New Mexico Veterans for Pets

We are a mission-driven nonprofit founded and operated by veterans, caregivers, and animal welfare advocates who believe in the transformative power of service—especially when service is rooted in compassion. Our leadership team includes decorated veterans, experienced administrators, a licensed veterinarian, and professional groomers who work side by side with the people we serve. Our home base in Albuquerque’s International District—one of the most economically challenged neighborhoods in the state—is more than a facility. It’s a sanctuary. It’s a training ground. It’s a place where second chances begin. We partner with organizations like Albuquerque Community Safety, Roadrunner Food Bank, and the Veterans Integration Center to amplify our reach and deepen our impact. Whether we're running a spay and neuter clinic, grooming shelter animals, or helping a veteran bathe their dog for the first time in weeks, everything we do is rooted in the belief that healing is possible—and that no one should have to walk that road alone.

At New Mexico Veterans for Pets, we believe no one who has served their country should ever feel forgotten—and no animal should be left behind simply because their human is struggling. We operate at the intersection of two urgent crises: veteran suicide and companion animal abandonment. Our programs are designed to meet both human and animal needs simultaneously. We provide hands-on job training for veterans in grooming, animal care, and community outreach—giving them not only employment skills but renewed purpose. Through our mobile units and field teams, we deliver food, medical supplies, and essential veterinary services to unhoused individuals and their pets, many of whom would otherwise go unseen. We run regular grooming and wellness services at shelters, offer rides to VA medical appointments, and maintain a community food pantry for both pets and people. Every day, we step into the margins to serve those who are too often overlooked. With love, skill, and determination, we help veterans rebuild their lives and give animals a second chance at safety and dignity.