If you’re looking for the best dog rescues in New Mexico, we’ve put the following list together to provide a helping hand.
1. New Mexico Animal Friends (Albuquerque)
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico Animal Friends is a nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue organization. They rescue homeless cats and dogs and give them temporary homes in foster care until a permanent adopter can be found. They also offer community education programs to promote responsible pet ownership and help to reduce pet overpopulation with spay/neuter services.
New Mexico Animal Friends also offers medical care to the animals that enter their care, including senior dogs with health issues. Adoptable dogs can be viewed here, or you can donate to New Mexico Animal Friends here.
2. Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary (Las Cruces)
Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization based in Las Cruces, NM. Established in 1996, this group has spent the last 25 years finding loving homes for abandoned dogs and cats throughout New Mexico. They have a three-acre sanctuary where they can care for up to 35 cats and 45 dogs until their permanent homes can be found.
As well as the sanctuary, Safe Haven also runs a thrift store, where you can find thousands of items at great prices. All profits are directed to the care and support of animals at the sanctuary. If you’re interested in adopting, available dogs can be viewed here. You can also donate to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary by visiting this page.
3. Watermelon Mountain Ranch (Rio Rancho)
Watermelon Mountain Ranch was established in 1996 in Rio Rancho, NM. It is the largest no-kill animal shelter in the state and features a 10-acre facility, numerous offsite adoption centers, and several animal welfare programs to promote responsible pet ownership. The organization also features a foster program, an on-site veterinary clinic, and a retirement village for older dogs.
Watermelon Mountain Ranch rescues animals from overcrowded shelters (where they may face euthanasia) and re-homes them with loving adopters. Since the organization was founded, it has saved over 150,000 animals across New Mexico. View adoptable dogs here, or click here to donate to Watermelon Mountain Ranch.
4. NMDOG (Albuquerque)
NMDOG is a nonprofit rescue organization based in Albuquerque, NM. They rescue chained, abused, abandoned, or homeless dogs and rehabilitate them until they can be adopted into a loving home. As well as rescuing dogs, they provide support to owners in need, to help keep dogs out of the shelter system and with their families.
NMDOG is entirely run by volunteers and was established in 2010. When they rescue a dog, the animal receives a complete veterinary examination, spay/neuter surgery, complete vaccinations, work testing/treatment, and microchipping. View adoptable dogs here, or make a donation to NMDOG here.
5. Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue (Tijeras)
Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue is a dog rescue that focuses on saving older animals and those who require extra care and providing them with a safe, quiet place to live. Founded in 2008, the organization has been involved in the rescue of thousands of animals in the years since. Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue is based in Tijeras, NM, and welcomes dogs over the age of 10 years, plus other animals such as donkeys, small horses, and goats.
Many of the dogs at Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue are happy to live out their days there. However, if you are interested in adopting, you can view the available dogs here, or you can also sponsor one of the dogs to help cover the cost of their veterinary care, medications, and more. You can also make a one-time donation to Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue here.
6. ACTion Programs for Animals (Las Cruces)
ACTion Programs for Animals is a nonprofit organization based in Las Cruces, NM. Their team of dedicated volunteers has been working since 2012 and has rescued over 4600 animals. Most of these are cats and dogs from overcrowded shelters where they face the risk of euthanasia. Animals are then placed in care with foster families until they can be adopted.
As well as rescuing dogs and cats, ACTion Programs for Animals offers a range of additional services, including public advocacy for “difficult” breeds such as pit bulls and low-cost spay/neuter clinics to reduce overcrowding. They also encourage and help owners to find a different alternative to leaving their dog at a shelter. If you’re interested in adopting, available dogs can be viewed here. Visit this page to donate to ACTion Programs for Animals.
7. Bro & Tracy Animal Welfare (Rio Rancho)
Bro & Tracy Animal Welfare is a small organization based out of Rio Rancho and operates throughout western New Mexico. The nonprofit organization has been operating for over 20 years and works hard to rescue animals from shelters and adopt them into loving homes. They offer affordable spay/neuter clinics and other medical care for animals in need – they even have a mobile spay/neuter clinic that travels throughout New Mexico.
If you’re interested in adopting a dog from Bro & Tracy Animal Welfare, you can view their available dogs here. They rely heavily on donations, particularly as the cost of running a spay/neuter service for western New Mexico residents can be high. To donate to their worthy cause, visit this page.
8. Animal Village NM (Roswell)
Animal Village NM is a no-kill pet rescue organization located out of Roswell, NM, serving Otero County. They rescue animals from shelters and find loving homes for them – to date, they have saved over 1,000 cats and dogs and placed them in permanent, safe homes. They also offer assistance to low-income pet owners to reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters.
Animal Village NM has a rigorous adoption process to ensure that all animals are going to great homes. If you would like to donate to Animal Village NM, you can do so here.
9. Animal Humane NM (Albuquerque)
Animal Humane NM is an animal rescue organization based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded in 1965, it is one of the leading nonprofit animal welfare organizations in the state. They help more than 10,000 homeless or abandoned dogs and cats each year and are a dedicated no-kill facility.
Rescued animals are provided with veterinary care, emotional support, and whatever else they need prior to adoption. If you’re interested in adopting from Animal Humane NM, you can view their available dogs here. Alternatively, visit this page to donate to the organization.
“Emily is an avid writer and dog lover who usually prefers the company of pets over people. Based in Los Angeles, when not stuck in traffic she spends her days reading in the sunshine, relaxing at the beach, or planning her next adventure.”
