2000 Conference For The Animals

Animal Protection of New Mexico, Inc. (APNM) is bringing together the state's animal activists and caring individuals for the 2000 New Mexico Conference for the Animals on Saturday, November 18, at Hotel Santa Fe, 1501 Paseo de Peralta, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This year, APNM inaugurates the Milagro Awards, recognizing seven individuals, animals, and businesses for advocacy, courage, community service, and education promoting the compassionate treatment of animals in New Mexico.

This year's conference theme is "Organizing the Grassroots to Affect Public Policy." Skills workshops in the morning help people learn how to help stop animal abuse by changing public policy, working effectively with the media, and passing laws at the state and federal level.

Afternoon issues workshops focus on topics such as homeless pets, antivivisection campaigns, evacuation plans for animals in public emergencies, ranching and grazing, animal collectors, and the correlation between violence against women and animal abuse.

Workshop presenters feature representatives from national organizations such as Lisa Lange, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; Suzanne Roy, In Defense of Animals; Kenneth Shapiro, Psychologists for Ethical Treatment of Animals; and Julie Urbanik, Feminists for Animal Rights.

Speakers from New Mexico include many APNM staff experts, as well as Kate Rindy, Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society; Dr. Paul Ettestad, Department of Epidemiology; and Pat Wolff, New West Research.

Keynote speaker for the Milagro Awards Dinner is Kim Stallwood, executive director of Animal Rights Network and editor of Animals' Agenda magazine.

New Mexico notables will present handmade medallions to winners in seven categories: Advocacy, Animal Courage, Direct Animal Services, Humane Education, Media, Youth, and the APNM Board of Director's Award for lifelong commitment to animal rights.

For a complete schedule and registration form, contact APNM at 505-265-2322;
e-mail , visit , or write P.O. Box 11395, Albuquerque, NM 87192.

Animal Protection of New Mexico is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to advocate the rights of all animals by affecting systemic change which results in their humane treatment.

The organization's activities include advocacy, public education, legislative action, resource and referral services, and coordinating New Mexico campaigns with community, regional, and national groups.