Helping pets stay happy and healthy

There is something special about the bond between people and their pets. They greet us at the door, keep us company, make us laugh, and become an important part of our everyday lives. The Schumacher Grant is helping celebrate and strengthen that bond by supporting initiatives that improve the health and well-being of animals and the people who care for them.

Held within the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, the Schumacher Grant was created to support animal welfare initiatives throughout the region. Led by advisors Dr. Kyle Schumacher and Todd Harper, the grant brings together donors, community partners, and advocates who share a commitment to making a meaningful difference for animals and their humans.

One of the most visible examples of that impact is the annual Schumacher Grant Pet Food Drive.

For the second year, the Schumacher Grant partnered with Casa de Peregrinos to provide pet food to individuals, families, and organizations throughout Southern New Mexico. This year’s drive assembled 4,359 aid bags, more than doubling the 1,500 bags provided during the first drive in 2025.

The incredible growth of the Pet Food Drive reflects what can happen when a community comes together around something that matters. What started as an effort to provide 1,500 bags has grown into more than 4,359 opportunities to support pets and share a little extra care throughout our community.

But the impact of the Schumacher Grant reaches far beyond the Pet Food Drive.

The grant supports a broad range of animal welfare efforts throughout Southern New Mexico, including spay and neuter programs, animal rescue and shelter initiatives, search and rescue and law enforcement canine programs, pet programs serving seniors and veterans, and programs supporting people experiencing homelessness. It also recognizes the importance of expanding access to veterinary care and strengthening the resources available to those working in veterinary and pet-related fields.

Each of these efforts contributes to a larger vision for animal welfare, one where pets can be healthy, cared for, and able to remain an important part of the lives of the people who love them.

Dr. Kyle Schumacher reflects on the grant’s growth and the impact of its partnership with CFSNM.

“The Schumacher Grant began as a very small idea, a way to provide local support through basic veterinary care, offering a hand up to those less fortunate,” he said. “Partnering with the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has allowed us to grow responsibly, reach further, and build something lasting, a fund rooted in compassion, community, and action. Together, we are creating a bridge between urgent need and meaningful impact, for animals, for the people who love them, and for those who serve our community every day.”

The Pet Food Drive is a wonderful example of that vision in action. Behind every bag of pet food is a network of people who choose to contribute their time, resources, and energy to something bigger than themselves. Schumacher Vet Clinic and Casa de Peregrinos helped bring the drive together, while generous donors and volunteers helped make it possible to reach thousands of pets throughout the region.

A special recognition goes to Nancy, who generously volunteered her time to coordinate the Pet Food Drive. She was present for every packing and distribution day throughout the two-month effort, helping keep everything moving and ensuring the drive reached its incredible milestone.

Her dedication represents the spirit that made this year’s effort possible. From the people who donated resources to those who spent hours packing bags, every contribution played a part in bringing this vision to life.

That effort is what makes the growth of this year’s Pet Food Drive so meaningful. More than 4,359 aid bags are not simply a measure of what was accomplished, they represent thousands of moments of connection and care.

The Schumacher Grant continues to show how philanthropy can create meaningful and lasting impact when it is rooted in a genuine commitment to the community. Through its support of animal welfare, it is helping organizations provide important services, creating opportunities for collaboration, and giving people throughout Southern New Mexico more ways to care for the animals who mean so much to them.

The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico is deeply grateful to the Schumacher Grant for its continued investment in our community and for the incredible impact it is making for animals and their humans. We are also grateful to Casa de Peregrinos, Nancy, the volunteers, donors, and community partners who helped make this year’s Pet Food Drive possible.

From 1,500 bags in its first year to more than 4,359 this year, the growth of the Pet Food Drive is a beautiful example of what can happen when generosity meets purpose.