The Second Session of the 57th Legislature

January 2-16, 2026: Legislation may be prefiled
January 20: Opening day (noon)
February 4: Deadline for introduction
February 19: Session ends (noon)
March 11: Legislation not acted upon by governor is pocket vetoed
May 20: Effective date of legislation not a general appropriation bill or a bill carrying an emergency clause or other specified date

BlueSky Profile

NM Livestock Board Approves Funds for State Equine Shelters

Senate News & Op-Eds

Contact: Erika Martinez
(505) 986-4819
Erika.Martinez@nmlegis.gov

or

Phil Carter
(505) 967-5297
phil@apvnm.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2014

 NM Livestock Board Approves Funds for State Equine Shelters
Bill Sponsor Senator George Muñoz Says Funding will Lead to Better Care for Animals and Safer NM Roads

Santa Fe, NM – On December 4, the New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB) unanimously approved recommendations made by a committee including staff members of NMLB and Animal Protection Voters of New Mexico (APVNM) to allocate the Horse Shelter Rescue Fund to the state’s licensed equine shelters. This fund was created in 2013 to financially support the animal welfare organizations that care for needy horses, donkeys, and mules. Senator George Muñoz (D-4- Cibola, McKinley & San Juan) sponsored the legislation, which led to a $250,000 appropriation by the state legislature in 2014.

“The quality of life for horses in the licensed rescues is a key aspect of animal welfare in our state and is too far often overlooked,” Sen. Munoz said. “I’m proud to see these funds being used and am excited to see the benefits that come from this.”

According to APVNM, each of the state’s licensed equine rescue facilities applied for the available funding in October, with requests ranging from offsetting feed costs to implementing improvements in care, rehabilitation, and adoption for resident animals. Acting upon recommendations to review applications, NMLB disbursed portions of the fund to all of the applying organizations.

“Abandoned and homeless horses are a risk to public safety by having access to roads, which can eventually lead to automobile accidents. By providing better facilities to keep and care for these animals, we can improve safety for motorists in our state,” Sen. Munoz added.

According to APVNM, in addition to the state money allocated by the legislature, the Horse Shelter Rescue Fund is funded by voluntary donations, which include a voluntary income tax contribution program found on the state’s PIT-D tax form.

For more information on the Horse Shelter Rescue Fund, please contact APVNM at (505) 265-2322 or info@apvnm.org.

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