Adopt-A-Pet: Saving lives not a goal but a mission

When Alexandria Parrella moved to Clovis after she received orders to be stationed at Cannon Air Force Base a year ago, she said she heard rumors of the city having a large “animal dumping population.” To Parrella’s horror, it seemed the rumors were closer to the truth than what she anticipated. 

“I was blown away with what I saw physically. The amount of animals every single morning as I’m driving to work that are limping, that are on the side of the road, that are dead or alive and just wandering around. It just blew my mind,” Parrella said. 

From there Parrella began to search online for what her community thought about the stray population, and she said she was disheartened to see the amount of people who were trying to rehome their pets, finding local shelters being over boarded and the stray population continuing to grow. It was then that Parrella said she knew she had to make a difference and began volunteering her time at Adopt-a-Pet Society Clovis.

Adopt-a-Pet Society Clovis is a local 501c3 non-profit animal rescue organization that started two years ago. Owner Karl Korff said the non-profit aims to make Clovis a better environment for “man’s best friend” by saving as many animal lives as possible through rescue, foster and adoption. Korff said their mission is to establish Clovis and Curry County as “no-kill” shelters. 

“We don’t have goals. We don’t believe in goals; we believe in missions. This is a mission for us,” Korff said.  

As a self-proclaimed animal lover, Parrella said she was searching for a way to help her local animal community and thus has been helping Korff with his mission for nearly a year now. Parrella is now directing an adoption event approaching this week. 

The animal rescue organization will be hosting its 15th adoption event Saturday from 8:40 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gebos in Clovis, where about 30 pets of cats and dogs will be ready to find their forever home, Parrella said. She said 10 dogs and two cats will physically be at the location for families to come interact with and possibly adopt on site as the remaining pets will have their portfolios presented to guests.  

Parrella said most of these were pets surrendered to the organization after their previous owners had signed a form to relinquish ownership and some were provided by local shelters. She said the goal is to find these animals a suitable home and that they can find a family that will give them the love and affection they deserve. 

Some of the pets will already be spayed and neutered, said Parrella, while others are put on a wait list until adoption papers will be finalized. She said there will be no need for identification at the event, but individuals who wish to adopt will be encouraged to sign up for their rabies shot and spay/neuter programs. The organization will have several tables and pets ready for families to come by and check out. 

Adoption prices:

• Dogs: $80

• Cats: $70

• Kittens: $75

• Puppies: $80

Other services:

• Cats spay: $45

• Dogs spay: $65

• Cats neuter: $35

• Dogs neuter: $60

• Rabies vaccine: $10-15

“When people come in and they are interested, we let them know you can cuddle, walk, and play with the animals. If you’re not here to adopt and you just wanna sit and need an animal cuddle, you can go ahead and do that,” Parrella said.  

She said the event will be open to everyone, even people who aren’t looking to adopt. Parrella said the event’s overall mission is to give these pets a home but to also educate the community about responsible pet ownership. 

Madison Willis writes about pets for The Eastern New Mexico News. To suggest a story or nominate a “Pet of the week,” contact her at:

[email protected]