Friday, June 19, was a great day for stray animals in Dona Ana County, as more than 350 animal lovers and advocates attended the second annual HeART of Animals gala at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
Attendees bid on thousands of dollars worth of art and services, all to benefit 3 worthy animal welfare causes. Recipient organizations Humane Society of Southern New Mexico (H.S.S.N.M.), Spay Neuter Action Group (S.N.A.P.) and Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary (S.H.A.S) were all thrilled at the huge turnout of generous bidders, topping last year’s turnout by more than 100, according to Marica Weist-Hainer, with H.S.S.N.M.
Auctioned off for more than $400 was lunch for four and golf with Scott Lieberwirth, head golfing coach at New Mexico State University; canine rally lessons with Charlene Curry; and even juggling lessons, to name just a few of the services offered for auction.
“I was outbid,” said attendee Jackie Johnston, area representative for Golden Retriever Rescue of New Mexico, “but I’ll sign up anyway for those rally lessons.”
This was a win-win for auction and popular canine rally trainer Curry, who also serves the community's elderly and “special education” classes through Therapaws, which brings groups of friendly therapy dogs to visit.
It would be hard to find more loving homes for the loving services and artsy goods created and auctioned off by local greats — while attendees and all three recipient animal welfare organizations hope the event proceeds will allow stray animals to also go to loving “forever homes,” in bigger numbers this year.
Dona Ana County deposits more than 120 tons of dead cats and dogs in landfills per year, explained H.S.S.N.M. President Frank Bryce, who was horrified at a situation last week involving more than 50 dogs and puppies due to be euthanized because of court-held dogs from a recently adjudicated dog-fighting case. As these dogs were to have “sole custody” of individual cages, this would have necessitated the deaths of the 50-plus dogs and puppies then occupying those cages at the Animal Services Center of Mesilla Valley.
Publicity on the scheduled euthanization galvanized local residents, who that week adopted a record number of dogs, including many of the dogs slated to die. But this did not please some animal welfare advocates as far as “the big picture,” as many attributed the situation to poor planning on the part of city and county, who according to many attendees of Friday night’s gala, “knew this was coming and did nothing.” until a story came out in the local newspaper with a heartbreaking photo of a mother dog with her lab puppies who were about to die, to make room.
The gala made it clear that a strong presence of animal welfare advocacy in Dona Ana County exists, and that this advocacy will not rest until improvements are made in the present protocols and awareness levels of animal owners and guardians in these areas. All three organizations have non-profit 501c3 designations, which means donations are tax-deductible, and are appreciative of donations to help wih their ongoing work.
S.H.A.S. can be reached for adoption information at 575-805-5338, or visit www.safehavenanimalsanctuary.net. S.N.A.P. can be reached for free spay or neuter surgeries at 575-621-4942. H.S.S.N.M. can be reached for help with any issues with pets at 575-523-8020.