Ferrary applause

State Rep. Joanne Ferrary, D-District 37, has been a progressive voice and agent for change since and before her election in 2016. Joanne has worked tirelessly to advance the cause of animal welfare for our community. In particular, Joanne was instrumental in the recent and hard-won passage of Senate Bill 57, the pet-label fee which will provide needed funding for low cost spay-neuter surgeries across the state. This is truly significant, because it will mean lowering intake rates at animal shelters and reducing euthanasia numbers by the thousands. We are grateful to Joanne, fighting for years as a legislator for the successful passage of this bill.

As a pet guardian and resolute advocate for animals, Joanne “walks the walk,” promoting best practices in sheltering standards and programming through coalition building. Joanne is well-acquainted with national organizations in the forefront shaping positive direction in communities for live outcomes for animals such as the No Kill Advocacy Center, Best Friends Animal Society, and Alley Cat Allies. Joanne has steadily advocated and lobbied for this programming in Las Cruces, visible over time in the reduction of stray-feral cat populations through the community cat-colony manager program and others, showing increased lifesaving and increased numbers of vaccinated, altered and micro-chipped pets.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, Joanne has been on alert to the needs of pets, ensuring veterinary clinics are open for emergency services and essential vaccinations. During this hard time, Joanne has been here to serve and represent us and our animals, which is something she’s been doing very well all along.