Community Newsletter
Monthly Animal Nonprofit Organizations Impact on Navajo Nation

June 2024 Report
The Navajo Nation Monthly Report for June 2024 highlights successful vaccine clinics, significant rescue efforts by Rez Roads Rescue, ongoing transport and spay/neuter programs, and the expansion of the Satellite Foster Program. Additionally, the team continues to engage in community outreach.
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In June 2024, the Best Friends Navajo Nation Program team continued their impactful work supporting pets and their families. They hosted vaccine clinics in Lukachukai, Tsaile, and Shiprock, vaccinating hundreds of pets and providing flea/tick preventative care. The team transported 73 dogs and cats to receiving groups, despite challenges from a distemper outbreak at Fort Defiance. The Satellite Foster Program expanded to the Phoenix area, and spay/neuter clinics were successfully held, servicing numerous pets. Notable rescue efforts included Chantal Wadsworth's Rez Roads Rescue, which saved 364 cats and dogs.
Vaccine, Spay/Neuter and Wellness Initiatives
Satellite Foster Program in Phoenix, AZ
Best Friends Animal Society has sent out a new foster recruitment message to a larger audience in the Phoenix area, and it's already seeing some success. The team has been corresponding with those who have signed up and answering questions from interested individuals and they've recruited a dedicated volunteer in the Phoenix area to help with foster coordination.
Best Friends Animal Society is also collaborating with PetSmart, who will share information about the foster program with their teams. Additionally, printed marketing materials are being created to be posted in select locations to further promote the program. The next update will share how the first fosters in this program are doing.
Rescue Spotlight:
Chantal Wadsworth - Rez Roads Rescue

Chantal Wadsworth, originally from Sanostee, NM, relocated to San Diego, CA, for eight years with her partner, Vernan Kee. During their time together, they developed a deep love for exploring and traveling across the Navajo Nation, frequently encountering stray dogs in need of help. Motivated to make a difference, Chantal began volunteering with Blackhat Humane and Turquoise Paw, as she was unable to foster animals at the time.
With valuable experience gained, Chantal established her own rescue operation, Rez Roads Rescue, three years ago after acquiring property in Shiprock, NM. A year ago, she achieved 501c3 status for her initiative, formalizing its nonprofit standing. In addition to personally fostering animals, she now oversees seven consistent foster homes.
So far in 2024, Chantal's rescue efforts saved a total of 364 cats and dogs, with 90% originating from shelters or animal control facilities. She is actively developing her organization's website and collaborates with 12-15 other rescues to rehome dogs under her care. Additionally, she is in the process of establishing her own adoption procedures.
One of Chantal's most memorable rescues occurred on Buffalo Pass, where she discovered seven abandoned dogs. Despite the challenge of three more abandoned dogs arriving during her efforts, she successfully rescued a total of ten animals. Among them, a feral dog named Acorn posed a unique challenge. Initially fearful and resistant to human interaction, Acorn's year-long fostering with Chantal proved transformative. Today, Acorn has overcome her fears, adapted to indoor living, and integrated fully as a beloved family pet.
Chantal continues to dedicate herself to animal rescue, driven by her passion for helping animals in need and ensuring they find loving homes. Her journey is a testament to perseverance and compassion in animal welfare.
Various nonprofit organizations on the Navajo Nation play a crucial role in pet rescue by facilitating the adoption process for unclaimed shelter animals. Their primary objective is to find loving homes for these pets and provide them with a second chance at life. Learn more about these groups.
Transport and Direct Lifesaving
In June, the Navajo Nation Program team transported 73 dogs and cats to receiving groups, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,365. This month's transport numbers were lower than usual because the Fort Defiance facility had to close for a couple of weeks to deep clean the shelter due to a distemper exposure. This led to fewer requests and many of our receiving groups were already full.
One notable case was Ziggy, a puppy rescued from Fort Defiance animal control. Just before he was set to be transported to a receiving group, he tested positive for distemper. The team immediately started his treatment, and he was hospitalized at Canyon Pet Hospital in Flagstaff. Thanks to quick action and immediate vaccination, Ziggy recovered quickly.
After being released from the veterinary clinic, Ziggy needed a foster home for two weeks as he was still shedding the virus. Fortunately, he had a home waiting for him, but finding a foster for the quarantine period was challenging. A special shout out to Melissa McCormic, Dogtown at Best Friends' Senior Manager of Behavior & Training, for stepping up to foster him during this time. The Best Friends clinic also neutered Ziggy, and he is now happily settling into his new home!
Various organizations on the Navajo Nation play a crucial role in pet rescue by facilitating the adoption process for unclaimed shelter animals. Their primary objective is to find loving homes for these pets and provide them with a second chance at life. Learn more about these groups.
Hometown Helper:
Cindy Yurth, President of Black Hat Humane

Cindy Yurth has been the President of Blackhat Humane Society since 2005. Blackhat Humane is a volunteer-based 501c3 non-profit organization operating in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, relying on around 15 active foster homes to support its mission.
In 2005, Cindy and her husband moved from Logan, Utah, to teacher housing in Chinle, Arizona. Cindy worked for 17 years at the Navajo Times, while her husband served as a music teacher at Chinle High School for 18 years before retiring. In 2021, they relocated to Durango, CO, where they continue to foster animals.
Their journey with Blackhat Humane began when they found a sick puppy on their doorstep in Chinle. With no previous experience with the Navajo Nation or animal rescue, this encounter marked the start of their commitment to animal welfare. Over the years, they have fostered 145 animals in their home.
Since January 2024, Blackhat Humane has facilitated approximately 200 adoptions into loving homes and currently supports about 60 animals in foster care across the three states. They actively promote their animals through platforms like Petfinder.com and host weekly adoption events in Prescott and Flagstaff. Notably, even the mayor of Flagstaff has adopted an animal through Blackhat Humane.
Cindy Yurth and her team at Blackhat Humane continue to make a significant impact in animal welfare across the region, demonstrating their dedication to rescuing and rehoming animals in need.
Upcoming Events

Navajo Nation Plant and Animal Summit: Restoring Beauty to Strengthen Resilience
August 6-7, 2024
Twin Arrows Casino

Navajo Nation Fair
September 2 - 8, 2024
Navajo Nations Fairgrounds
Ahéhee'
Together, we're not just making a difference;
we're transforming lives and building a stronger community.
Visit navajonationpets.com for more information