APV Supporter, this is a stunning victory for New Mexico's animals and our families! Honestly, I can hardly believe it. Together with invaluable allies and fellow New Mexicans brave enough to tell their stories and take a stand, we have been working to restrict traps, snares, and poisons for countless years. If New Mexico had access to a citizen ballot initiative process like in Colorado and Arizona, I bet our state would have joined them in banning these devices decades ago. But instead, the bill has had to fight its way through the legislative process year after year—at times, it felt like an almost impossible task. But in November 2018, a tragedy changed everything. A sweet senior dog, Roxy, was strangled to death in a neck snare on public land. The story shocked everyone across the state, and there was a groundswell of support for preventing needless suffering on our public lands. In her memory, we nicknamed the bill "Roxy's Law" and we charged forward with doubled efforts. Countless advocates like you made phone calls, sent emails, wrote letters to the editor, signed and circulated petitions, organized, contributed talents, and never gave up—and it worked. The Wildlife Conservation & Public Safety Act (Senate Bill 32) will officially become law, thanks to "yes" votes of 58 state legislators and the signature of our visionary Governor. This win will usher New Mexico into a new era of not only safe public lands for families and dogs like Roxy, but also trap-free habitats where thousands of unnamed wildlife will be able to live. Four amazing state legislators led the charge as the bill's sponsors. I hope you'll take a moment to send them a special thank you, too: Senator Bobby Gonzales (D-Ranchos de Taos), Senator Brenda Mckenna (D-Corrales), Representative Matthew McQueen (D-Galisteo), and Representative Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos). Each of them has done everything from shaping the bill's language to defending the bill in contentious committee and floor debates over the years, and we are immensely grateful to them for their leadership, resilience, and compassion. Our work this year was made possible by your support—and our work does not stop here. We are often up against well-funded, powerful opposition but we know animal protection has the support of people power. Stick with us. We can enact more desperately needed change for animals. Help us change the laws and fight for a humane New Mexico. Together, we can achieve the impossible. For Roxy, Jessica Johnson
Chief Government Affairs Officer |
