By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions

Do you still need a resolution for 2026? The fun and furry friends at Santa Fe Animal Shelter would love to see you. Plus, they couldn’t do it without you.

“As we step into 2026, we’re incredibly grateful for the community members who continue to show up for animals in so many meaningful ways. That collective care inspires us to keep finding new opportunities to connect beyond Santa Fe,” said Lex Gowans, Associated Director of Marketing and Communications. “For those looking to support animals our wish lists and donations remain open, and we look forward to welcoming community members to get involved through volunteering in 2026.”

Santa Fe Animal Shelter has a variety of volunteer opportunities from walking dogs to playing with cats and even making enrichment activities to keep animals engaged in play. Maybe you like to bottle-feed kittens, or puppies, foster animals that need a short break from kennel life or take dogs on an adventure called, Hounds Around Town.

There’s also a need to sit with dogs and sometimes puppies during an adoption event. Well, you can help spread the love in February as there are some adoption dates on the calendar. Trevor Stone and his team will be at some new locations in 2026. They kick things off with these events for February.

Upcoming Adoption Events

• 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Feb. 10 — Adoption Day at the Roundhouse hosted by Animal Protection New Mexico. Santa Fe Animal Shelter adoption event from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (right outside the East entrance) There will be an information booth outside the Roundhouse located by the adoption van. Registration and brief presentation will be hosted at the APC office starting at 9:30 a.m.
• 12–3 p.m., Feb. 14 & 15 — Meow Wolf in Santa Fe. “My Furry Valentine,” is the theme and finding fur-ever homes is the goal. They say you can’t buy love, but you can adopt it for just $14, excluding shelter heroes. Rumor has it that some free Meow Wolf tickets might be available. There has been confirmation that both events will include an animal kissing booth and animal speed dating. Come find the love of your life.

Shelter events always accept the donations of cat or dog treats or toys. Keeping puppies and kittens in mind is also one way to help spread the love to all residents at the shelter. You can check out a variety of opportunities or find the shelter wish list at www.sfhumanesociety.org.

Low-cost vaccine clinics/spay neuter clinics are coming up, but appointments are necessary.

Here is information on the spay and neuter bill.

Brunello was named just ahead of the Milan Olympics. Brunello is named after an Italian fashion house. Bruno for short, is a 5-month-old good boy who likes the bobsled and will be referring to it as the dogsled until the end of the games. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen

Valentina is a 6-week-old sweetheart of a girl. She’s a little too young for adoption, but available for foster, just call for more information. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen

Alice is a deaf puppy at Santa Fe Animal Shelter. She loves to chase balls and is working on how to hold two balls in her tiny mouth at the same time. She loves if you pretend you are going to steal the ball too. Soon she will visit the students at the New Mexico School for the Deaf. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen