Getting to know your neighbor
Patty Mugan is the supervisor and transfer coordinator for the Valencia County Animal Shelter. She began volunteering at the shelter in 2007 and was hired in February 2009. She lives and works in Los Lunas with her 6-year-old daughter, Sam. Originally from Chicago, Ill., Patty moved to New Mexico in 1998 and adopted her first dog shortly after.
Submitted photos
Patty Mugan is the supervisor and transfer coordinator for the Valencia County Animal Shelter. Starting as a volunteer with the Valencia County Animal Shelter in 2007, Mugan was hired two years later. Since then, she has helped save thousands of animals from euthanasia through her work as transfer coordinator for the shelter.
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What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? |
A |
“Typically work. The transfers I have coming up, which animals are scheduled for vet appointments for medical issues and how we get euthanasia numbers down when so many animals are being surrendered. Getting dogs and cats out of the shelter to keep kennels open for new intakes never ends. I’m always trying to come up with new ideas and researching places for them to go. When you work in an animal shelter for 15 years, it becomes somewhat of an obsession if you let it. You can’t just turn it off. Believe me, some days I wish I could.” |
Q |
What’s a myth about your profession you’d like to bust? |
A |
“I’ve heard it so many times over the years that workers at open admission animal shelters ‘don’t care about the animals because if we did, we would just stop accepting new intakes if there was a risk of them being euthanized for space. I wish it was that easy. I can honestly say that our employees and volunteers go above and beyond to ensure the best possible outcome for every animal that comes in. The shelter is funded by the county. We aren’t allowed to turn animals away, regardless of the outcome for them.” |
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What were you like in high school? |
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“I did home school from sixth grade to graduation but I’d probably have to say I was very similar to how I am now. I am a ‘boots and jeans’ type of girl. Not worried about fitting in. I stand up for what I believe in and have worked full-time since I was 15.” |
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What is the best advice you’ve ever received and from whom? |
A |
“‘Never forget where you came from, don’t task someone to do something you wouldn’t do and do what is right, not what’s easy.’ A good friend of mine.” |
Submitted photo
Transporting animals from the Valencia County Animal Shelter is a passion for Patty Mugan, and she makes use of any transport methods available.
Submitted photo
Patty Mugan and her bestie, her daughter Sam, now age 6.
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What did you want to be when you grew up? |
A |
“I wasn’t ever that kid that had one particular job in mind. I always wanted to work with animals. I just wasn’t exactly sure if it would be on a ranch with horses, in a vet clinic as I did for a couple years or at a shelter. I have been at the shelter for the last 15 years and I’m happy where I ended up.” |
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Who inspires you? |
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“People who refuse to give up on helping animals and kids that are in need.” |
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If you could work any other job for one day, what would it be and why? |
A |
“Probably a dog trainer because we take in dogs with behavior issues that ultimately end up having to be euthanized at times.” |
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What do you do in your free time? |
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“When I’m not at work, we are typically traveling with our 6-year-old daughter or just at home working on things around the house. I am always responding to inquiries from the shelter, rescues, non-profits, and residents with animal issues.” |
Q |
What’s something about you most people don’t know? |
A |
“I wanted to get into barrel racing but was severely injured on a horse when I was 16 so it really made me reconsider that idea.” |
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What three books would you to take to a deserted island? |
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“Probably some type of animal-related books. When I was a kid, I enjoyed reading. Don’t read much these days unless it’s something for work or random things on Facebook. I can’t remember the last time I read an entire book.” |
Q |
You find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do? |
A |
“Build a beautiful new animal adoption center here in the county so we would never have to euthanize dogs or cats for lack of space again.” |
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Who is your best friend and why? |
A |
“My daughter. She is such a fun kid to take places and so easy going for the most part. She really makes my life complete.” |
Q |
What’s your favorite song to sing when you’re alone? |
A |
“I don’t really have a favorite song. I typically listen to country. Clay Walker, Cole Swindell and George Strait are a few favorite artists.” |
Submitted photo
Left | Pictured with the late James White, left, at a Christmas Eve adoption event in 2012, Patty Mugan, right, has worked for the Valencia County Animal Shelter for 15 years, making sure every animal that comes through its doors has a fighting chance for a future.
Right | Patty Mugan visits with a pack of pups during a Christmas Eve outreach event held by the Valencia County Animal Shelter last year.
Q |
Where is your happy place, and why? |
A |
“I love sitting out on the porch when it’s raining. It’s very peaceful to me. Coronado Island if I had to pick a favorite vacation place.” |
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Have you had a life-changing experience that led you to where you are today? |
A |
“When I went into the shelter in 2007 to adopt a dog I had seen in the News-Bulletin. She was a German Shepherd/Husky mix and no longer available when I got there. She had probably been euthanized. Over 15 kennels had red plastic clips on them that day. I had asked one of the kennel techs, James, what that meant. He told me those are ones that were going to be euthanized within the hour. Euthanasia rate during this time was in the 70 percent range. At first, I didn’t believe him and then I realized he wasn’t kidding. They were beautiful healthy puppies, some purebred dogs, cats and kittens, too. They were only guilty of taking up a kennel. From that day on, I began volunteering to drive animals to local rescues, Colorado and Utah several times a month. I was then hired about a year and a half later.” |
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What teacher had the greatest impact on you? |
A |
“My kindergarten teacher.” |
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What is your favorite movie scene and why? |
A |
“That’s a tough one, I can’t think of a favorite scene. Favorite movies would include ‘Top Gun,’ ‘Pure County,’ ‘End of Watch’ and ‘Secretariat.’”
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Q |
If you could have dinner with one famous person — dead or alive — who would it be and why? |
A |
“Princess Diana. I’ve always had somewhat of a fascination with her. She was so beautiful and so real.”
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Q |
What are you most proud of? |
A |
“My little girl and what I’ve been able to accomplish at the shelter in the past 15 years, which includes a large network of rescues, non-profits and volunteers. All of this combined has helped reduced euthanasia.”
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Q |
How would you like to be remembered? |
A |
“As someone who loves animals and kids, and refused to give up even when life got difficult.”
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The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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September 21, 2023
