Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Week of 7/6/08 Humane Happenings


Central Bark in bloom

The summer rains have arrived in Sierra County as the folks who had to cross Ash Canyon last Tuesday after work were clearly made aware of. For over 3 hours that evening, they had to wait on one side of the wall of water rushing across HWY 51 and towards the lake further below, before they could even get to the other side and to their respective homes. Some miles away at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary, the human residents who are carefully keeping the new plantings watered could expect Mother Nature to finally do her part and share in the process.

Desert Haven is starting to actually look like the Oasis in the middle of the Desert Southwest that its founders envisaged some years ago. On May 14 1999, the papers were signed and the property was purchased by the Sierra County Humane Society, Inc. For those local folks who seem to continue to be confused about this, Desert Haven does not belong to any individual in particular. It belongs entirely to the Sierra County Humane Society. The volunteers who work very hard there year after year are not doing so for personal gain but, rather, because they believe in a cause they have embraced. Their only reward is the knowledge that they are doing their part to help make their corner of the world a better place to live for all creatures.

This week, “hats off” are in order to Erin, Deb, Linda, Freddie, Dolly, Jerry, Ron, Terry & his wife Sharon, John and his wife Kathryn, Jeanette and also Eliana. Everyone was involved in the huge job this past Tuesday as the small building where the thrift shop used to be located was in the process of being emptied.


Crew at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe

It’s been time-consuming and very tiring, but over the last few weeks, the crew has done wonders to insure that the job stays on track. At the same time, they also focus on getting new items displayed from Wednesday through Saturday, when Paws & Claws is open for business at its new location across the alley from Family Dollar.

Rufus, a very gentle one-year old black lab mix who also loves children, is the newest resident of Dog Town at DHAR. His military family moved away but could not take him along. If interested in a great companion animal, contact us at 575-894-2778.

Five terrier-mix puppies are also in need of a new home. While they could not be taken in at the facility, they are available through the SCHS Adopt-a-Pet referral program that Stan Brodsky is handling. He can be reached at 895-5551.

Bill and Mary Jane Clellan came through again this time, with their monetary donation to purchase much needed cat food. Pet food is always on top of the Wish List at DHAR, which this week also includes carpet remnants. If some of our readers are able to do so, consider volunteering at the new Paws & Claws thrift shop a few hours each week – We very much need your help this Summer.

For more information, please contact us at 575-894-2778 or visit us at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

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