Animal Welfare

Thanks to a bequest from the estate of Carla Freeman, the Santa Fe Community Foundation established the Animal Welfare Fund in 2020 to address animal welfare-related needs existing in the community.

We invited requests from organizations serving Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and/or San Miguel counties that work to improve:

• Population control • Free or low-cost spay/neuter clinics • Trap/neuter/release programs • Transportation for stray dogs/cats from overcrowded shelters to areas where they are more likely to be adopted • Reduction of the use of euthanasia as a form of population control

• Cruelty prevention • Humane education/public information • Rescue/adoption programs • Support for local and/or statewide trapping ban

• Wellbeing • Training/socializing animals with goal of re-homing • Providing emergency and preventive care • Providing food and other supplies for pets of low-income owners

• Reintroduction/conservation of native

New Mexico species

A Chance of a Lifetime

achanceofalifetime.org

Mission | To honor transformational healing between humans and horses. Our horses have the skill to mirror hope; to revive the spirit of those who have been broken by abuse, negligence, and hardship. We have the capacity to develop a heartfelt relationship with traumatized horses so they become confident, connected, and trusting. An essential part of our program is facilitating ways for these horses to interact and work with people who are likewise challenged in their personal lives. Proposal | Horses with traumatic histories have special needs. Veterinary and dietary care are first but are not the main expense. Rehabilitation and retraining these special horses may take months, and often years. Yet, each of these horses is eventually able to work with a person whose therapeutic needs are similar to the horse's. We do not match the horses and humans, but we watch with amazement each time a kindred horse and client choose each other, and begin spontaneous, compassionate healing. Noteworthy | We experience that traumatized horses who are rehabilitated have a desire to work with at-risk populations. The American Horse Council: 9.2 million horses in the United States, and 1% to 1.5% of these horses are unwanted, roughly 92,000 to 138,000 (www.horses.extension.org/ unwanted-horses). More than 43,000 New Mexicans have died from alcohol and drug overdoses in the last three decades. 1,770 alcohol-related deaths and 766 overdose deaths in 2021.

Animal Protection of New Mexico, Inc.

apnm.org

Mission | To advocate for the rights of animals by effecting systemic change, resulting in humane treatment for all animals. APNM champions pro-animal policies and provides comprehensive services to ensure companion animals, equines, captive chimpanzees and wildlife are treated with compassion and respect. APNM changes policies, laws, and infrastructure for pragmatic solutions to seemingly intractable problems involving animals. In 2022, APNM met critical needs for animals as New Mexicans fled wildfires. Proposal | Each year, we need support for our extensive animal protection programs, including educating children about humane animal care; maintaining a cruelty helpline with attendant resources; offering spay/neuter assistance; providing sanctuary for companion animals of domestic violence survivors; feeding, treating, and protecting horses and donkeys; securing sanctuary for laboratory chimpanzees; and advocating for legal protection such as prohibiting use of traps. Noteworthy | Over 70% of battered women report their abusers hurt, threatened, or killed their companion animal to control them and their children. APNM responds with the CARE program, providing boarding and veterinary services to companion animals of domestic violence survivors. Each year, more than 100,000 lost and abandoned dogs and cats are taken in by animal shelters in New Mexico. More than 20% are euthanized. APNM addresses the complex issues that lead to so many companion animals being abandoned.

Argos, A Shelter Dog Rescue

argosdogrescue.org

Mission | To rescue, provide medical care for, and successfully rehome dogs at risk of being euthanized in New Mexico shelters. Proposal | Argos is requesting funding to help with the increasing cost of veterinary care for the dogs it rescues, including spay or neuter surgery. Your gift will give these dogs a second chance in a loving home and help break the cycle of unwanted pets ending up in shelters where too many are euthanized due to overcrowding. Noteworthy | In 2017, New Mexico shelters euthanized a reported total of 16,226 dogs and cats, according to a survey conducted by Animal Protection New Mexico. Sadly, the same survey found that among shelters that collect the data, over 80% of the animals they took in had not been surgically sterilized. Argos, A Shelter Dog Rescue addresses these needs not only by rescuing dogs at risk of euthanasia, but also by spaying or neutering them at Argos’s expense.

Felines & Friends New Mexico

fandfnm.org

Mission | To promote kind and humane treatment of all animals; understanding of ownership and care of animals; early spay/neuter of all animals in an effort to reduce the number of unwanted animals euthanized in shelters. Felines and Friends New Mexico educates the public as to the health and safety benefits of early spay/neuter and provides low/no cost spay/neuter of cats and dogs. Proposal | We are seeking ongoing funding for vet care as well as basic needs such as food and litter. Noteworthy | Each year, Felines and Friends accepts dozens of cats and kittens in jeopardy of euthanasia at "high kill" shelters in Southern New Mexico. These cats always arrive in dire need of vet care. This past March, we accepted over 30 such cats, many of whom had upper respiratory infections, ringworm, panleukopenia, and even FIP [99% fatal]. We incurred extraordinary vet bills trying to give every one of these cats a second chance.

Friends of the Estancia Valley Animals

fevanimals1.org

Mission | To help reduce the number of unwanted pets in our communities by providing low-cost spay and neuter options and educate the public about the importance of spay-neuter in keeping our community pets happy and healthy. Proposal | This request for funding is to continue the one and only project of Friends of Estancia Valley Animals (FEVA), and that is to provide low cost spay and neuter veterinary services to the community of Edgewood and surrounding area. Noteworthy | In six years, if unchecked, a dog mating pair can produce 62,000 puppies. Cats can double that number. For every person born, 15 dogs and 45 cats are born. Many of these puppies and kittens are euthanized because there are not enough loving homes. Since the end of the pandemic, many animals have been returned to shelters because families have returned to normal living and "no longer have time for a pet.” Simply put, shelters are overcrowded. Spaying and neutering saves the lives of living beings.

Heart and Soul Animal Sanctuary

heartandsoulnm.org

Mission | To provide a place of refuge for neglected, abused, and abandoned animals in northern New Mexico. We provide the care necessary to rehabilitate and rehome animals and a permanent residence for those who are too traumatized or injured to be placed. All animals live in a humane, cage-free habitat. We work with schools and community groups to educate the public on humane animal care and encourage pet adoption. Our goal is a community free of cruelty toward animals. Proposal | We are seeking funds for general operations of the Sanctuary and its 200 permanent residents (dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, goats, and horses). More specifically this year, we are in need of funds to cover the cost of transporting approximately 200 puppies from shelters around the state to the Sanctuary, vaccinating and caring for them (often hand feeding them at first), socializing them, and then transporting them to no-kill shelters primarily out of state. Noteworthy | So far in 2022, we have rescued over 200 puppies, paying for vaccinations and numerous spay/ neuter surgeries. Between animal overpopulation in New Mexico and the fallout from the recent wildfires, we are running close to nearly double the number of puppies rescued this year as compared to years past.

The Horse Shelter

thehorseshelter.org

Mission | To serve as a sanctuary for New Mexico’s abandoned, abused, and neglected horses. Rescued horses will be rehabilitated and adopted out whenever possible to environments that support their well-being and future longterm care. Proposal | The Horse Shelter is requesting support of our horse training and adoption program. Many of the horses we receive are not only in poor health, but have never been handled before. Training is vital to ensure their placement into good homes. Our horses training needs range from learning to be safe around humans and easy to vet and handle, to training under saddle as a riding horse. Increased cost and changes in the job market have increased program expenses by 25%. Noteworthy | With 70–80 horses on site and 20–30 horses arriving at THS each year, it is vital we are able to address these horses’ individual training needs. This requires different skill sets and therefore several trainers. Some horses are feral/wild and need a trainer's ability to start from scratch, others from groundwork training all the way to training under saddle. Due to changes in the job market, we now bring in specialists, trailer horses to contract trainers and also have onsite training staff.

Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary

kindredspiritsnm.org

Mission | To provide loving end-of-life and hospice care to older, unwanted dogs, horses, and poultry in a serene sanctuary setting. We focus on the beauty of animals as teachers of unconditional love regardless of age or infirmity; offer education programs that promote an expanded understanding and appreciation of the aging process in our animal companions; and provide loving care and a final forever home for abandoned senior animals to live out their lives. Proposal | Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary is requesting funding for general operating support. This includes maintaining our high standards of individualized care through our Wellness Care Program, general grounds maintenance, emergency disaster planning, hiring and training qualified animal care and administrative staff, and ensuring the long term sustainability of our mission. Noteworthy | Each year, many elderly dogs, horses, and other animals are abandoned in New Mexico. The public and private shelters struggle to place and care for the more than 135,000 animals received each year (Animal Protection of New Mexico). Elderly animals are the first to be euthanized at full-to-capacity shelters since this is the primary method of handling older, sick, or problem animals considered unadoptable by the public.

New Mexico Horse Rescue at Walkin N Circles Ranch

wncr.org

Mission | To provide all rescued equines with new beginnings and productive lives with loving, adoptive families. Proposal | Since 2002, Walkin N Circles Ranch has served as a horse rescue that rehabilitates and finds homes for abandoned, abused, and neglected horses. Because of recent increased requests from other nonprofit state entities for us to take on feral horses in New Mexico, we are seeking funds to accept four of these “desocialized” equines. The cost to feed and train one horse is $2,555 per year. Overall, these horses need more specialized and consistent training to help accelerate their readiness for adoption. This funding would help pay for the care and additional training for these more challenging horses. Noteworthy | Within one year, we estimate all four of these new horses will be adopted as a direct result of the additional training hours. With only our current trainer hours, we estimate just two would be ready for adoption. We currently average 30 total adoptions per year, so this increase in adoptions of our more challenging horses would mean a 14% overall adoption increase in one year.

New Mexico Wildlife Center

newmexicowildlifecenter.org

Mission | To connect people and wildlife for an abundant tomorrow. Proposal | For more than three decades, New Mexico Wildlife Center has been providing veterinary care and rehabilitation to injured, ill, and orphaned native wildlife with a goal of releasing these animals back into the wild. General operating support allows us to continue providing care to the 800–1000 wild patients brought to us annually by the general public from across the state. NMWC provides its services free of charge and relies on the generosity of donors and grant funding to support its work. Noteworthy | NMWC is one of a very few facilities providing veterinary care and rehabilitation to native wildlife. We treat 800–1000 patients annually representing over 130 species. Common injuries include impact with cars, windows, and fences; poisoning; gunshot; cat or dog attacks; habitat disturbance or other human interference. A key part of our work is treating New Mexico’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). From 2006 through 2021, we cared for nearly 700 animals representing 24 SGCN species.

Northern New Mexico Street Homeless Animal Project Inc

nmshap.org

Mission | To alleviate suffering of companion animals living as bonded family with New Mexico’s homeless community. Since 1998, we have assisted with veterinary care (preventative and emergency), spay/neuters, food, and other essentials for these beloved companions. We strive to keep these companion animals healthy, fed, and together with their loving homeless families. SHAP is committed to being a strong advocate for both companion animals & their homeless guardians. Proposal | Your gift helps us assist the cherished companion animals of homeless citizens in northern New Mexico. People of all ages are found living on the street—their beloved animals help ease depression, loneliness, and give a sense of safety and purpose. As the only nonprofit providing this service in New Mexico, SHAP is committed to facing this challenging community crisis. A truly unique, nonprofit treasure in Santa Fe, SHAP does this life-sustaining work every day. Sometimes love has no address. Noteworthy | SHAP handles 350+ clients/calls for help each year. 27% of homeless persons have companion animals for protection, unconditional love, and to help overcome mental health disorders. 50% of our clients are youth under 21 on the street due to mental health issues, domestic violence, substance abuse, prejudice, and the economy. Many are homeless veterans or older men and women without a support system. Mental health issues remain rampant. A companion animal by their side helps in immeasurable ways.

