Corrales shelter seeks public input
As part of its mission to investigate the feasibility of building an animal shelter/adoption center in Corrales, the Corrales No-Kill Animal Shelter and Adoption Center Task Force and the ASPCA will host an evening of “facilitated sharing and visioning” about animals in the community.
Corrales residents and interested stakeholders are invited to come share ideas and refreshments, Thursday, Aug. 21, 6-9 p.m., at the Corrales Community Recreation Center, 500 Jones Road. Interactive activities will involve brainstorming and envisioning possibilities. Please RSVP to CorralesAnimas@gmail.com.
Results of the meeting will be incorporated into the task force’s final report to the mayor and Village Council.
To date, the task force has been gathering data, interviewing key stakeholders, and researching possible collaboration with shelters in nearby communities. The architectural firm Animal Arts was hired to conduct a feasibility study and distribute a community survey.
The ASPCA this year added Albuquerque to the handful of communities nationwide targeted for special assistance with its homeless animal problem, and is providing information about models used elsewhere.
Following this month’s community visioning event, a workshop will be held by Animal Arts involving key stakeholders.
The task force is to submit its final report and recommendations to the Village Council by Sept. 30.
Animals rule again at Corrales Harvest Festival
The animals of Corrales are planning their most awesome Pet Parade
ever at this year’s Harvest Festival, Sept. 27-28 from the old Rancho de
Corrales lot, across from the fire station.
Humans are invited to bring pets of all species to walk in the parade
with a Dia de los Muertos theme. Rock your best Day of the Dead threads
for an 8:30 a.m. lineup on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Costume awards will be presented at 10 a.m. Other events planned for
the animal-centric fest include demonstrations from the Corrales Horse
and Mule People at the Top Form Arena (just north of the Rec Center),
adoptable animals from local rescues, and the crowning of the new
Corrales Pet Mayor on Sunday at noon.
The Ditch Pony Promenade will bring the most adorable members of the
horse community to the Top Form Arena on Sunday. This long-running event
for kids up to age 18 offers young equestrians a chance to show in a
variety of classes, free of charge. Founded by Dan’s Boots &
Saddles, it is organized with the Corrales Department of Parks and
Recreation and the Harvest Festival.
Events include both English and Western disciplines, driving, games
like the popular “big pants” race, and events for horses at least 15
years old. Helmets and boots are required, and everyone is responsible
for watering and cleaning up after their horses. Registration begins at 8
a.m., classes at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Melanie at
melanie@dansboots.com or 345-2220.
Music, art, hay rides, and food booths round out a weekend of events
organized by the Corrales Kiwanis Club to raise money for charities in
the Village. Visit the website for up-to-date scheduling.
Village dogs need dedicated volunteers
The number of volunteers helping Corrales rescue animals has shrunk to
an alarming level. The Village leases runs at Corrales Kennels to house
its stray animals, and here some dogs remain for many months, along
with dogs from nonprofit rescue groups that have no foster homes
available.
A dedicated group of volunteers has been walking the dogs for several
years, but the group is down to a few regulars, with many walkers coming
and going very quickly. Corrales is too far out of the way for many
volunteers to travel, but our dogs need human contact and exercise to
remain healthy and adoptable.
If you can commit to a regular schedule, even every other week, it
will make a big difference to how well the dogs survive being kenneled.
Contact Elisa at 980-3143 or elisa_diane@yahoo. com.
