Viewpoint by Lois Reaver-Black

NOTE: This column was originally published in The Sentinel newspaper and the author has graciously granted permission to share it here.

This past week, we took a picnic and went to Percha Dam Park. On the way back, we stopped at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. Although it has been there quite a while, we had not visited there previously. It was a great place, and I encourage you, if you like animals, to stop in there on a Tuesday, which is visiting day.

We saw large enclosures for each dog—there were twelve dogs awaiting adoption—and each dog is walked twice daily, and the dogs seem happy. I am a dog person and was very pleased to see how well they are taken care of. There was no barking and the dogs all came up to visit with us and give us kisses through the fence. Each one has his or her own dog house, and the whole area was scrupulously clean. There were 23 cats in the cat enclosure. They are all together in a large fenced area, and there are many things for them to do, including climbing places and tunnels to explores. We went into the enclosure and petted many of the cats. They were all friendly and many of them just opened their eyes to see what was going on, then continued their naps. We saw bunnies, guinea pigs, doves, peacocks and even chickens. Probably there were others, too.

The entire place was clean and very well done. There was no smell as the whole area is cleaned every day. Volunteers do everything that is done here. Nobody is a paid employee. Eliana Aubin began the Refuge, but the entire place belongs to The Desert Haven, and even Eliana, who is there all the time, gets no salary.

There is a small RV campground right at the road, and those who park there pay their rent by working at the refuge. There is also a nice pet cemetery and a small fee is charged for each plot. Other than that, the Refuge is financed mainly by the Paws & Claws thrift store, donations and adoption fees. All the animals are sterilized and there is a good relationship with Dr Cardwell, our local veterinarian.

I encourage you to stop in to see what is going on. I am surely glad I did. It was great to see all these well cared for, healthy animals, and I congratulate Eliana and all the volunteers who make this possible. If you like animals, volunteer to help, as volunteers are always needed, and everything is done by them, including constructing the enclosures.
Lois Reaver-Black—T or C

Lois Reaver-Black is a former Truth or Consequences City Commissioner. A civic-minded individual involved in several local service organizations, Mrs Reaver-Black is dedicated to help make her community a better place to live.