This nonprofit has a love of animals that really touches my heart. The staff and volunteers are dedicated to the well being of the animals in their care and are always looking for ways to make life better for them. The dog I adopted had been scheduled to be euthanized only 3 days before they rescued her. She still had plenty of life left in her! I am thankful for WMR’s mission to save animals from euthanasia and give them forever homes!
The compassion, dedication, love, courage and strength that all of the WMR staff, board members and volunteers have is enough to move mountains! They all work so hard for the animals that come to be in their care, finding them loving, forever homes. There's never an end in site for the WMR team.
Running the largest no-kill animal shelter in the state of New Mexico is tireless, exhausting, stressful, never-ending work but incredibly rewarding and soul-satisfying as well. From the Founder, Sophia & Sara, the Executive Director, to Anne and David at the adoption center, Nadia and Michael at the resale store and the wonderful kennel team; Kevin, Isaac & Garrett at the ranch... they all work extremely hard & are all wonderful people!
I want to give special mention to the WMR Clinic Vet Techs; Kandi & Rise! These two ladies are the backbone of the entire organization. Without them in our clinic, the ranch would not be able to take in the amount of animals they do nor would they be able provide so many animals with the medical care needed to stay healthy and find a forever home. The techs know every animal in WMR care, make sure they are healthy & if an animal is unwell, the vet techs do everything in their power to nurse the animal back to health. The knowledge these ladies have about dogs and cats (any many other animals as well) is outstanding! The fast-thinking and fast-acting from the clinic staff has saved multiple lives over the years. Their dedication, compassion & commitment to each and every single animal is so rare and beautiful. Kandi and Rise are shining stars and deserve a metal for everything they do, every single day out at Watermelon Mountain Ranch!
Please, the next time you see any of the WMR staff, tell them thank you for everything they do & every life they save!
I have seen the ranch rise from 8 dogs and a dozen cats to saving over thousands and thousands of homeless pets. 16 plus years of striving to help grow the ranch has been the most meaningful time in my life. I personally thank the ranch for giving me a home as well as all the countless animals that have been rescued through the years. It truely is "All who enter will find love"
I love volunteering at watermelon mountain ranch! Not only are they the states largest no kill shelter, they take animals from high kill shelters throughout the state so they are not euthanized. One of my most rewarding days volunteering at the ranch was when I was able to go to the Rio Rancho animal shelter and get four cats to bring to the ranch.
The ranch also helps people! Those requiring court ordered community service are welcome to volunteer to work off those hours. If people come and tell them that they can't afford to feed their pets, Watermelon will give them food!
I could go on and on about how great this place is and how it falls my heart with joy whenever I volunteer.
Watermelon Mountain Ranch is a great place to volunteer--and a wonderful cause. They do not have a lot of money--but what they do have is used in a fantastic way, and the sweat equity of the full-time staff and volunteers closes the gap. I have been volunteering almost every Sunday since April 2013 and have never had a bad experience. The dogs love the interaction they get from the volunteers and staff--and the only sad days--actually mixed emotions--is when a dog I become close to gets adopted out to a permanent loving home. If you want a rewarding experience--this is a great place to volunteer.