Meet 2025 GAAR Good Neighbor Lanya Androlewicz

For more than 25 years, Lanya Androlewicz has dedicated countless hours to improving the lives of animals throughout New Mexico. As President of the People's Anti-Cruelty Association (PACA), her commitment to animal welfare extends far beyond advocacy—it is rooted in hands-on service, community outreach, and creating opportunities for both animals and people to thrive.

As a 2025 GAAR Good Neighbor recipient, Lanya is being recognized for her extraordinary commitment to volunteer service and her ongoing efforts to create a more compassionate community for animals and people alike.

Since joining PACA in 1999, Lanya has fostered hundreds of rescue dogs, providing them with safe, loving homes while they wait to be adopted. Through each foster experience, she has helped animals overcome challenges, build trust, and transition into permanent homes. Her work has not only changed the lives of countless dogs but has also strengthened PACA's ability to serve the community through its rescue efforts.

In addition to fostering, Lanya leads community outreach initiatives designed to connect potential adopters, volunteers, and supporters with PACA's mission. Through educational events and public engagement, she has helped build a strong network of advocates dedicated to animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

One of Lanya's most impactful accomplishments is the creation of the PAZ Project, an innovative partnership between PACA and a juvenile detention center. The program pairs rescue dogs with youth participants, providing the animals with training and socialization while giving the young people an opportunity to develop responsibility, compassion, and life skills. Built around research showing the connection between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence, the program demonstrates how animal welfare initiatives can create meaningful change far beyond the shelter environment.

Behind the scenes, Lanya also plays a critical role in ensuring PACA's long-term success. She works closely with fellow volunteers and board members to manage budgets, secure resources, support spay and neuter initiatives, and ensure animals receive the veterinary care they need. She is also heavily involved in recruiting and supporting foster families, providing training, guidance, and ongoing assistance to help both animals and volunteers succeed.

For Lanya, the reward comes from seeing lives transformed—whether it's a rescue dog finding a forever home, a foster family discovering a passion for animal welfare, or a young person gaining confidence through the PAZ Project.

Her unwavering dedication to serving animals and the community embodies the spirit of the Good Neighbor Award. Through her leadership, compassion, and decades of volunteer service, Lanya has made a lasting difference in the lives of countless animals and the people who care for them.