With your support, we’ve laid a strong groundwork for the future—and there is so much more to do.
The legislative process in New Mexico is never easy, especially in “short” thirty-day legislative sessions. They present very little time to get a new policy or funding passed, with a lot of competing political interests and issues vying for a finite amount of time and attention.
And while the 2024 New Mexico legislative session came to a close last week with some meaningful outcomes for animals, many more animal protection needs sadly went unaddressed.
Animal issues weren’t the only issues that weren’t given adequate attention by the Legislature this year. Many other groups fighting to try to help underserved constituents and communities were thwarted. By virtue of its very structure and makeup, the New Mexico Legislature’s work is designed to result in few results. This is often frustrating for everyone involved—citizens, advocacy groups, and legislators alike. Take a look at these stark statistics:
777 Pieces of Legislation Introduced in the 2024 Legislative Session
658 Were Substantive Policy Bills Proposing to Create New Laws or Funding
(as opposed to commemorative memorials, proposed constitutional amendments, or legislative procedural rules)
72 Substantive Policy & Funding Bills Passed the Legislature (only 11% passage rate)
0 Substantive Policy Bills Related to Animal Protection Passed
(view our legislative session tracker for details)
Nonetheless, with our unwavering resolve to powerfully represent the voice of animal advocates at the state capitol, we have an opportunity to use the momentum gained in the 30-day session to continue fighting for strong systems and support for animals in New Mexico.
But this effort needs you. Every single one of you.
We must keep working together to elevate the voices of families in need and frontline workers in animal sheltering, care, and law enforcement—to urge more legislators to listen, take seriously, and help solve challenges related to animal care and suffering in New Mexico.
Despite the temporary setbacks, the 30-day session yielded progress that absolutely matters on the ground. We worked with several determined legislators who understand that when we help protect animals from harm, we are also helping people and whole communities. We are enormously grateful for those lawmakers who helped us achieve the following:
We Built a Groundswell of Demand for Animal Welfare Infrastructure and Program Support
Working with lead bill sponsors Representative Tara Lujan and Representative Joseph Sanchez, we made tangible progress on calling for the State of New Mexico to step up in its investment in important animal welfare infrastructure and programs. Compelling in-person testimony, letters, emails, and phone calls made by supporters, shelter partners, and Tribal partners in support of the Animal Welfare Funding Act (House Bill 191) made an impact that will strengthen the issue, going forward. The desperate needs of communities struggling to address animal overpopulation and care throughout the state came through loud and clear. Increased funding and stronger systems to protect animals are a must.
We Secured Two-Year Funding for Programs to Help Animals Escape with Their Families from Domestic Abuse
It is widely recognized in abusive relationships that abusers often try to control, threaten, punish, or intimidate the targeted person by threatening or harming the animals they love. Survivors face a heartbreaking dilemma: flee to safety and leave their beloved animal(s) behind, or stay in harm’s way. Yet approximately three out of four domestic violence shelters in New Mexico don’t allow animals onsite.
That’s why Animal Protection New Mexico’s CARE program serves hundreds of animals every year, helping their humans reach safety by ensuring their animals are safe, too. But more and sustained funding is needed for the CARE program due to increased need, increased costs, and to continue to promote a growing national model in New Mexico: co-sheltering. Co-sheltering — housing people in crisis together with their companion animals in shelters — is gaining traction as a primary way forward for helping remove barriers to survivors accessing safety and healing together as a family.
Thanks to two very special legislators, Senator Brenda McKenna and Representative Linda Serrato, the state’s budget bill (House Bill 2) included $360,000 for the next two fiscal years for Children, Youth & Families’ ongoing funding of programs to provide and support temporary safe havens for animals of domestic violence victims while they transition to safety.
We Closed a Horse Slaughter Loophole in the State Meat Inspection Program
After years of attempts by animal agriculture proponents, legislation (Senate Bill 37) was set to pass to reinstate a state-level inspection program for the slaughter and sale of animal meat. While plant-based foods are a far more humane dietary option, this bill contained an especially concerning loophole allowing for a horse slaughter facility to open and operate in New Mexico.
This loophole would have undermined Congress’ current prohibition on funding of federal meat inspections of horse meat facilities/products, and it would have defied strong public and political sentiment against horse slaughter for human consumption. As many recall, the prospects of a horse slaughterhouse opening in Roswell over a decade ago caused a lot of controversy—the majority of the public opposes horse slaughter due primarily to humane and food safety concerns.
Thankfully, a slate of amazing legislators took action in committees and behind the scenes to support an amendment to the bill to close the horse slaughter loophole: Representative Micaela Lara Cadena, Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto, and Senator Mark Moores. Thanks to their action, the bill was amended to require the New Mexico Livestock Board to enact a rule that deems horse meat adulterated, which means the products could not be sold, thereby blocking any commercial prospects of a horse slaughter facility setting up shop in our state.
We Supported Funding for Animal Sheltering/Control Program Operations and Construction
It still remains to be seen what funding will be approved in the final version of the capital outlay bill once it’s signed by the Governor, but thankfully approximately $3.7 million in funding was allocated for animal shelter building projects and animal control programs in the following areas: Bernalillo County, Raton / Colfax County, Lordsburg / Hidalgo County, Gallup / McKinley County, Sandoval County, and Questa / Taos County.
While this funding will provide some urgently needed support for animal shelter and control infrastructure in certain areas, in the wake of House Bill 191’s failure to pass this year, the need for more resources and support will undoubtedly continue to grow across the state.
What’s Next?
Our work is far from over, and we will need your continued support to ensure that animals and their families remain a legislative priority. Your voice is their vote in New Mexico’s Capitol building. There is a lot to do to get ready for the next legislative session, and Animal Protection Voters can’t make progress without your support.
Will you please consider making a donation in any amount? With your help, we will build on our success and continue to fight for humane laws that keep animals and people safe.
