Watermelon Mountain Ranch

Mission

The mission of Watermelon Mountain Ranch is to make a positive difference in the lives of abandoned, abused and unwanted animals through rescue, recovery, compassionate care and permanent placement into loving homes. It is our belief that all living creatures should be treated with respect therefore we promote the positive benefits of the animal and human bond through children's education, interactive and therapeutic programs.

Programs

Mobile Adoption ProgramVolunteers transport our animals into the community in an effort to help make it easier for citizens to meet and adopt our available dogs and cats. We hold mobile adoptions 7 days a week at all Albuquerque Petsmarts and participate in many additional local events. Animal Outreach Program with the Juvenile Justice DepartmentAs part of a community service program, teens at risk arrive each weekend at WMR mobile adoption sites to help groom, exercise and provide affection for the many homeless animals that are available for adoption. The teens take great pride in showing the animals to perspective adopters and their greatest hope is that the animals will go to a permanent home at the end of the day. This program helps the participants learn the value of compassion along with the importance of responsible pet ownership. Nine out of ten participants return to continue weekly to help the even more animals find homes.Albuquerque Public Schools Special Needs ProgramEach week a group of special needs students from Albuquerque Public Schools visit Watermelon Mountain Ranch and interact with the animals. The children experience the joy of being around the animals and the unconditional love that each has to give as well and learn skills that will help them as they transition into society. Don's Angel Fund for Injured AnimalsDon Johnson was a beloved Animal Control Officer in Sandoval County who dedicated his life to the animals. Don was tragically killed in an automobile accident on the night of his retirement party after working as an ACO for 12 years. In his memory we have started Don's Angel Fund, which helps provide necessary care for injured or sick animals that are brought to the Ranch.Humane Education programs are taught in local and Pueblo schools. It is crucial to address issues of being kind to animals and helping to break a cycle of abuse. Many of these are "at risk"children. There are numerous studies that show violence committed against animals by children can escalate to other more serious crimes as adults. Additionally we stress the importance of altering pets along with responsible care for them