People for Native Ecosystems

prairiedogpne.org

Mission | To protect, nurture, and maintain Santa Fe’s imperiled population of Gunnison’s Prairie Dogs as they are vital links in the native ecosystem. Proposal | Gunnison’s prairie dog is a native species threatened by habitat loss, development, and destruction. PNE's outreach program educates the public about preserving Santa Fe's native flora and fauna. Our new project will distribute a bilingual educational packet for free to 42 elementary/middle schools and three public libraries. The packet will include "The Adventures of Santa Fe Sam," an award-winning book about Santa Fe's history and the importance of its native ecosystems, as told by a prairie dog. Noteworthy | Between 1996–2003, 200 acres of prairie dog habitat were lost to development in Santa Fe. In 2004, 2,560 acres were eliminated in the nearby suburb of Eldorado. Of the 123 locations mapped in 2005 by the Prairie Dog Coalition, 66 had been eliminated by 2008. All of this despite a PNE/City ordinance passed in 2001 that was intended to stem the disappearance of prairie dogs from our region. Several colonies are still under threat today. Our goal is to save as many of the remaining colonies as possible.

Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society

sfhumanesociety.org

Mission | To support animals, save lives, spread compassion. Proposal | Since 1939, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter has been dedicated to its mission. Over the past year, our single greatest challenge has been a dramatic increase in owner surrenders from underserved pet guardians. In response, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter recently launched a new program called CASA—Community Assistance for Santa Fe's Animals —to assist local pet owners who struggle with the high cost of expenses such as vet care, medications, reclamation fees, pet food, supplies, and more. We anticipate this program will keep dozens of families together in the coming year. Noteworthy | In 2021, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter absorbed $93,850 in reclamation fees so that 964 pets could return home.

Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary

skymountainwild.org

Mission | To create healthy ecosystems for wild horses and all wildlife and to provide forever sanctuary for vulnerable mustangs where they roam free. Proposal | You are invited to join Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary in keeping wild horses free in numbers healthy for them, other wildlife, and wild lands. Sky Mountain Wild keeps mustangs healthy and free on their home range in the Carson National Forest by reducing reproduction using immunocontraception science. We also adopt into sanctuary vulnerable mustangs removed from the range elsewhere in New Mexico so that they roam free with a family band of their own for the rest of their days. Noteworthy | So far in 2022, 9443 horses have been sent to slaughter from New Mexico to Mexico (www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/al_ls635.txt). SMWHS has adopted mustangs rescued from a kill pen where they were bound for slaughter, as well as mustangs at risk when they were removed from their range. SMWHS protects the lives and freedom of wild horses by keeping them on the range via the best of immunocontraception, and by giving refuge to vulnerable mustangs.

WildEarth Guardians

wildearthguardians.org

Mission | To protect and restore the wildlife, wild places, wild rivers, and health of the American West. Our wildlife program is focused on putting an end to the trapping, snaring, and poisoning of native wildlife on public lands throughout the west and advancing non-lethal management and an overall ethic of coexistence. We envision a world where wildlife is respected and valued, a world that is sustainable for all beings. Proposal | For over 30 years, WildEarth Guardians has pursued its mission. We seek funds to support our ongoing Ending the War on Wildlife work in New Mexico. Since getting the trapping ban legislation passed last year, we have shifted gears and are currently working on legislation that would reform the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to be more science-based, equitable, and humane in its policies so that the state has an agency focused on wildlife conservation rather than solely hunting and fishing. Noteworthy | Nearly 150,000 native animals have been killed by private trappers on New Mexico public lands since 2008, along with numerous companion animals. Guardians has partnered with allies for over a decade to end trapping in New Mexico and coordinated the Trap Free New Mexico Coalition's efforts to pass legislation last year, called Roxy's Law, which bans the use of traps, snares, and poisons on New Mexico public lands. This ban went into effect in April 2022 and we continue to monitor the implementation.