Who We Serve

Three Frontlines—and the Road Ahead

At New Mexico Vets for Pets, we serve three primary communities—each deeply impacted by economic hardship, social isolation, and systemic neglect. Our work is built on the belief that healing, stability, and dignity must be available to everyone, not just the well-resourced or well-connected. Each population we serve is part of a broader circle of care—interconnected, resilient, and often invisible.

Veterans

We serve veterans across the spectrum—those facing instability, those rebuilding their lives, and those in a strong place who want to give back. Whether seeking a new career path, therapeutic engagement, or community connection, veterans find in us a place of purpose and opportunity. Our grooming salon, field teams, and future training cohorts are built with veterans at the center.

Companion Animals in Crisis

We serve animals that would otherwise be forgotten: those waiting in shelters, living in encampments, or surviving abandonment. Many just need grooming or a bit of triage care to become adoptable. Others need consistent attention to prevent suffering in the field. We deliver food, clean water, grooming services, and urgent care to animals in partnership with public agencies and shelter systems—always with the goal of saving lives and building trust.

People Experiencing Housing or Food Insecurity

We care for the animals that live with and support people experiencing homelessness or poverty. Through our partnerships with Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) and Roadrunner Food Bank, we deliver services where they’re needed most: directly in the field. This support often strengthens the human-animal bond—one of the few sources of companionship and protection many people have in crisis.

 

We Hope to Serve Next

As our program matures, we plan to expand access to three additional populations in need of healing, structure, and opportunity:

Sheltered Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Domestic violence survivors often face disrupted employment histories and a high risk of re-victimization. Job training programs that include hands-on, therapeutic animal work can offer safe, affirming pathways to economic independence and self-confidence.

Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

Despite improvements in state services, many youth still exit the foster system without adequate housing, employment, or community support. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 20% of youth become homeless upon aging out, and nearly 50% face unemployment within four years. This puts them at high risk for trafficking, incarceration, or long-term poverty. We aim to provide early, structured job training and mentorship to disrupt this cycle.

Non-Violent Women Returning from Incarceration

Reentry is one of the most vulnerable transitions a person can face. For women returning from incarceration, employment is one of the strongest protective factors against recidivism. National studies show that women who participate in job training and workforce programs have a 40–60% lower chance of returning to prison than those who do not. Our model offers both skill-building and connection to a supportive community—key ingredients for long-term success.

Together, these six populations form the heart of our mission. This is not just about animal welfare or veteran support—it’s about building a new kind of care infrastructure, rooted in service, equity, and transformation.