Impact Report
2025
Thanks to the unwavering support of compassionate community members like you, along with our incredible staff and volunteers, Santa Fe Animal Shelter made a lifesaving impact on thousands of animals last year.
Tony fills up our van with donated Cat Cabins to distribute throughout the community.
Meowgical Moments
In 2025, we marked the 6th year of our volunteer-run Cozy Cat Cabin Project with Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers & Big Sisters! These cozy hideaways gave community cats the ultimate relaxation spot, safe from the harsh winter weather and scary predators.
- Our cuddliest cat weighed in at a whopping 16 lbs.!
- We launched Operation Meow with Española Humane and Felines & Friends to support the unsung heroes caring for community cat colonies across Northern New Mexico.
- 323 bottle-feeding kittens were sent to Foster Care.
Wag-Worthy Moment
2025 was full of happy tails, including this wag-worthy adoption! Khloe spent 452 days in our care, making her our longest-term resident. Her path included several foster homes, adoptions, and returns, as she waited for the right fit. We stayed committed to Khloe every step of the way, and that commitment paid off when her foster family adopted her! This is what it looks like when we refuse to give up.
Uncanny resemblance of Cecily and David Bowie’s character in the Labyrinth
Proof that New Mexico chile makes you fly: Chile the dog unleashing his magical powers and lifting his handler right off the ground
Something to Bark About!
- Our oldest adopted dog was a spry 19-year-old senior named Cecily.
- We saw record tail wags with over 11,899 k9 enrichment sessions provided by staff.
- All together, our dog walks last year covered 32.5K miles, the equivalent of walking around the Earth 1.3 times at the equator.
- The best doggo names for 2025? Chile, Beetlejuice, Leela (the one-eyed husky), and McLovin’!
Humane Education & Pet Outreach Highlights
Our volunteer-run Humane Education & Pet Outreach programs bring compassionate animal care to life in our community, from classroom lessons and shelter tours that teach kids and adults about empathy and responsible pet ownership, to our Pet Outreach teams and reading programs that bring certified therapy animals into schools, hospitals, libraries, and beyond to build confidence and connection between people and animals.
- 75 presentations, reaching over 450 students at 16 schools!
- Program leader, Tom Alexander, and long-time SFAS volunteer, was awarded the SFNM 10 Who Make a Difference Award!
- 130 library visits reached 1,430 kids, part of 60 volunteers serving 20+ community locations.
- 7 community members passed our Canine Good Citizen training and test. All of which are now volunteers a part of our Pet Outreach team!
- One of those community members is 16-year-old Bria, who is officially the youngest Canine Good Citizen dog handler in Santa Fe Animal Shelter history. Look at how happy she is alongside her certified therapy dog, Apollo.
