By Laura Bonar, APV Chief Program & Policy Officer
Monday, Feb. 20, 2017
We’re in the middle of a so-called “long” New Mexico legislative session, working day and night on legislation to help animals all over our state: working to crack down on horrific animal cruelty and neglect, secure much-need funding for low-income spay/neuter services, and ban senseless coyote killing contests, to name a few.
And we’re a month into a different era of new federal leadership that’s arguably leading the nation toward more suffering and death for animals.
Plans to weaken the Endangered Species Act; attempts by the USDA to hide public information about the treatment of animals in labs, in puppy mills, and on factory farms; denial of climate change that threatens animals and people; a vote to allow cruel trapping and denning on a wildlife refuge; and talk of building a destructive wall that will prevent natural movement and genetic health, diversity, and survival of wild species—these are all real and sickening threats to animals.
New Mexico is now menaced by increased ICE raids that bring more fear and trauma to our beautiful border state. Callous policies like these cause suffering for families who are an intrinsic part of our society, including families with animals. Our new President’s “me-first” attitude toward basic human decency and science also puts animals in peril. When humans are suffering, animals are suffering, too. Truly, we are all interconnected.
We recognize the incontrovertible link between animals and people in the daily work of Animal Protection of New Mexico, including by helping animals of domestic violence victims, teaching that builds compassion and kindness in students, responding to thousands who report animal cruelty to our hotline, and providing emergency care to horses, donkeys, and mules for families in need. Driven by repeated community requests for help and broad support for change, our work is an affirmation for most New Mexicans who abhor animal cruelty and want to see more kindness and respect.
We meet suffering and indifference with action and hope. We have decades of experience in getting stronger through loss, achieving goals people said were never possible, and creating lasting change for animals. We pledge our relentless commitment to a more compassionate world.
Will you join us? Will you pledge to act again and again for animals?
Help us fight. This democracy belongs to all of us. We must work strategically, widening the circle of compassion and racing to prevent backsliding. Volunteer, donate, stand with us.
