AnimalVillageNM Acknowledged: Lt. Governor Morales & Devastated Community Recognize AnimalVillageNM.

During June 2024 fires and floods, when President Biden declared Lincoln County, NM a disaster area, AnimalVillageNM came through for evacuees, human and 4-footed! Refusing to evacuate, so that we could help animals in need- we began trapping and transporting displaced and injured animals, and reuniting missing pets with their evacuated owners. In between transports to Roswell where the nearest veterinary services were available while Ruidoso had no utilities, we set up an emergency booth in the Albertson's Market parking lot. As evacuees returned to inspect what was left of their homes and belongings, we handed out free pet food and supplies, created and distributed missing pet flyers, trapped and rescued lost and injured animals.

As the transport efforts were less needed and stores, food bank, and communications were restored and re-opened, we pivoted to the next step, and set up a table at the Willie Horton Center in Ruidoso. Working alongside the Red Cross, FEMA, Samaritan's Purse, and the SBA, and many others, we helped pet owners with information about pet services and designed missing pet flyers on the spot, emailing them to the owners so that they could print them out and distribute them.

AnimalVillageNM: The many emergency efforts for displaced and injured animals during recent fires and floods.

On August 23, 2024, AnimalVillageNM director and cofounder, Sunny Aris, attended the award ceremony with

mascot and former reservation dog rescue, Mountain Spirit, to receive recognition by the Lt. Governor Howie Morales, and the Lincoln County community coordinator of "Helping those Helping Others," Haidyn Hill, Miss Lincoln County New Mexico.

Left to right: August 23, 2024, ENMU-Ruidoso: Lt. Governor Howie Morales's representative, Robin Gibson, Haydn Hill, Miss Lincoln County New Mexico, Sunny Aris, AnimalVillageNM director/co-founder, State Representative Harlan Vincent, and AnimalVillageNM mascot, Mountain Spirit. During the ceremony, both a recognition commendation by Lt. Governor Morales and the Community Hero Award were presented to AnimalVillageNM.