Volunteers at Albuquerque Animal Welfare and Animal Humane New Mexico were among the 42 persons honored with MOVE UP Awards by Mayor Martin J. Chávez on Wednesday, July 22nd.  MOVE UP Awards are presented by the Mayor’s Office of Volunteerism and Engagement (MOVE). The “MOVE UP” award was established to acknowledge and recognize outstanding volunteers in the City of Albuquerque and surrounding communities. 

Honored for their outstanding volunteerism from Albuquerque Animal Welfare were volunteers Elaine Diers, who is a regular at almost every adoption event and Jenny Johnston, who not only is a fixture at the shelter and adoptions but is also good at finding homes for the many homeless pitbulls.

Several veterinarians were also honored for their contributions of considerable time toward shelter medicine and the spaying and neutering of pets.  They included Dr. Jen Swiderski, Dr. Shauna England, Dr. Cassandra Erickson, Dr. Amber Jennings, Dr. Sherry Moyer, Dr. Jessica Slack and Dr. Sonya Wesselowski.

Animal Humane New Mexico had two of their outstanding volunteers receive MOVE UP Awards.  Georgette Nichols, a weekly volunteer for more than  18 years and Sally Price, a surgical recovery volunteer in the veterinary clinic.