Animal Humane New Mexico
Founded in 1965, Animal Humane New Mexico is the state’s leading private 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization, serving more than 10,000 homeless and at-risk dogs and cats each year, and providing many resources for pets and pet owners in New Mexico. We never euthanize based on age or length of stay and since 2010, have re-homed 100% of healthy pets in our care. We support every companion animal at Animal Humane with outstanding veterinary, social and emotional care, and love.
Our mission is to support and improve the lives of New Mexico’s cats and dogs through sheltering, adoptions, humane education, and veterinary services. We envision a society where every animal is treated with respect and compassion. As a private nonprofit shelter, Animal Humane New Mexico receives no city, state or federal funding; each dollar judiciously spent is earned or raised.
Val Wilson, Executive Director of Animal Humane New Mexico shares, "We are profoundly thankful to be the secondary beneficiary of the 2025 Montezuma Ball, an event that embodies the spirit of community and generosity. At Animal Humane New Mexico, we believe every pet deserves a place to belong, and with the incredible support of this historic celebration, we can continue our lifesaving work. Together, we are creating a more compassionate New Mexico—one where every pet receives love, care, and a forever home."
Funds generated through Montezuma Ball will help continue Animal Humane’s many lifesaving programs, supporting homeless dogs and cats and community pets. We are committed to safely sheltering New Mexico’s cats and dogs, connecting homeless animals with forever families, and providing basic and specialty veterinary care to every pet we serve. We bring thousands of dogs and cats from across New Mexico into our care annually through our Project Fetch Transfer Program. In the lifetime of Project Fetch, Animal Humane has transferred more than 20,000 dogs and cats from under-funded shelters and rescue organizations to assist with population management and give these animals a better chance at adoption.
Donations will additionally support Animal Humane New Mexico’s newest venture, the Pet Resource Center. Our Pet Resource Center aims to honor and uplift the human-animal bond by connecting pet owners with services, supplies, and education. This much-needed resource helps keep cats and dogs out of the shelter and in their loving homes. Programs include a Community Pet Food Pantry, Behavior Helpline, Emergency Pet Boarding for domestic violence survivors and individuals experiencing housing insecurity, access to low-cost veterinary services and training classes, Humane Education, and more. This innovative approach will foster stronger, more sustainable relationships with pet owners, while cultivating a compassionate, well-educated community dedicated to the care and welfare of animals.
Impact Story – Suki Finds Serenity
In 2016, a group of fearful puppies were found wandering on a reservation and brought to Animal Humane. As our Admissions Team attempted to interact with them, we realized these dogs had likely never been touched by humans.
One of these puppies, Suki, was much more withdrawn than her siblings, refusing to eat or even leave her kennel. To provide Suki with the one-on-one time she needed, she was sent to live with a Foster Caregiver trained in helping unsocialized animals.
After a month of work with her Foster Caregiver and our Behavior Team, Suki’s confidence had grown enough that she was adopted.
Suki lived with her person for seven wonderful years until her owner, an elderly woman, had to enter hospice care. Suki found herself leaving the quiet, calm of her home and returning to Animal Humane. Paralyzed with fear, Suki wouldn’t move from the farthest corner of her kennel. Despite her hunger, Suki wouldn’t eat.
Even after her years away, Suki reminded us of the terrified puppy we had met back in 2016.
Every animal comes to us with specific needs, and because of your support we can meet them where they are, providing them with the individualized care they deserve. Our Behavior Team sprang into action, placing her in a quiet room in our Behavior Building. Here, Suki would stay away from other dogs while building trust with our team in a one-on-one environment.
Through daily walks, consistent enrichment, and lots of hotdogs, Suki began to trust again. While still anxious, Suki was made available for adoption.
Lucky for Suki, she didn’t have to wait long.
Looking for a senior pup to live with their cats, Tenille and Eric immediately fell in love with Suki’s smile on Animal Humane’s website. “When we met her, it was her super-sweet and reserved demeanor that spoke to us,” Tenille explained. “We knew that she needed another chance in a great home with lots of love.”
In her new home, Suki lives without fear, enjoying walks around her neighborhood and playdates with her new furry family, far from the terrified puppy we met seven years before. Thank you for helping pets like Suki!
