A home for the perfectly imperfect

Not All Are Wanted.

The El Paso/Las Cruces community has an unprecedented volume of abandoned animals roaming our streets. They’re scared, hungry and often sick. Some may be rescued and adopted. However, illness, deformities, age or the emotional scars of abuse will prevent many of them from ever being wanted.

Yet these discarded creatures also deserve a place of refuge.

Our Mission: Dignity — Not Life in a Pen

El Paso and Las Cruces have animal shelters, rescue facilities and foster homes whose goal is to adopt out homeless animals.

We seek to fill a gap that does not yet exist here.

Tango’s Animal Sanctuary will be the forever home for the perfectly imperfect animals in our community. Here, the forsaken will be loved, protected and cared for according to their specific needs. These animals will never live in cages. Those who can will run and play. Others may simply find rest and peace.

They will never be abandoned again.

Who Are The Perfectly Imperfect?

The perfectly imperfect are animals with challenges that require expenses and time most people cannot give. These often include:

Senior animals

Animals with terminal illnesses

Animals with illnesses that require expensive ongoing treatment

Animals with disabilities (blindness, deafness, mobility issues)

Animals that have suffered abuse and require time to learn to trust humans

Animals that have behavioral issues due to long periods of abuse or neglect

Certain dog breeds that have been stigmatized

Large breed dogs

An animal at Tango’s might have any one or more of these challenges. But they’ll always have a loving home at the sanctuary where they’ll be safe, cared for and given the dignity they deserve.

“Very rarely do people say, ‘Give me the shelter animal that’s been here the longest. Give me the elderly kitty that needs diabetic medication. Give me the Great Dane that needs allergy shots every month and special food.’” 

Animals aren’t perfect, and neither are we. I want to give a home to the animals that aren’t going to be the focus of what people want to adopt. 

– Teresa Poulos, Founder

My Name is Teresa Poulos.

Many of you know me. Those who do know my heart for animals, and you know the work I’ve done — out in the streets, in your neighborhoods, what I’ve brought into my own home.

So many of the animals I encounter deserve better than what most people want to or can provide. And there are more and more of them every year. This is why my vision for Tango’s Animal Sanctuary is more needed than ever today.

I’m ready to expand, but I need your help. I cannot do it alone. Please be a special part of Tango’s next chapter.

Become a Founder

A Few Of Our Residents

  • Gracie

    Shy Gracie had been used as a breeding dog before she came into Tango’s care. She suffers tremendously from allergies, which cause skin irritation and patchy hair loss. To maintain her comfort, frequent allergy shots, baths with allergy shampoos and special allergy food are required. In addition to her expensive health needs, her size and color make her a less desirable choice for many pet adopters. So if the right person never comes forward, she will have a home at Tango’s for the rest of her life.

  • Sabella

    In 2016, beautiful Sabella was found outside with a litter of kittens (that passed away). Terry partnered with a TNR (Trap Neuter Return) group to have her spayed. Sabella became Terry’s first foster kitty, and her introduction to the desperate need of unaltered cats roaming the streets of our community. Today, Sabella is the “Gran Dame” at Tango’s and runs the show!

  • Dante

    Dante was found lying in the dirt on the side of the road, so frightened that no one could get near him.  He was carefully trapped, fully vetted and is now under the care of Tango’s Animal Sanctuary.  He has learned to trust and is a social butterfly who loves attention!  He’ll have a forever home at Tango’s if he isn’t adopted. 

  • Blake

    Blake is a kitten from a feral mama. He was diagnosed with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a severe immune disease in cats that, if left untreated, results in death. With the help of medication, a warm place to rest and loving hands to care for him, Blake completely recovered. Today, his survival reminds us how others like him might thrive if given the opportunity.

  • Cypress

    Cypress is a sweet, elderly, deaf pitbull. She was found in a parking lot, and her owner never came to pick her up. Her age, disability and breed make adoption less likely. But this precious pup will have a loving home at Tango’s for as long as she needs.

  • Emily

    Little Emily was a stray being fed at an apartment complex. After giving birth to two kittens, she was in very bad shape. At the vet, it was determined she had five stillborn kittens. Without veterinary care, she would have died.

    Through Tango’s, Emily found her purrfect home. Her new mom is retired, and they spend many hours together daily.

  • Railroad Annie

    This mama was found at the railroad in Santa Teresa, N.M., with her second litter of kittens carefully hidden under a cactus bush. We were able to humanely trap her and have her spayed and fully vetted. We also rescued her four kittens from under the cactus bush and found them good homes. Additionally, we saved the only surviving daughter from her first litter, who also now lives here at Tango’s. Left on their own, they would have all been prey to coyotes.