Any self-respecting animal advocate would love to be able to say “we no longer have to do this work”. But because reality dictates that animals need us there fighting for their rights on a daily basis, we‘re proud to say that we’ve been doing so now for 26 years!

What began as Sangre de Cristo Animal Protection (SdeCAP) in 1979, has now grown into Animal Protection of New Mexico, and we are getting stronger every day. SdeCAP was founded in New Mexico by a small, dedicated group of residents concerned about the unmet needs of animals. Many of you have been involved from the very beginning. Still others have joined our ranks over the years. Regardless, we’re proud of the positive change we’ve fostered, and we owe it to our loyal and committed members for sharing a common belief that animals should not be exploited for human benefit and enjoyment.

We’d like to help you go down memory lane a bit, and hope you are astonished to see what we’ve accomplished together!

(tracked through 2004)

State and Local Legislation

• Organized massive, broad-based support via the Voices Against Violence coalition to pass a state law making animal cruelty a fourth degree felony during the 1999 legislature;
• led successful efforts in 2001 to amend the felony animal cruelty law to remove a blanket exemption for animal research facilities;
• organized the Humane Horsemen Coalition in 1995, resulting in a law banning horse tripping;
• along with others, worked to pass the “Pet Sterilization Act” in 1993, requiring all animals adopted from New Mexico impounds and shelters to be sterilized;
• organized a coalition and worked to pass a statewide ban on dog fighting in 1981;
• mobilized citizens to ban cockfighting in Cibola, Grant, Sandoval counties, and in Deming;
• convinced the Santa Fe city council to approved an ordinance permitting animal control personnel to enter locked vehicles to rescue animals from hot cars.
  

Facility Closures/ Event Cancellations

• Worked for four years with In Defense of Animals to close down the Coulston Foundation, the world’s most notorious primate vivisection laboratory with over 327 chimpanzees and monkeys. Raised almost $22,000 for the care of chimpanzees, and organized volunteers and donations of chimp enrichment items. Convinced the N.M. Attorney General to investigate the Coulston Foundation’s potential misuse of funds meant for chimpanzees;
• halted a state-sponsored bison hunt on Fort Wingate, by collaborating with Indian nations and suing the Department of the Army for violating the National Environmental Policy Act;
• conducted exhaustive research and published a scathing 30-page report on the hideous conditions at Ghost Ranch Living Museum, resulting in the roadside zoo being closed down;
• convinced the Santa Fe Lions Club to stop using animal circuses as fundraisers;
• educated decision-makers about circus animal abuse, resulting in Albuquerque’s refusal to let the Sterling & Reid Circus perform at the city’s Tingley Coliseum and the Game and Fish’s denial of an entry permit for the Hawthorne Circus;
• convinced the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to cancel plans for lethal coyote “control” in the name of deer management.
  

Legal Action/Fines

• Exposed Animal Damage Control's (ADC) illegal use of poisonous M-44’s to kill coyotes, resulting in ADC being fined for violating Environmental Protection Agency rules;
• sued the Department of Energy and won release of records on the inhumane use of animals in experiments at the Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute, Kirtland Air Force Base;
• with others, pressured the U.S. Department of Agriculture to revoke the license of and levy a $200,000 fine against the King Royal Circus, for the negligent death of an elephant;
• sued mule-diving act owner Tim Rivers, calling attention to animals in entertainment.
  

Policy Changes

• Created massive statewide grassroots support for the passage of Game Commission regulations implementing the first cougar hunting quotas in New Mexico;
• paid for training and equipment so the city of Carlsbad can perform only humane euthanasia at its municipal shelter which also serves Eddy county;
• helped defeat efforts to increase state funds for killing predators, and convinced legislators to mandate no more than 75% of expenditures be used for lethal means. Convinced Albuquerque not to contract with Animal Damage Control to kill "nuisance" animals.
  

Training/Outreach/Education

• Implemented the Felony Animal Cruelty Training curriculum in 22 locations in New Mexico, to train people on implementing/enforcing the new felony animal cruelty law;
• launched the annual Milagro Awards ceremony, to recognize champions for animals;
• compiled, published and distributed New Mexico Animal Law-Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations, as well as publish updates;
• organized training delivered to 100 people on the link between animal cruelty and family violence at the District Attorneys Association’s annual conference in 2004;
• helped plan the Governor’s first annual conference on animal cruelty, including its link to family violence in 2003;
• provided curriculum support to New Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS), which now includes animal cruelty investigations in the Basic Law Enforcement Academy training for all officers, and which requires all 12 state police districts to have an assigned/ trained officer as the animal cruelty investigator;
• in conjunction with All Faiths Receiving Home, worked with the Albuquerque Police Department to implement training of police officers on the link between animal cruelty and family violence;
• continued distribution of the Kind News newsletter to thousands of New Mexico’s school children each month;
• commissioned a 2001 poll showing 81% of New Mexico residents support a ban on cockfighting;
• continued coordination/promotion/ underwriting of animal control and law enforcement training in the state;
• annual publication of Directory of Animal Services and Quick Guide;
• organized three statewide Conferences for the Animals, attended by hundreds of people.
  

• Collaborated with All Faiths Receiving Home on the CARE program, which provides emergency care for the companion animals of domestic violence victims;
• organized and incorporated No More Homeless Pets as a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating euthanasia of healthy dogs and cats in New Mexico; earlier in APNM’s history, in cooperation with veterinarians, launched reduced-fee spay/neuter and assisted veterinary care programs for animals in low-income families;
• created Animal Protection Voters, to focus on animal legislation and electoral accountability.

Continue with 2005 Accomplishments

2006 Accomplishments

Current Initiatives

Recent Accomplishments
by year:

2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001