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Juvenile Justice

Animal Welfare Program

Troubled teens from juvenile justice programs participate in our outreach program benefiting homeless animals.

As part of a community service program, teens arrive each week at Watermelon Mountain Ranch to help clean, groom, exercise and provide affection for the many homeless animals that are available for adoption.

Their greatest hope is that the animals will go to a permanent home at the end of the day. When a placement is made, it is a celebration for all. This program helps the participants learn the value of compassion along with the importance of responsible pet ownership. When the teens have completed their community service time, nine out of ten participants return to volunteer.

Watermelon Mountain Ranch Animal Shelter

Guidelines for participation in the program:

  • The Ranch is open to court-ordered or program-ordered hours 7 days a week between 9am and 4pm.

    • If the participant is under the age of 16 a parent/guardian must be on property while hours are being completed​.

  • Please bring whatever paperwork the program has provided with you each day you arrive to the Ranch.​

  • No smoking on the facility grounds and no ear buds/headphones while you are completing your service hours.

  • Please show respect for our animals and our ranch team members

    • Follow all direction from the Ranch team while performing designated tasks at the property. 

  • If you are going to be at the Ranch for an extended period of time please bring water & snacks/lunch​.

  • Please be in comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting dirty in and wear closed-toed shoes.

  • No friends or significant others are allowed while you are performing your hours.

Please contact our volunteer coordinator at 505-267-6227 or volunteerTeamWMR@gmail.com for more information or questions. 

This was a very good experience for me because it showed me that doing good felt a lot better than doing bad".  

-Program participant 

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Watermelon Mountain Ranch 
Main Campus

(Across from Cleveland High School)
3251 Westphalia Blvd. NE 

Rio Rancho, NM 87144 
505-221-2359

Wed-Sun 11am-4pm
(adoptions and tours until 3pm)

Mailing Address:
(Please use for all correspondence)

Watermelon Mountain Ranch
1380 Rio Rancho Blvd., SE

Ste. 374
Rio Rancho, NM 87124

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Going to the Dogs (& Cats) 
Resale Shop & Adoption Center

Cottonwood Mall (Upper Level next to MOR Furniture. Use the main entrance across from Texas Roadhouse)

10000 Coors Bypass NW

ABQ NM 87114

505-867-5347 

Mon-Sat 11-5pm. Sun 12-5pm

(adoptions until 4pm)

Going to the Dogs (& Cats)

Resale Shop 
136 Calle de Presidente
Bernalillo, NM 87004
505-850-2578

Wednesday to Saturday

11am to 4pm

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PETSMART - Westside

10248 Coors Bypass NW 

Albuquerque, NM 87114 

Wed-Sun 10-5 (Cats)

Sat 11-3 (Dogs)

PETSMART - Taylor Ranch
5600 Coors Blvd NW
ABQ, NM 87120
Fri- Sun 11-3 (Cats)

1st & 4th Sunday of the month 11am-3pm (Dogs)

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Watermelon Mountain Ranch, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is New Mexico's Largest No-Kill Animal Shelter for homeless pets providing adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs including Molly's Mercy Missions. © 2025 Watermelon Mountain Ranch. All Rights Reserved. EIN: 85-0480585

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