Thursday, September 11, 2008

Week of 9/7/09 Humane Happenings


Gene Trelewicz

Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary, became the recipient of a large set of wind chimes this past Tuesday. It was built and donated by local resident Gene Trelewicz in memory of his wife Mary, who passed away in 1997.

Gene became part of the DHAR work crew several months after the land was purchased by the Sierra County Humane Society in 1999. The work crew consisted at the time of Jerry and Eliana Aubin, Leonard Bullington and Chuck & Linda Davis. It was faced with a huge undertaking in cleaning up the five-acre property of accumulated trash and debris from many years of neglect, then in removing a dead orchard, one tree at a time, also taking down and removing an old dilapidated fence, post by post. Gene’s expertise was soon put to use and he became instrumental in sorting the newly acquired tools at the sanctuary, fixing them as needed and keeping them in good state of repairs. Gene also restored some of the older donated machinery that is now housed in the large, recently completed work shop located on the property.

Local school teacher Molly Williams is moving out of the area. We are asking someone in the community to help us fill the huge gap that this dedicated animal loving lady is leaving behind. Molly is special to all of us at Desert Haven. When she adopted Trisha, a young DHAR dog, Molly realized that she could help our cause in some special ways - and she did. Aside from helping care for DHAR non-human residents when the need is crucial, Molly also regularly picks up and launders the dog and cat bedding. A beautiful park bench that she donated in memory of her mother Bessie William is sitting under a group of mesquite trees at Rainbow Bridge Pet Cemetery, facing the Caballo Mountains. If any of our animal loving readers wishes to help take care of some of our canine and feline laundry, please contact Freddie Loveless at 894-2778.

This week, we wish to thank T or C resident Bill Rogers for taking the time to visit Dog Town at Desert Haven whenever his health permits. Bill walks some of our little dogs and they love the treats he brings for them.

Deb Peters donated the use of her vehicle as well as her time this past Tuesday, to pick-up a number of RV windows donated by CJ Ellis of Caballo RV Park. Deb, a former DHAR work-camper who became a local permanent resident a few months ago, continues to support the cause of the animals of Sierra County in many ways. She generously divides her time with her employment in town and the sanctuary’s extended human and non-human family which would not be complete without her.

Anyone interested in helping keep the grounds weed-free at Rainbow Bridge? This worthwhile undertaking could also perhaps become a team project taken on by small groups of local youth. We can use your plastic containers to help with sorting and displaying recyclable items at P & C and also in the P&C storage. Pet food, canned and dry, is always a high priority.

Bullocks receipts, a community service project of our local food store, are collected again through the Cash-for-Clubs program. This year, with the new retail giant in the area, the efforts of our animal loving friends in saving and collecting Bullocks receipts for the SCHS and DHAR are even more crucial since Bullocks is the only business in our area with a program such as the Cash for Club program. This program translates into cash that helps fund the SCHS Spay-Neuter program. Applications to receive a S&N rebate from our organization can be picked up at the T or C Police station, Paws & Claws thrift shop, El Rancho Poodles and Hot Springs Animal Clinic, a local business owned and operated by Doctor Cardwell, the local veterinarian. For more information our organization, please contact us at 894-2778 or 894-1694, or visit us at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

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