NMDOG Update: Nearing the End of Our Public Hiatus
As we approach the end of our public hiatus, we are pleased to share that this time of internal focus has been essential for the growth and sustainability of NMDOG. This pause has allowed us to strengthen our foundation, ensuring we can continue serving New Mexico’s Forgotten Dogs with the dedication and care they deserve.
While our external operations have been limited, our Statewide Free Straw program has remained active, providing vital support to outdoor dogs during the harsh winter months. For its 13th year, the NMDOG Statewide Free Straw Program is in full swing, and free straw is available at many participating locations across the state of New Mexico! Thanks to your generous contributions, we’ve been able to distribute life-saving straw insulation and resources, helping countless dogs stay warm and safe in freezing temperatures. To learn more about cold weather risks and safety measures for dogs, be sure to check out the January installment of Ask a Vet, available on our social media channels.
We know many of you are eager for updates, and we deeply appreciate your patience and understanding throughout this process. Please note that our website is still under construction, but we are working diligently to have it back online as soon as possible. In the meantime, we encourage you to stay connected with us through our social media channels for the latest news and ways to get involved.
Thank you for your unwavering support during this critical time of reflection and renewal. We are excited to return stronger than ever, ready to continue our mission of ensuring all dogs experience the love and safety they deserve.
What NMDOG is doing during this time 
Providing for the 14 Kiddos currently in the NMDOG #HomeSanctuary Program & their HS Care Providers Keeping our Promise to all of our #adopted Dogs = “Once an NMDOG, always an NMDOG” = we will ALWAYS be there for our own! Housing NMDOG Alumni &/or Home Sanctuary Dogs as needed Continued strengthening of the NMDOG Board in line with newly drafted Mission Statement, Vision Statement & Bylaws Complete overhaul of the NMDOG website (which will be placed on “Under Construction” status during the hiatus) Transition to NMDOG payroll & integration of our newly hired Social Media Assistant & NMDOG Fencing Assistance Program Manager. We have restructured the fencing program with a new name “UNchainMyDog” and have already begun building fencing for chained dogs. Keep your eyes peeled for the formal launch! Development of the NMDOG Humane Education Program Expansion of the NMDOG Outreach Program NMDOG Statewide FREE STRAW Program for its 13th annual season Continued work on the statewide Missy Trap project in partnership with CMM Lost Pet Recovery NMDOG succession planning, NMDOG 3 year business plan & our long-term Legislative goals Fundraising to support our ongoing outreach work & the Dogs currently in the NMDOG Home Sanctuary Program
If you have questions about NMDOG specifically, or need additional resource info, please send an email to [email protected] & look for the auto reply. An NMDOG Board Member will reply to your email questions about NMDOG, as we are able. #ForTheLoVeOfDog#QualityOfCare & everything we stand for.
XO,
Angela NMDOG Founder & Director
The NMDOG Board of Directors
Angela Stell
NMDOG Founder, Board President, Director of Operations, and original Founding Member of the Bernalillo County Animal Cruelty Task Force.
(Pictured with JoJo, NMDOG Co-Founder 2004 – 2016 
)
It was 2007, two years after JoJo (dragging his heavy chain) rescued Angela, that they answered their hearts’ calling together and began working in animal welfare. Angela’s first official position was as the Dog Cottage Caretaker at Watermelon Ranch. In 2008, Angela and JoJo moved to Colfax County, NM, as the onsite manager(s) for Colfax Pet Rescue. It was during their years at CPR that JoJo taught Angela “everything she knows about dogs,” accompanied her on every rescue mission, and worked daily with the rescue dogs as the Lead Canine Rehabilitator. It was in Colfax County that Angela began doing fieldwork and was often called out by the Colfax County Sheriff’s Office, as well as concerned citizens, to tackle the county’s animal cruelty problem, always with JoJo by her side. In 2009, Angela and JoJo UNchained their first dog “officially,” a German Shepherd named KING, and his was the first chaining cruelty case ever prosecuted in Colfax County. It was through this experience that Angela learned firsthand the extreme damage done by chaining, and she knew she wanted to devote her life to these Forgotten Dogs.
Also in 2009, Angela single-handedly spearheaded an investigation that shut down a long-time, extremely cruel Husky backyard breeding operation. That case was also successfully prosecuted. It was these combined experiences that laid the groundwork for her work through NMDOG. In 2010, Angela and JoJo returned to Bernalillo County with fierce determination and put their passion for chained dogs into action, and NMDOG was born—going door to door of houses with chained dogs, offering resources, education, and support in an effort to better their lives.
NMDOG Co-founder JoJo passed away peacefully at home with Angela in December 2016, at the age of 13. Angela carries on JoJo’s lifelong legacy today, with her continued determination and service on behalf of New Mexico’s Forgotten Dogs. Angela, JoJo, and NMDOG have been the recipients of many prestigious and coveted awards.
Award highlights:
2010 – Angela Stell, Outstanding Person in Rescue – High Desert Dog Magazine
2013 – Angela Stell, Animal Advocate of the Year – New Mexico Humane Conference
2015 – JoJo, Milagro Animal Hero Award, for exceptional intelligence and courage – Animal Protection of New Mexico
2016 – NMDOG, Non-Profit of the Year – Albuquerque Business First
2017 – Angela Stell, The Diane Lane Award – National Animal Control Association
2022 – Angela Stell, Shining World Compassion Award – Supreme Master Ching Hai
2023 – NMDOG, Best Non-Profit – Rio Rancho Awards Program
Aside from her love of dogs, Angela also has a passion for writing, classic muscle cars, camping/kayaking with her dogs, and the Grateful Dead. She continues to follow her and JoJo’s vision for the future of animal welfare in New Mexico, with her current pack of four: ROADIE, MESA RAIN, ROAN, and SPARROW.
Andrea Taylor LPCC, NBCC
NMDOG Board Vice President, Treasurer, Law Enforcement Liaison and original Founder of the Bernalillo County Animal Cruelty Task Force.
(Pictured with her NMDOG Home Sanctuary Kiddos JJ & TWIX )
Andrea (Andie) Taylor retired from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department in 2019 as a Captain, after proudly serving her community for 20 years. She has been active with NMDOG since 2012 when she founded the Bernalillo County Animal Cruelty Task Force. Taylor saw a desperate need for chained and abused animals to have a voice and advocacy within law enforcement. That is when Andie joined forces with NMDOG and Bernalillo County Animal Care to form the original BCAT. Not only did BCAT provide rescue and outreach to animals in need, but they also spearheaded criminal cases against those who maliciously confined and abused them. This task force and the trifecta of all involved were the first of their kind in the nation and offered the opportunity to spread education to countless law enforcement officers and citizens, not only in New Mexico but also on a national level. Andie believes that the four-legged citizens of any community need and deserve protection just as much as its two-legged citizens.
Shortly after retirement, Andie became a licensed mental health therapist with a focus on law enforcement officers and trauma. Currently, Andie owns her own practice and sees many clients daily, along with her co-therapists, NMDOG Home Sanctuary Dogs JJ and TWIX, who were both rescued from their chains in horrific cases of abuse. Together, they have healed and found unconditional love and trust. Today, they offer comfort, joy, and healing to Andie’s clients. It is truly magical to witness.
Andie has also been a mom to NMDOG Mouse, who passed away in 2016 surrounded by unconditional, pure love. Andie has been and always will be a proud pit bull advocate and feels honored to provide endless love and joy to these gentle souls. Andie is committed to the success and ongoing mission of NMDOG.
Martina Holguin
NMDOG Board Secretary
(Pictured with her GodDogs Beau and Elvis )
Martina (Tina) Holguín began working in animal welfare in New Mexico in approximately 2010. At that time, Tina was returning to Las Vegas, New Mexico, after being away for many years. Upon her return, Tina looked around her community and knew she needed to help. With no prior experience in animal welfare, Tina started volunteering with spay/neuter clinics, rescues, and at the local shelter. Tina found those who were providing responsible, professional animal welfare services in our state and our region and kept her eyes and ears open. From in-the-field outreach to chained dogs to assistance with surgery prep on a mobile spay/neuter clinic, Tina sought every opportunity to educate herself and bring additional resources to her community.
In 2013, Tina became the director of the AWC Pet Center, the animal shelter in Las Vegas, New Mexico. There was a never-ending flow of animals in need entering the AWC Pet Center, and the contacts Ms. Holguín built and maintained enabled her to find after-hours emergency care for animals in distress, transfer thousands of animals to other communities, and seek training and mentoring opportunities for staff. Whether it’s writing a grant or coaxing in a feral dog, Tina starts each day with a fierce determination to improve the lives of the homeless and neglected animals.
Dr. Kim Hamel, DVM
NMDOG Board Director and Program Veterinarian
(Pictured with her sweet pup, Eva )
Dr. Hamel is a New Mexico native, hailing originally from Santa Fe and later from Albuquerque. Her lifelong passion for animal welfare led her into the veterinary field. She completed her undergraduate work at UNM and went on to veterinary school at Washington State University, graduating in 2006. Since then, she has worked in multiple settings: general small animal practice, military installations including caring for military working dogs, and shelter medicine, including performing high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter surgery. She has helped develop foster programs for puppies and kittens and delights in raising orphan neonates. She enjoys general medicine and surgery, especially feline medicine and reconstructive soft tissue surgery. She was the medical director for several years at the state’s only donor-subsidized, full-service veterinary clinic for low-income qualified individuals. She enjoys problem-solving and helping connect pets and people with the resources that they need. Outside of work, she spends her time hiking, swimming, traveling, and enjoying family. Her home includes four cats, two dogs, and an axolotl.
Marshall Poole
NMDOG Chairman of the Board
(Pictured with his Dog, Teddy )
Marshall is a media and convention producer who has been the technical director of some of the country’s largest conventions, some reaching up to seventy thousand attendees. He is currently the Past Board Chair of the New Mexico Foundation, which works to improve the lives of all New Mexico residents. He was a founding Board Member and President of the Northeastern New Mexico Regional Community Foundation. Poole is also the former Board Chair of, and is still an active volunteer for, the Animal Welfare Coalition of Northeastern New Mexico. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Service Above Self Award from the New Mexico and West Texas Rotary District. Marshall currently lives with his beloved (and adorable) rescue dog, Teddy.
