Mailing Address ONLY:
1512 Deborah RD SE #203
Rio Rancho, NM 87124

Telephone: 
505-771-0140
Toll-free Fax:
866-664-5967

For more information,
e-mail us at: wmranchnm@aol.com

The Need
A no-kill animal facility in New Mexico was the dream of Sophia and Lee Di Clemente in early 1996, shortly after they moved to the area. There were thousands of lost, abandoned, and stray animals being euthanized every year in New Mexico. Watermelon Mountain Ranch was conceived several years later, and a group of like-minded volunteers began to rescue and find homes for animals in Sandoval county and Albuquerque. Since that time, our rescue efforts have expanded to most of the counties in central and northern New Mexico. From its small beginnings to the present time, Watermelon Mountain Ranch has rescued and adopted out into loving homes thousands of animals. The dream has become a reality, and Watermelon Mountain Ranch is one of the premier not-for-profit facilities in the Southwest.

Community Involvement
Watermelon Mountain Ranch has worked hard to involved the local community leaders and youth organizations such as 4H in an effort to reduce pet overpopulation through education. Programs for youth volunteering at adoption sites and at the Ranch working with the animals has made a lasting impression in their lives. In phase three of our building plan, Watermelon Mountain Ranch will construct a learning center dedicated to educating young people to understand and love animals so that they can take this knowledge to the community. By doing this, pet overpopulation will begin to diminish, and spay/neuter will become more widely accepted.

Animal Organization Support
Watermelon Mountain Ranch is working very closely with other animal groups. We are pleased and proud to have the support and offers of assistance from:

New Mexico Animal Friends
Helen Woodward Center, CA
Española Animal Shelter/NNMAPS
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, UT
City of Rio Rancho Animal Control
Town of Corrales Animal Control
Sandoval County Animal Control
Animal Amigos
McKinley Animal Control
Black Hats Rescue - Gallup
Artesia Animal Control
Alamogordo Animal Control
Breed Specific Rescue Groups
Valencia County Animal Rescue
Quixote Animal Rescue
Felines and Friends

Our plans are to have a local coalition of animal groups based at the Ranch to provide us with the benefit of their years of experience and for us to provide them with boarding and runs. Watermelon Mountain Ranch is a member in good standing of the Humane Society of the U.S. and the American Humane Association.

Proposed Facilities
Watermelon Mountain Ranch, when completed, will have six canine cottages, housing 36 to 48 dogs each; three feline cottages; a learning center; nondenominational chapel; in-house spay/neuter clinic; and administration facilities. Most of the buildings to house animals are modeled on the world-famous Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. Best Friends is a shelter partner of Watermelon Ranch, and has provided the plans for our buildings. Watermelon Mountain Ranch is located on 10 acres in northern Rio Rancho. Our site will allow for future expansion, including the development of a therapeutic riding facility.

The photo on the left shows a "cottage" at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, in Utah. On the right is a Best Friends' cat cottage. We plan to incorporate some of the Best Friends' concepts at Watermelon Mountain Ranch. Click Photo to enlarge.

Governor Proclamation

Former WMR Director Julien McRoberts
with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.
Click on Photo to view Proclamation