Summer 2010 Magazine

Animal Protection of New Mexico Campaigns

TRAIN. DON'T CHAIN.®

"The Public Safety and Humane Implications of Persistently Tethering Domestic Dogs" developed by Animal Protection of New Mexico (APNM) in collaboration with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety can be downloaded here.

The report provides a detailed view of the practice of chaining dogs. It discusses the problem in terms of the effect on dogs, human deaths and injuries local animal control ordinances, state and national trends in tethering laws among other issues.

APNM will develop programs to work with communities' throughout New Mexico to develop and implement plans to improve the quality of life for chained dogs by: teaching people dogs are social beings who shouldn't be isolated on chains; making behavioral training resources available; and helping people find viable alternatives to chaining.

On of their new programs is Train. Don't Chain® at www.apnm.org/chaining. Get a preview of the new public service announcement "Even Dogs Have Dreams."

EMERGENCY FEED ASSISTANCE

The Equine Protection Fund, a partnership between the New Mexico Community Foundation and APNM, created the Emergency Feed Assistance program. The program provides subsidized hay, grain and other necessary food to equines belonging to needy families for up to two months.

Emergency Feed Assistance will provide food for up to four equines for two months while a family gets back on its feet financially. Applicants must have lost a job or had a medical emergency in the past six months, as well as provide veterinary reference, have no record of animal abuse, and have a plan for how they will care for their animals after assistance has expired.

This program has helped families in Los Lunas, To'hajiilee, El Prado, Pie Town and Capitan keep their equines fed. It has fed 10 horses, 4 donkeys and 2 mules so far.

Similar programs are available to promote responsible equine stewardship in other states, but this is the first program of its kind in New Mexico.

To learn more about the Equine Protection Fund and to access the application for Emergency Feed Assistance visit their website at: EquineProtectionFund.org

Watch a video of some of the recipients of this program: