Animal Protection Voters

All animals deserve protection from cruelty, neglect, and exploitation.

But real, lasting, systemic change for animals is only possible with strong laws on the books. And enacting these laws is not easy—it takes the tireless work of compassionate, determined, politically savvy, and well-organized advocates who will be the voice for animals in our government.

That’s where Animal Protection Voters comes in.

For years, Animal Protection Voters has been on the frontlines of changing laws to improve animals’ lives—making New Mexico’s communities more humane, safe, and compassionate for everyone.

Animal Protection Voters is a separate 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization which serves as the legislative arm of Animal Protection New Mexico.

Full Circle Advocacy

Animal Protection Voters and Animal Protection New Mexico work hand in hand to create meaningful, systemic change for animals across New Mexico.

Animal Protection Voters’ work includes evaluating candidates for elected office at the local, state, and federal levels, and endorsing those deemed to be supportive of animal protection policies in general, and APV’s priority legislation specifically. Through candidate engagement, and legislative advocacy, Animal Protection Voters helps ensure that animal protection remains a priority for policymakers and elected officials.

In turn, Animal Protection New Mexico works to ensure that laws and policies are effective on the ground through its statewide programs. The information and data gathered through these programs help identify emerging needs and policy gaps, providing valuable insight that informs Animal Protection Voters ongoing legislative and electoral work.

Together, these “two sides of the same coin” create a full circle approach to animal advocacy.

APV Victories

The following are just some of the many important new laws APV has spearheaded over the years:

• Banned grotesque coyote killing contests statewide
• Established a new sustainable and robust annual funding source for statewide low-cost spay/neuter services
• Passed a law making cockfighting illegal
• Passed a law making extreme animal cruelty a felony crime
• Passed a law banning the cruel sport of horse tripping
• Passed a law making dog fighting a fourth-degree felony
• Passed a law creating and funding a state board to oversee animal shelter and euthanasia standards
• Secured millions of dollars in state funding for animal-related capital projects and programs and services (for example, shelters and spay/neuter clinics)
• Secured significant recurring state funding for emergency housing for animals of domestic violence victims
• Successfully passed “Roxy’s Law,” state legislation to restrict traps, snares, and poisons on public lands
• Passed a law making the crime of bestiality a fourth-degree felony
• Passed a law to require the sale of only bitter antifreeze to protect animals and children from accidental and intentional poisoning
• Worked in a coalition to modernize New Mexico’s wildlife management agency
• Passed a law giving law enforcement agencies the option of requesting reimbursement by those charged with animal cruelty for the cost of care of seized animals

Animal Protection Voters is the only organization of its kind in New Mexico, dedicated solely to protecting all animals in our state, through critical legislative and political action.

Learn more about Animal Protection Voter’s work and help us do more!. Visit APV’s Website »