EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso Animal Services is warning residents against illegal pet breeding within city limits. Alberto Ortiz, operations supervisor with El Paso Animal Services, said there are no registered animal breeders in the city. "They might get a certificate or two from the AKC, but that doesn't make them a certified breeder within the City of El Paso," Ortiz said. Ortiz adds that breeders often use social media, post flyers around the city, or even go to shopping centers to sell animals illegally. “Our units are out there to almost 24/7, 365. We do tend to focus a little bit more on the shopping centers, social media posts, you know, the elitist. One from one post to another to another reader to another seller. And after a little bit of homework, and putting the pieces of the puzzle together, we have an idea of which shopping centers to hit up. What time of the day," he said. Officials add that breeding can lead to health issues for the animal giving birth to these litters. These pets can cost thousands of dollars and often lack the proper vaccinations and are not always spayed or neutered which may contribute to overpopulation at the shelters.  El Paso Animal Services encourages the public to adopt from shelters and rescues where the animals are already spayed or neutered and have the necessary vaccinations.