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Wednesday 11am - 4pm Thursday 11am - 4pm Friday 11am - 4pm Saturday 11am - 4pm Sunday 11am - 4pm

Watermelon Mountain Ranch

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Rio Rancho, NM
Watermelon Mountain Ranch

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Founded in 1996, Watermelon Mountain Ranch is New Mexico’s largest no-kill animal shelter.

For nearly three decades, we’ve given more than 200,000 animals a second chance at life—and a place to call home. All who enter will find love...

Watermelon Mountain Ranch was founded in 1996 by Lee and Sophia DiClemente whose love for animals continues to flow through the day-to-day operations at the Ranch. What began as a grassroots effort with a small dedicated group of volunteers has grown into New Mexico's Largest No Kill Animal Shelter, encompassing a 10 acre main campus facility, two resale stores, offsite adoption centers and various humane programs serving the community. These programs include our Canine/Feline Foster Care, Humane Education, Volunteers, on- site Vet Clinic, Lee's Retirement Village (for senior dogs), Don's Angel Fund (for injured animals), and our most successful program, Molly's Mercy Missions (saving animals facing euthanasia in shelters across the Southwest and Juarez Mexico). Since the inception of Watermelon Mountain Ranch, we have helped to save the lives of over 200,000 animals, placing them in loving homes and are New Mexico's largest no-kill animal shelter. Come visit us at:

Main Facility
3251 Westphalia Blvd SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Wednesday - Sunday | 11am to 4pm
**Last adoption and tour at 3pm
Near V. Sue Cleveland High School

Going to the Dogs & Cats Resale Store and Adoption Center
Cottonwood Mall, Upper Level near Mor Furniture
10000 Coors Bypass Blvd, Ste A201
Albuquerque, NM 87114
Monday - Saturday | 11am to 5pm
Sunday 12pm to 5pm (Last adoption at 4pm)

Petsmart - Cottonwood
10248 Coors Bypass NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Feline Adoptions Wed - Sun 11am to 3pm
Dog Adoptions Saturday 11am to 3pm, 2nd & 3rd Sunday, 11am to 3pm

Petsmart - Taylor Ranch
5600 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120
Feline Adoptions Fri - Sun 11am to 3pm
Canine Adoptions 1st and 4th Sunday, 11am to 3pm

Mailing Address
1380 Rio Rancho Blvd., SE Ste 374
Rio Rancho, NM 87124

www.wmranch.org

11/11/2026

💙❤️Today is Veterans Day, and we want to say Thank You to all of our Veterans, Human and animal, that have served our country. Without your sacrifices, we would never have as many Happy Tails to celebrate. From all of us at Watermelon Mountain Ranch, Thank you. 💙❤️
Visit wmranch.org/adopt see all of our adoptable dogs and cats
📍MAIN RANCH
3251 Westphalia Blvd
Rio Rancho, NM
Wed-Sun 11am-4pm (tours and adoptions until 3pm)
📍PETSMART - Cottonwood
10248 Coors Bypass NW, ABQ
Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (Cats)
Fri-Sat 11am-3pm (Dogs)
📍PETSMART - Taylor Ranch
5600 Coors Blvd NW, ABQ
Fri-Sun 11am-3pm (Cats)

11/11/2026

💚CUTE CAT ALERT! We have 2 fabulous kitties at PetSmart/Cottonwood, waiting for their forever homes!
1. Cheeto: 6 month old / neutered male / shorthair mix
2. Elphie: 2 month old / spayed female / shorthair mix
We hope to see you there today, finding your forever feline! 💚
Visit https://www.wmranch.org/adopt to see all of our adoptable cats and dogs
📍PETSMART - Cottonwood
10248 Coors Bypass NW, ABQ
Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (Cats)
Sat 11am-3pm (Dogs)
📍PETSMART - Taylor Ranch
5600 Coors Blvd NW, ABQ
Fri- Sun 11-3 (Cats)
📍Watermelon Mountain Ranch
(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)
PetSmart Charities

11/10/2026

💚Join us this Saturday, November 14th, for a Pop-Up Dog Adoption Event! We will be at Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church from 1pm-3pm, with adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes! We will share which dogs be attending this event on the evening before (but lineup may vary on day of event). We hope to see you there, finding your forever friend! 💚
Visit wmranch.org/adopt to see all adoptable dogs and cats
📅Saturday, November 14th 1pm-3pm
📍Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church
1801 Montaño Rd NW ABQ NM 87107

11/10/2026

We wanted to give a little shout out to Little Arrows Confections for the incredible cookies and cake pops they created for our Fur Ball! They went above and beyond on the decorating and the treats were absolutely delicious! If you need delicious treats for your events, we highly recommend them!

11/09/2026

💚HAPPY TAIL ALERT (part 2)! We had some amazing adoptions this past week, and so many that we have to make a separate post for our dog adoptions! Also, we still have many out on trial adoptions. We really hope they make them official! Thanks to these great homes adopting from our no-kill animal shelter, we now have new spaces for other cats and dogs looking for their own forever homes! We wish them all of the luck, and we will miss them all! 💚
If you are looking to find a forever friend like these wonderful people have, visit wmranch.org/adopt to see all of our adoptable pets, and be sure to visit one of our locations!
📍MAIN RANCH
3251 Westphalia Blvd
Rio Rancho, NM
Wed-Sun 11am-4pm (tours and adoptions until 3pm)
📍PETSMART - Cottonwood
10248 Coors Bypass NW, ABQ
Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (Cats)
Fri-Sat 11am-3pm (Dogs)
📍PETSMART - Taylor Ranch
5600 Coors Blvd NW, ABQ
Fri-Sun 11am-3pm (Cats)

