Even though there are immediate and demanding animal challenges right here in our Taos County, I like to profile and familiarize my readers with Animal Protection of New Mexico (APNM, apnm.org) at the first of every year. APNM is an amazing nonprofit animal organization. Its work has had a positive effect in every county, town and municipality in our state. Our Taos County and town of Taos have benefited from these programs.
Dedicated to promoting and advocating for animal rights in New Mexico, APNM has been educating and changing animal laws since 1979, effecting change working toward the humane treatment of all animals. Working with its legislative arm, Animal Protection Voters of New Mexico (apvnm.org), APNM is a major force in getting animal laws passed in the New Mexico Legislature through lobbying and working closely with our state representatives and senators and holding elected officials accountable. Taos has especially benefited from the equine protection program. I’ve provided a short list of programs here.
Next week, I will list the animal bills introduced in this 2017 New Mexico legislative session. “Animal Protection Lobby Day” is Feb. 22 in the Capitol Rotunda. Come and meet your legislators and lobby for the animals!
APNM programs
Animal cruelty
Education and laws are key elements in preventing animal cruelty and neglect. APNM has been at the forefront of promoting the laws that protect our animals. Also, cooperation and communication with our local animal control, law enforcement, animal shelter and animal rescue organizations have to be standard procedure in order to make a difference in our community. Without this mutual collaboration, there will always be a breach of effectiveness. We all have to work to make this stronger in our Taos community.
APNM provides the “Animal Cruelty Hotline,” a statewide number to report extreme cruelty. Call (877) 548-6263 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Calls will be returned within 24 hours. Calls made outside these hours will be returned within 48 hours.
When calling the cruelty hotline, speak slowly and clearly. Describe your concern. What have you witnessed? Provide the address and/or city/county in which this took place.
If you do not know the address, provide clear directions with street names and/or landmarks. Leave a number at which you can be reached.
Equine protection program, fund
The equine fund is the state’s only comprehensive equine welfare assistance program addressing the needs of New Mexico’s horses, donkeys and mules — and the people who care about them. The fund is a dedicated commitment to providing a better life so all equines can live out their lives with dignity.
The equine protection program has helped 650 equines through these lifesaving programs since 2010. To make a donation, go to equineprotectionfund.org.
Emergency feed assistance
Gelding assistance for stallions, colts and jacks preventing unwanted births is available. The program provides lifesaving veterinary care to equines relieved from situations of neglect or abuse, giving humane and compassionate end-of-life treatment for suffering equines.
Promoting coexistence
Coyotes: APNM advocates and campaigns to stop coyote killing contests in our state.
Beavers: Work with state and federal agencies and landowners to promote and utilize humane solutions to problems caused by beavers.
Cougars: Advocating against trapping and snaring proposed by the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish.
Black bears: Advocating against Department of Game & Fish for upping kill quotas, which would have an effect on bears coming out hibernation, leaving bear cubs to die.
APNM also aims to influence policymakers to enact regulations supportive of wildlife diversity and coexistence and organize New Mexicans against killing contests and trapping/poisoning of wildlife on public lands.
Chimps to sanctuary
APNM is an important and recognized organization helping chimpanzees in relocation from laboratories to sanctuaries where they live out their lives in safety and dignity. Go to retirethechimps.org and chimpstosanctuary.org for more information and stories that may make you cry!
APNM and APVNM are nonprofit animal organizations I am proud to have been working with for many years. Go to their websites to find out about all their core programs in detail. I think you will be amazed at their accomplishments that have led to a better quality of life for our animals. They are here to support you, animal shelters, rescue groups, national animal organizations and law enforcement with extensive experience and knowledge.
Contact Hernandez at taosbark@gmail.com or (575) 613-3448.
