following the investigation, Salazar was taken into custody and charged with Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals. He was transported to the El Paso County Detention Facility, where he was booked on a $2,000 bond.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, El Paso County honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Today, we reflect with gratitude on the courage, service, and sacrifice of our fallen heroes.

In observance of Memorial Day, all County administrative offices and the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026.

05/22/2026

This Memorial Day, El Paso County honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country

In observance of Memorial Day, all County administrative offices and the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026.

05/12/2026

🐱Servicios gratuitos de esterilización para Gatos Comunitarios 🐈‍⬛🐈 ¡Citas solo los miércoles!
¿Hay gatos libres en la calle sin dueño en tu vecindario? ¡Estamos aquí para ayudar!

🐾 ¿Qué son los gatos comunitarios?
• Gatos que viven al aire libre y no tienen dueño
• A menudo viven en colonias
• Pueden ser ferales o semi-sociales
• A veces reciben cuidados por parte de residentes de la comunidad.

🌟 ¿Por qué son importantes los gatos de la comunidad y por qué esterilizarlos?
• 🐭 Controlan plagas de forma natural
• 📉 La esterilización disminuye la sobrepoblación
• 🐈‍⬛ Reduce el marcado de territorio (orinar), disminuye peleas entre machos y evita embarazos en hembras
• 🐱 Reduce la cantidad de gatitos en refugios, conservando recursos, aumentando adopciones y salvando vidas.

✅ Requisitos
• Solo se aceptan gatos ferales/gatos de la comunidad los miércoles
• Los gatos deben estar en trampas humanitarias (no transportadoras no jaulas)
• Un gato por trampa
• Se requiere identificación con foto
• Los formularios deben completarse antes de la cita.

🚨 ¿Encontro gatitos?
Si tienen menos de 8 semanas, déjelos donde están, probablemente la mamá está cerca. ¡No separe a las madres lactantes de sus gatitos!

💡 Recomendaciones para atrapar gatos de la comunidad
• Establezca un horario de alimentación para los gatos; esto facilita atraparlos
• Coloque periódico o cartón abajo de la trampa por dentro
• Planifique para disminuir el tiempo en la trampa
• Atrape en la noche o temprano en la mañana
• Revise las trampas al menos cada 2 horas
• Use sardinas o comida enlatada para gatos para atraerlos
• Cubra la trampa con una toalla durante el transporte para reducir el estrés
• Libere a los gatos en el mismo lugar donde fueron atrapados
• ¿Atrapo un gato y tiene la punta de la oreja derecha cortada? 😮 ¡Libérelo! Ya está esterilizado.

📍 Servicios disponibles solo para residentes del condado en:
San Elizario, Clint, Canutillo, Fabens, Tornillo, Montana Vista y Horizon (jurisdicción compartida).

05/12/2026

🐱 Free Spay/Neuter Services for Community Cats 🐈‍⬛🐈
Appointments Only on Wednesdays!
Have free-roaming outdoor cats in your neighborhood? We’re here to help!

🐾 What Are Community Cats?
• Outdoor, free-roaming cats with no owner
• Often live in colonies
• May be feral or semi-social
• Sometimes cared for by community residents.

🌟 Why Community Cats Matter & Why Spay/Neuter Them
• 🐭 Natural pest control
• 📉 TNR reduces cat overpopulation
• 🐈‍⬛ Neutered cats spray less, fight less, and females no longer get pregnant
• 🐱 Fewer kittens in shelters = more resources, higher adoption rates, and more lives saved.

✅ Requirements
• Feral/Community cats accepted Wednesdays only
• Cats must arrive in humane traps (no carriers or crates)
• One cat per trap
• Photo ID required
• Forms must be completed before your appointment.

🚨 Found Kittens?
If kittens are under 8 weeks old, leave them where they are, mom is likely nearby. Don’t separate nursing moms and kittens!

💡 Trapping Tips
• Establish a feeding schedule, it helps make trapping easier
• Line the bottom of the trap with newspaper or cardboard
• Plan ahead to minimize time in the trap
• Trap at night or early morning
• Do not leave traps unattended for more than 2 hours
• Use sardines or smelly canned cat food as bait
• Cover traps with a towel during transport to reduce stress
• Always release cats where they were trapped
• Trapped a right ear-tipped cat? 😮 Release it! As they have been already sterilized.

📍 Services available only to County residents in:
San Elizario, Clint, Canutillo, Fabens, Tornillo, Montana Vista, and Horizon (shared jurisdiction).