LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- The problem of over-population with pets is already bad enough in Dona Ana County, but things could be getting worse.

“We (Dona Ana County) are killing at least 40 healthy adoptable animals a day,” said Sherry Gara, who is the president of Dona Ana County’s Spay and Neuter Action Program.

That's an alarming number, but Gara knows a lot about numbers and that's why SNAP is the county's front line in helping fight the overwhelming pet population.

“We would have to have 30 animals for every person in the community for these animals to have a home,” said Gara.

So to fix that problem, a quota or number has been set.

“We have to do 350 (spayings/neutering) a month in order to reduce the animal population,” said Gara.

But that number is hard to reach considering it cost SNAP $26,000 a month to pay veterinarians for doing the operations. And since the program is 100 percent volunteer and nonprofit, it leaves SNAP wondering how they can survive.

“We keep going from month to month hoping we make it through,” said Gara.

With no funding, the only way SNAP does collect money to continue its operations is through donations or adoptions.

“I charge people $75 to adopt a dog to donate to SNAP,” said Gara.

At the end of the day, the numbers aren't adding up the way Gara would like them to, so she's already looking for back-up plans, but not what you would think.

“If I die, the community, the SNAP program, will get the value of my house and they'll be able to keep going for a while,” said Gara.

If you would like to learn more about SNAP in Dona Ana County check out their link in the links mentioned section of this Web site.