Lobby Day, February 25, 2013

[Judy Prisoc]

In spite of the horrible weather (everything in Santa Fe was covered in a thick sheet of ice and major highways were closed) there was an overflow crowd attending Lobby Day this year.

I will start at the end, because that is when David Card and his dog, Taffy, appeared at the podium. Taffy is the little dog in the dramatic “before” and “after” photos on display during the press conference. Taffy was abandoned and in terrible shape when he was adopted by David.

The photo below shows Laura Bonar, Program Director, Animal Protection of New Mexico, with David Card and Taffy at the press conference with "before" and "after" photos.

Here (below) are two of the youngest animal lovers at Lobby Day. If I were a talent scout seeking child models or actors I would go to great lengths to sign a contract with these two.

A group of citizen lobbyists pose in front of the old Pera Building before heading over to the press conference.

This is Debbie Coburn, Executive Director of Four Corners Equine Rescue (FCER) in Aztec, New Mexico. In 2012 a record number of needy horses (59!) were fortunate to find their way to Four Corners Equine Rescue.

With increasing numbers of neglected and abandoned horses it is important for rescue groups across the state to share the burden, especially when there is a large seizure of animals. The New Mexico Equine Rescue Alliance (NMERA) works in coordination with the Four Corners Equine Rescue to help distribute horses to facilities that have room for them. Another group working with FCER is the Jicarilla Mustang Heritage Alliance (JMHA) working to help New Mexico’s mustangs. Four Corners Equine Rescue is located at 22 Road 3334, Aztec, NM 87410. Visiting hours are Saturdays from 1 – 4 and Monday through Friday by appointment.

Also making a presentation at the press conference was Arifa Goodman. She told the painful and hair-raising story of how she and her two dogs were caught in leg hold traps while hiking on public land north of Taos. Traps were available to see and touch (if you were brave enough). It is difficult to imagine a more horrific device.

Here is a photo of the press conference with Senator Jacob Candelaria speaking.

[L.R. Kastner]

Great reporting Judy! It was a wonderful and inspiring day! Onward!

[Bobbi Heller]

Felines & Friends was represented by me and Carla and were impressed by the attendance which we understand increased from last year.    We learned a lot about how to reach out to our state representatives.   Most impressive are the new breed of state politicians who are brave enough to introduce bills that aim to change the mentality of "we've always done it this way". 

[Julie L]

Thank you for the update.  I didn't attend but have been writing my senators and representatives.  Sadly I heard the No Shooting Contest Bill failed by 38-30.  Fingers crossed the others make it, from the trapping/poisoning bill, banning breed banning, and animal neglect bills.

[Judy Prisoc]

Thanks to all of the hard working, tenacious, patient and compassionate people at Animal Protection Voters; the senators and representatives; the volunteers and the citizens who came together to make this event possible.