Animals and pets: Many ways to help those in need during the holidays

Every year, the Las Cruces Bulletin publishes a series of stories on ways to help those in need in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County. The series will include many nonprofits that would welcome your donations of money, food, clothing and other items, and also your time as a volunteer.

• Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley brings in 9,000-10,000 animals a year, either strays picked up by city/county animal control or brought in by the public, or pets given up by owners. 450-500 or more animals are housed at ASCMV at any given time. To donate, see wish lists at https://ascmv.org/ascmv-donations/. Needed: KMR kitten formula, Miracle Nipples and soft swaddle blankets for bottle-baby kittens, large dog crates, doggie dental chews, soft dog treats, kitty litter, cat toys, sturdy leashes (for bigger dogs especially), towels and blankets (no filling). Mail cash donations to ASCMV, 3551 Bataan Memorial West, Las Cruces, NM 88012. Call 575-382-0018 to volunteer (Yoli Jurado) or foster an animal (Vanessa Chastain). Visit ascmv.org/adoptable-animals and facebook.com/ASCMV for holiday and all-year adoption specials. Please spay and neuter your pets.
• ACTion Programs for Animals (APA) needs cash donations the most this year, especially to catch up on veterinary bills. APA has rescued more than 6,000 dogs and cats since 2012, most from the municipal shelter. APA runs an adoption center, pet food bank, low-cost vaccination/microchip clinics, prison dog training program and a thrift store. APA Adoption Center, 537 N. Solano Drive, open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday; 575-571-4654; www.apalascruces.org. Second Chance Thrift Store, 2475 N. Main St., open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; donations welcome; 575-888-4882.
• Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary needs fleece throw blankets, Purina One beef or chicken canned dog food, Friskies Party Mix cat treats, Milk Bones (mini and small sizes), clumping cat litter, liquid hand soap, toilet paper, paper towels, tall kitchen trash bags, scented laundry detergent, Dawn dishwashing liquid, Clorox unscented bleach, disinfecting wipes, Ziploc bags (all sizes). Take donations to SHAS Thrift Store, 840 El Paseo Road, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Mail donations to Safe Haven, P.O. Box 16227, Las Cruces, NM 88004-6227. Donate at www.shaspets.com. Sanctuary: 575-805-5338, info@shaspets.com. Thrift store: 575-541-4942. Opened 1996, SHAS is a no-kill, nonprofit adoption center for homeless cats/dogs.
• The Cat’s Meow Adoption Center welcomes cash donations. 2211 N. Mesquite St., 575-640-0011, call 575-639-3036, email corella@zianet.com). Donate at www.thecatsmeowlascruces.com. Mail donations to The Cat’s Meow, P.O. Box 3166, Las Cruces, N.M. 88003. Adult cats, kittens available for adoption. Volunteers and foster families welcome. Cat’s Meow has found homes for 1,600 cats since 2014.