PLUTO is a curious semi-feral dog who likes other dogs. With humans, hell sniff your hand through a fence, but if theres no fence, he keeps a short distance.  He is a sweet dog. While hes getting to know you, hell be fine in a secure yard with housing and hanging out with you. As you progress in your bond to each other hell make his way into living in the house with you. Hes a diamond in the rough, hes sweet. He needs a hero - a human that will commit to him and gain his confidence and bond with him.

When he was a puppy, a human poisoned his fur brother and fur grandmother. He is wary of some humans because of this. He has many dog friends - Koda and Arby of two of his bffs.

His adoption fee includes his neutering, vaccines, deworming, microchip. He was born on a reservation one and a half years ago.

We are still Covid-cautious and have specific adoption and Covid rules listed below.

Revised adoption policy
Due to Covid -19 pandemic and social distancing requirements, weve revised our adoption policy. 

First, please email (desertpawsnm@gmail.com) to inquire before you fill out the online application to see if the pet is still available. (Please do not call or text). Well send you a link to the application.

We are unable to do multi-dog/cat meetgreets or adoption events at this time or bring multiple animals to your house to choose from, so please only inquire if youre serious about adopting this particular animal. If youre just shopping around with several shelters and rescues, please let us know this. 

If your application is approved (which "could" take up to one week) then we will contact you to set up a Zoom chat or ph call to answer questions/clarify anything and set up a day/time to bring the pet to you. 

Since we cant come into the home due to Covid-19, we ask that you send us pics /video of your home/yard/living area/current pets. 

We will discuss with you about meeting your other pets. At the meeting/adoption at your house (outside) please wear a mask (as will we), keep to a properly distanced social distance and have hand sanitizer and your own leash.

We adopt locally to Abq, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, White Rock and Rio Rancho areas. No out of area adoptions inquiries please. 

The animals are fostered and our foster families like to know their fosters are happy, healthy, and cared for during their lifetime. We appreciate staying in touch periodically (just a pic, holiday card, social media, pics/videos  etc will make our work worthwhile :-))

Our volunteers and adoption board are working diligently with an overload of inquiries since Covid to match families and forever pets. Our workload on the reservations has also increased. Were sorry, but if you email us with questions that are already answered here or fill out an application that does not fit the parameters of our procedures we will not be replying to you. Thank you for your understanding on this!

Thank you - we look forward to hearing from you and having another furbaby united with a furever family!