About APAS
Our Mission
The mission of the Animal Protective Association of Socorro is to prevent cruelty to animals; to relieve suffering among animals; to educate children and adults of all ages; and to promote spaying and neutering programs as a means of controlling the companion animal population.
Our Relationship with the City of Socorro
APAS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. In conjunction with the City of Socorro Animal Shelter we work as volunteers of APAS to help find homes for homeless animals and to reunite lost pets with their owners.
Technically, APAS and the City of Socorro are two separate entities. The City owns the shelter and funds its operation (utilities, office supplies, etc.) and APAS operates under a contract with the City to provide support services. In the end, it is a concerted effort to care for and place as many homeless animals as possible and reunite lost animals with owners.
Our History
APAS's humble beginning came about in the 1960's with a couple of volunteers selling recyclable goods for money to fund shelter activites, and a chain link fence in the same location the current shelter stands today.
The first kennel building to be constructed at the site (and currently the oldest), was constructed in 1980. The trailer that houses the shelter office was donated by Socorro County in 2000, and in early 2003, the City of Socorro funded the new kennel building. This building was a huge improvement for the care and comfort of the animals, providing radiant floor heat for cold weather, skylights for a brighter interior, and indoor/outdoor kennel areas for the dogs. The cattery is now separate from the kennel room and the cats have a much more peaceful environment in which to live.
Renovations to the oldest building (built in 1980) has been completed and will provide segregated kennels for arriving animals. We hope to reduce the spread of illness among dogs at the shelter by segregating new arrivals until health issues are assessed.