About Us

Who We Are

Animal Humane is a managed admissions shelter located in the heart of New Mexico. We believe that every adoptable animal deserves the love of a home; and every home deserves the transformative love of a pet. Through our community outreach and shelter animal transfer efforts, we help to improve the lives of cats and dogs across the state of New Mexico, providing support to more than 10,000 homeless and at-risk animals each year.  

Animal Humane is a private, registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We receive no federal or state funding, relying completely on independent donors and partners to continue our lifesaving work.  

What We Believe

Our Mission: To support and improve the lives of New Mexico’s cats and dogs through sheltering, adoptions, humane education and veterinary services. 

Our Values: Compassion, Respect, Accountability, Quality, Safety, and Stewardship 

Our Vision: We envision a society in which every animal is treated with respect and compassion. 

2025 At-A-Glance

%
Live Release Rate
Dogs & Cats Found Homes
Owned Pets Examined By Our Clinic
Spay/Neuter Surgeries
People Served Through Our Behavior Helpline
Students Reached By Humane Education
Free Pet Meals Distributed
Pets Fostered

More Than A Shelter

Board Officers

President
Michelle Garcia, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, THRP
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Vice President
Matthew Baron
Better with Baron at Keller Williams

Treasurer
Mark Santiago
TKM, LLC

Secretary
Carla Cay Williams
Community Volunteer

Additional Board Members

Nicole D. Abreu
Ardham Technologies, Inc.

Sonya G. Bellafant, Esq.
New Mexico Legal Aid

Joe Dworak
Spencer Fane LLP

Joel Esquibel
Edward Jones

Kalen Freed
Dekker

Autumn Gray
Autumn Gray Communications, LLC

Erin Gomez, CCUE, CUDE
Kirtland Credit Union

Brigid Harmon
Submaterial

Sohaila Jafarian, DVM
Jafarian Relief Services

Steve Osborn
Studio Southwest Architects

Meghan Pickard
Sandia National Laboratories

James T. Reist, Esq. 
Smidt, Reist & Keleher, P.C.

Kristen Renaud
The Renaud Investment Group

Lucas Shirley
Garcia Subaru-Cadillac-Alfa Romeo

Val Wilson
Animal Humane’s Executive Director

Key Staff

Val Wilson
Executive Director

Jessica Franco, CPA
Finance Director

Vince Mouser
Director of Facilities

Mike Petracca
Pet Pathways Operations Director

Pamela Weese Powell
Director of Development & Marketing

Dr. Adena Robertson
Chief Veterinary Officer

Sabrina Smith
Director of Human Resources

Nathan Thrash
Director of Lifesaving Programs

Jana Ward
Director of Thrift Operations

Erica Webb
Director of Outreach & Volunteer Services

Contact our Board of Directors at: Board@animalhumanenm.org