11/09/2026

💚HAPPY TAIL ALERT (part 1)! We had some amazing adoptions this past week, and so many that we have to make a separate post for our cat adoptions! Also, we still have many out on trial adoptions. We really hope they make them official! Thanks to these great homes adopting from our no-kill animal shelter, we now have new spaces for other cats and dogs looking for their own forever homes! We wish them all of the luck, and we will miss them all! 💚
If you are looking to find a forever friend like these wonderful people have, visit wmranch.org/adopt to see all of our adoptable pets, and be sure to visit one of our locations!
📍MAIN RANCH
3251 Westphalia Blvd
Rio Rancho, NM
Wed-Sun 11am-4pm (tours and adoptions until 3pm)
📍PETSMART - Cottonwood
10248 Coors Bypass NW, ABQ
Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (Cats)
Fri-Sat 11am-3pm (Dogs)
📍PETSMART - Taylor Ranch
5600 Coors Blvd NW, ABQ
Fri-Sun 11am-3pm (Cats)

11/08/2026

Happy Senior Sunday! November is also Adopt-A-Senior month, and we're shining the spotlight on our incredible senior boy Skip! He's been with us since 2020, and it's time for him to finally find his forever home! This 55lb black lab mix is a bundle of joy, with a heart of gold and a smile that can light up a room! Skip lives for playtime, whether it's a game of fetch or a good ol' chew session. He's also a kid-friendly companion, perfect for families with little ones who love big dogs! Despite being a senior, Skip still has a spring in his step and a zest for life! He needs a home with a spacious, secure yard to run free as an only dog, and a family who can give him the kind of love and attention he craves. If you're ready to open your heart and home to a lovable gentle giant, Skip is patiently waiting! You honestly don't want to SKIP out on him; give him the second chance he deserves! His adoption fee is $75.00
Email [email protected] to learn more about Skip, waiting for you at our Main Ranch location!

Visit wmranch.org/adopt to see all of our adoptable dogs and cats
📍Watermelon Mountain Ranch
(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)
📍PETSMART - Cottonwood
10248 Coors Bypass NW, ABQ
Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (Cats)
Sat 11am-3pm (Dogs)
📍PETSMART - Taylor Ranch
5600 Coors Blvd NW, ABQ
Fri- Sun 11am-3pm (Cats)

11/08/2026

Thank you, Shelly Ribando KOAT! We loved having you as our MC!

11/06/2026

‼️‼️ ATTENTION GOOD HUMANS IN THE ABQ & SURROUNDING AREAS ‼️‼️ please SHARE this info far & wide!

Have you been wanting to help with the San Juan County / Northern New Mexico / Navajo Nation flood relief efforts but arent sure how? THIS IS YOUR LOCAL OPPORTUNITY to support those who have been affected, some losing everything 💔

Groundworks New Mexico is organizing a supplies donation drive + delivery mission to the affected areas. Please read the info below & SUPPORT this IMPORTANT cause ⬇️

"Our hearts are with the individuals, families, and communities across New Mexico and our region who have been impacted by the devastating floods, tornadoes, and other recent severe weather events. The scale of this disaster is significant, with severe weather affecting more than 20 counties, Acoma and Laguna Pueblos, and the Navajo Nation. San Juan and Rio Arriba counties are experiencing particularly devastating flooding, with families and communities facing significant loss and urgent needs.

Groundworks is partnering with the Albuquerque Community Foundation and United Way of North Central New Mexico on a donation drive to collect essential goods in support of communities in San Juan County and the Navajo Nation. We are collecting clothes, towels, blankets, pet supplies, plastic totes, and hygiene items to be distributed late next week. We encourage individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and philanthropic organizations in a position to help to consider contributing.
***This is a quick turnaround, so act now!***

Groundworks New Mexico expresses its deep appreciation to the coordination efforts lead by the New Mexico Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. - NM VOAD and all the organizations and agencies participating in NMVOAD and responding to the crisis with emergency response, food, clothing and supplies, shelter, and recovery operations."

⭐️ Additional items accepted through this donation drive:

🪥 Personal hygiene (toothpaste, deodorant, menstrual supplies, baby & adult diapers, etc)

🧦 Socks & underwear for men, women, and children in all sizes (new only)

👚 Clothes, especially kids coats (new or clean & gently used)

🛏 Towels and blankets (new or clean & gently used)

🐶 PET SUPPLIES such as: puppy pads, (clean) flat-pack crates, unopened pet food & cat litter

🗃 Plastic totes

DROP OFF LOCATIONS & TIMES BELOW!

An Amazon.com WISH LIST has also been created.
Link in comments ⬇️

Groundworks New Mexico will be distributing items in the Farmington and Shiprock areas on or around November 12, so act NOW! Learn more about Groundworks New Mexico at groundworksnm.org

11/05/2026

🥂 The Fur Ball is more than a gala—it’s a celebration of the lives we’ve saved together! Join Shelly Ribando and WMR’s incredible community of animal lovers for our 30th Anniversary celebration on November 7. From Steve Stucker’s Parade of Pets and an outstanding Silent Auction to dog and cat raffle baskets, a surprise NM Ballet Company performance, and a DJ for dancing, there’s something special around every corner!

🐶🐱 Come celebrate the past 30 years and help us change the next 30.

🎟️ Limited seating is available. Get your tickets before they’re gone: https://wmranch.networkforgood.com/events/104483-fur-ball-2026

Address

Rio Rancho, NM

Opening Hours

Wednesday	11am - 4pm
Thursday	11am - 4pm
Friday	11am - 4pm
Saturday	11am - 4pm
Sunday	11am - 4pm

Telephone

(505) 771-0140

Website

http://www.wmranch.org/

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