Tails from the Shelter 2023
Athena’s Story: From Grunge to Goddess of the Range
In June of 2022, I took over as Executive Director of Stray Hearts and one of the first dogs I noticed was Athena.
Athena was a big dirty Great Pyrenees mix in the back of pod 4. This big livestock guardian dog had been at Stray Hearts for about a year by then and did not trust people at all.
Whatever experiences she had prior to then were not the best for her and there were a number of volunteers and staff that had been trying to work with her.
I introduced her to some of the freeze dried treats I give to my Pyrenees mix Darby. I was allowed into her space but touching or direct attention was not allowed according to Athena.
The next thing I noticed was her coat was in a really bad state. Because we couldn't touch her, it made basic grooming a challenge.
Taking a page from some AG work I did with livestock, I purchased a few coarse scrub brushes and attached them to the fence. Now Athena had a way to brush herself when she walked past.
Learning to work with her on her terms was a challenge for the entire staff, but we kept making small progress.
We got lucky one night.
In a restaurant in Taos Ski Valley, two of our volunteers, Elena and Richard were having dinner when they struck up a conversation with the people next to them.
They discussed their love for their animals and then Stray Hearts and how we are working to make things better. Then it was mentioned that they were looking for a livestock guardian dog for their ranch.
Elena quickly brought up our website and showed the picture of Athena. The very next day those same people were here in the shelter to meet Athena and fell in love with her.
The adoption paperwork was signed by the end of the week.
Over the next month our behavior and medical teams worked with Athena to get her ready for the trip to her new home by updating all of her medical records and shots while training her to get ready for the move.
Early in the morning of April third, the truck was ready to bring Athena to her new home, 14 hours away in Texas.
A special livestock trailer was customized with AC, cameras and fresh straw bedding for her journey to her new home.
Staff and volunteers came into the shelter early to say goodbye to this big special girl and see her off into her new life.
We have been getting regular updates from Athena's new family and within a short time frame, she made friends with the huskies and labs at the property and settled down on the porch and began her shift of guarding the ranch from coyotes.
She spends her days off running next to the side by side to swim in the pond and working with the ranch hands protecting the herd.
We all believed in Athena and that there was the perfect match out there for her. We got lucky and found some wonderful people that she fit perfectly with.
And we have other animals here that are looking for their family they perfectly fit with.
Make new friends if you can with a dog or cat here at Stray Hearts.
You may turn out to be the best ambassador for them that helps find their forever home.
- Liam Hughes, Stray Hearts Executive Director, April 2023
To learn more about Stray Hearts Animal Shelter's Foster Program
or to apply to be a foster parent, please click here!
Shelter Stats Comparison
April 2023 Stats
PETS ARRIVING
Strays: 8 cats, 89 dogs (52 are puppies)
Surrendered: 3 cats, 6 dogs
PETS LEAVING
Adoption: 17 cats, 14 dogs
Transfer: 4 cats, 66 dogs (51 are puppies)
Return To Owners: 15 dogs
PET CENSUS as of April 30, 2023
In House: 93 cats, 123 dogs
Leave a Legacy
Stray Hearts Angels
Do you want to help Stray Hearts in perpetuity?
Please consider becoming a STRAY HEARTS ANGEL, a member of our new planned giving society.
Our STRAY HEARTS ANGELS let us know they plan on creating a LASTING LEGACY by leaving an estate gift to help Stray Hearts after they’re gone.
And as a STRAY HEARTS ANGEL, we can help provide you with additional information and guidance on implementing a planned gift to STRAY HEARTS.
You can learn more about STRAY HEARTS ANGELS by visiting:
www.strayhearts.org/leave-a-legacy
Adoption Sponsorships
Stray Hearts Monthly Adoption Sponsorships
Do you want to help boost the number of dogs and cats being adopted at Stray Hearts?
Well, Stray Hearts is always looking for local businesses, companies or individuals to help us in our pet adoption efforts ~ and trust us, we could use the support!
One way to support us is through our pet adoption sponsorship program.
The idea is simple: you (or your business) sponsors the cost of a Stray Hearts pet who is available for adoption. That pet receives a number of exclusive benefits targeted to get that pet adopted more quickly (such as a special training session, social media exposure and field trips).
And in return, you (or your company) receive the positive public exposure of being instrumental in finding a forever home for a Stray Hearts pet - plus lots of good karma.
Interested? Questions?
Contact jason@strayhearts.org
Or visit us at:
To Quote Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On?
We have a couple of exciting MAY events:
May 1 - 7 - Toribio’s Mexican Restaurant Partnership! The entire first week of May, if you donate blankets, bedding, toys or food to Stray Hearts you’ll get a $10 gift certificate from Toribio’s towards some of their delicious food!
May 10 - Open training session with behavioral trainer Eva Perrigo. Email info@strayhearts.org for more information.
May 12 - 14 - Mother’s Day weekend plant sale fundraiser at ReTails. Email info@strayhearts.org for more information.
May 27 - Come see us at Walmart for our May Memorial Day “Stuff a Truck”! Email nik@strayhearts.org for more info.
Donate to Stray Hearts…and Make the Most Powerful Difference.
Donors are essential to the operation of nonprofit organizations. If you are passionate about advancing our mission of saving the lives of our four-legged friends, please consider a donation today.
Our ask today is that you continue to give generously, either as a one-time gift, a monthly pledge, or a tribute gift that allows you to donate in honor of someone special.
Regardless of which button you decide to click, your gift is greatly appreciated, valued, and contributes towards fulfilling the incredible and unique labor of love that Stray Hearts carries out every single day in Taos.
EVERY DOLLAR MAKES A VITAL DIFFERENCE.
Stray Heart’s GREASE! April Movie Night Fundraiser @TCA!
Stray Hearts hosted our first ever movie night fundraiser at Taos Center for the Arts on April 7!
Sponsored by Nusenda Credit Union, there was a special screening of GREASE! (with boisterous dancing and singing from the audience), tons of fabulous raffle items generously donated by Tractor Supply Taos, Ace Hardware Rio Grande, Cid’s Foods, Aji Restaurant, 5 Star Burgers and Blue Sky Pet Supply - as well as a star-studded guest appearance from Stray Hearts superstar Meatball in the lobby!
We had an attendance of over 214 guests, including NM State Rep Kristina Ortez, representatives from Nusenda CU, a Taos PD officer or two, surprise guests dressed as Frenchie and Rizzo, as well as folks from Taos Pueblo!
New Stray Hearts merchandise (tote bags, Kong toys, cat lasers, frisbees), free door prizes (keychains and collars), “hot seat” certificates from 5 Star Burgers, and a host of exciting raffle items (including a big 36” hardtop griddle) kept the action flowing!
Did you miss out on GREASE?
Well, that’s OK. But DON’T MISS our next TCA movie night fundraiser scheduled for Friday, June 2 @ 7pm: STAR WARS!
Thank you, Petco Love!
Stray Hearts is proud to partner with Petco Love (formerly The Petco Foundation). Stray Hearts is the beneficiary of a vibrant $15,000 grant from the animal welfare organization for pet life-saving needs!
Petco Love is dedicated to creating a better world for animals and the people who love and need them.
They continue to lead the way every day to harness the power of love to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier--and create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized.
THANK YOU, PETCO LOVE!
